Which anthropologist’s seminal work on rites of passage has influenced scholars to study the concept of pilgrimage in tourism?

1. Introduction

Anthropology, as a field, has delved into understanding various cultural phenomena, including rites of passage and pilgrimage. These concepts hold significant importance in understanding human behavior, social structures, and the ways in which individuals navigate their lives within society. One anthropologist whose seminal work on rites of passage has greatly influenced scholars in studying pilgrimage in tourism is Victor Turner.

2. Victor Turner: Background and Contribution

Victor Turner (1920-1983) was a renowned British cultural anthropologist known for his contributions to symbolic anthropology and his studies on rituals and social processes. His seminal work, "The Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual" (1967), laid the foundation for understanding rituals as a form of social drama and symbolic action. Turner's framework emphasized the liminal phase of rites of passage, where individuals experience a transition from one social status to another.

3. Rites of Passage: Concept and Significance

Rites of passage are ceremonial events that mark significant transitions in an individual's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death. These rituals serve to demarcate changes in social status, roles, and identities within a community. Turner's approach to rites of passage focused on the liminal stage, where individuals undergo a period of ambiguity and transition, often marked by symbolic rituals and ceremonies.

4. The Liminal Phase: Turner's Contribution

Turner's concept of liminality refers to the transitional stage during rites of passage where individuals are "betwixt and between" their previous and future social statuses. This liminal phase is characterized by ambiguity, suspension of normal social roles, and heightened communitas, or a sense of collective identity and solidarity among participants. Turner argued that liminality is a transformative experience that enables individuals to renegotiate their identities and relationships within society.

5. Pilgrimage as a Form of Ritual

Pilgrimage, like rites of passage, is a form of ritual that involves a journey to sacred or significant sites, often motivated by religious or spiritual beliefs. Pilgrims undertake these journeys to seek meaning, fulfillment, healing, or spiritual enlightenment. Turner's framework of liminality can be applied to pilgrimage, as pilgrims often experience a liminal state during their journey, characterized by a sense of separation from everyday life and immersion in the sacred.

6. Pilgrimage in Tourism: Turner's Influence

Turner's insights into rites of passage and liminality have greatly influenced scholars studying pilgrimage in the context of tourism. Tourism scholars have drawn upon Turner's concepts to understand the transformative nature of pilgrimage experiences for tourists. Pilgrimage tourism involves the commodification of sacred sites and rituals for commercial purposes, yet it also provides opportunities for tourists to undergo personal and spiritual transformations akin to those experienced by traditional pilgrims.

7. Sacred Journeys: Tourists as Pilgrims

In pilgrimage tourism, tourists often engage in activities and rituals similar to those of traditional pilgrims, such as visiting holy sites, participating in religious ceremonies, and seeking spiritual experiences. Turner's concept of communitas is particularly relevant here, as tourists may experience a sense of solidarity and connection with fellow travelers during their pilgrimage journey, despite differences in backgrounds and beliefs.

8. Transformative Experiences: Turner's Legacy

Turner's legacy in the study of rituals and liminality extends beyond anthropology to other disciplines, including tourism studies. His conceptual framework has provided scholars with valuable insights into understanding the transformative experiences associated with pilgrimage tourism. By applying Turner's concepts, researchers can explore the symbolic meanings, social dynamics, and personal transformations that occur during pilgrimage journeys.

9. Conclusion

Victor Turner's seminal work on rites of passage has profoundly influenced scholars in studying pilgrimage in tourism. His concepts of liminality, communitas, and ritual symbolism have provided a theoretical framework for understanding the transformative nature of pilgrimage experiences for both traditional pilgrims and tourists alike. By drawing upon Turner's insights, researchers can continue to explore the complex interplay between sacred journeys, commercialization, and personal transformation in pilgrimage tourism.