 | ISBN: 978-1-56549-195-3 $69.95 | |
| ISBN: 978-1-56549-194-6 $26.50 | ||
| 2004/209 pages/LC: 2004018655 A Kumarian Press Book | ||
Examples of peacebuilding often center on the serious, rational negotiations and formal problem-solving efforts in conflict situations. Schirch argues, though, that what truly bonds adversaries and helps achieve peace are the symbolic, non-verbal ritual acts—shaking hands, sharing a meal, showing a photograph of a loved one. Yet these are often overlooked as deliberate components of peace negotiations.
Ritual and Symbol in Peacebuilding underscores the importance of incorporating symbolic tools, including ritual, into traditional approaches to conflict. Ritual assists in solving complex, deep-rooted conflicts, and helps to confirm and transform worldviews, identities, and relationships. With theories and language to explain the symbolic dimensions of conflict, this text will be useful to scholars and practitioners active in the diverse field of peacebuilding.
"Does more than point to the power of ritual and symbolism. In a highly readable style, she parses ritual and symbol into useful analytic and practical components that may be used in setting the stage for peacebuilding opportunities and events."—Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal
"Not merely another scholarly contribution to an ever-growing field of research [but] an exemplary case of moving the debate in a new direction."—Veronika Bajt, Peace Institute, Slovenia