Redefining the Ancient Tribal Ritual for the 21st Century



"Redefining the Ancient Tribal Ritual for the 21st Century:"

Goa Gil and the Trance Dance Experience

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A Thesis

Presented to

The Division of Philosophy, Religion, and Psychology

Reed College

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In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Arts

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Michael Belden McAteer

May 2002

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Abstract

A ritual studies analysis of Goa Gil's "Redefining the Ancient Tribal Ritual for the 21st Century," commonly known as the "Goa Trance Party" or "Psychedelic Trance Party." The phenomenon is looked at from the points of view of Emile Durkheim, Victor Turner and Max Weber. Dukheim's theories are used to establish the event as social or secular ritual. The phenomenon is then shown to fit Turner's conception of ritual structure, following the pattern of a rite de passage. Finally, the role of Weberian charisma in the figure of Goa Gil, the DJ, is considered. Ultimately the phenomenon is argued to be "ritual" contingent on all three points of view, the charismatic dynamic allowing for the successful application of ritual structure and resulting in a specifically "ritual" type of collective effervescence.