Demanding Ritual Cooperation

Abstract In this chapter I elaborate on Hai‖om ritual practices, with particular reference to the central Hai‖om ritual of today, the medicine trance dance. Since the trance dance itself forms part of the interaction between Hai‖om and their neighbours, and since its focus is on social cohesion and cooperation, it shows both the impact of external conditions on Hai‖om group identity and the effect of Hai‖om ritual practice on internal and external social relations. HaiII om not only receive ritual practices from elsewhere, they also contribute ritual forms to their ‘non-Bushman’ neighbours, be they Khoisan-or Bantu-speaking. Furthermore, ritual events are not only structures that may reflect social transformations, but their actual performance adds force to social relations between individuals and between groups.