scholarly journals An Inquiry into the Role of Women in Pre-Ahom and Ahom Society with Special Focus on the Institution of Kamakhya

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-298
Author(s):  
Nilam Kakati

The role of women in Pre- Ahom and Ahom society could be regarded in the broader environment within the ambit of sacred space dedicated to them. Kamakhya temple, situated near Guwahati, Assam is the most profound illustration of the sacred space of women. It is celebrated as one of the renowned centres of Tantra in India in general and Assam in particular. It has established itself not only as an eminent Tantric centre but also as a menstruating Goddess. However, menstruation has been treated as a taboo since the earliest times in various religious texts. It represented the image of impurity and pollution and was dubbed as hot and dangerous. However, in Kamakhya temple, annual menstruation of the goddess is celebrated as a festival. In June every year, Ambubachi Mela represents one of the chief celebrations of the temple. The paper attempts to analyze the theme of menstruation, placing it in the border context of Kamakhya. The article also highlights the unrestricted movement of women in the pre- Ahom and Ahom society owing to its characteristics of the tribal bearing. The study claims that the inherent dichotomy of pure-impure, auspicious- inauspicious becomes unfitting in the case of Kamakhya and her annual menstruation festival. This specifics could pave the way to identify the theme of menstruation as a lone entity beyond the dichotomy which might aid in offering a fresh understanding of the same. The study employs the mixed methodology of hermeneutics and feminist theology.

Author(s):  
Judith Herrin

This chapter discusses the place of icons in worship, their character, and the way they came to symbolize the holy and mediate between earth and heaven. In particular, as icons became a vivid focus of devotion, they began to embody human relations with God the Creator and Ruler of the entire Christian world. It is argued that women played a notable part in this developing cult of icons. The chapter concentrates on some features of Late Antique Mediterranean culture, shared by Jews and Gentiles, pagan and Christian alike. These provided a common social experience within which the artistic evolution of the Christian church took place. In particular, the first part of this chapter is devoted to a discussion of funerary art, for this represents one of the most striking ways whereby Christians transmitted pagan rituals and artistic forms to their new faith. The second part examines some of the reasons for the preservation of these forms, once assimilated to a Christian mode, when they came under attack in the East. It asks how much that response informs us about the role of women in the cult of icons.


2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-337
Author(s):  
Karen Wenell

AbstractIn Mark 11-12 sacred space is being reformulated in a way that does not emphasize the central role of the Jerusalem temple. The action and teachings which are placed in the temple in the narrative show a conflict of values, making the temple a contested space. Mark's Gospel is part of the shaping of these ideas, and though not fully worked out in a comprehensive spatial worldview, the notion of the kingdom of God and the heavenly location of God as Father suggest a visionary space to which followers might order and orient their lives. It is out of this conflict of values that new notions of sacred space are able to emerge.


Author(s):  
Edson Santos Silva ◽  
Wallas Jefferson de Lima

The article analyzes the way the female characters appear in the book A Filosofia na alcova of Marquis de Sade. It highlights the author’s recurrent themes, such as space, private life and freedom, relating them to the discussion about the role of women during the eighteenth century in France. Such a thematic-spatial option analyzes, therefore, points that were not thoroughly studied and that, for a long time, were only considered in addendums within the studies about the French post-revolutionary context. The discussion is part of the theoretical intersection between History and Literature, using as reference the works of Georges Bataille, Michele Perrot, Eliane Robert Moraes and Lynn Hunt.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-140
Author(s):  
Slobodan Orlović ◽  
Nataša Rajić

Constitutional court, as a special institution of the centralised system of constitutional control, takes significant place in a modern constitutional state. The aim of this paper is to indicate the main features of Italian and Serbian constitutional courts and their role in the development of constitutional systems. The analysis will cover the scope and quality of their competences, the way on which they interpret the constitutional text and the quality of dialogue they develop with judicial and political organs. The special focus will be put on the role of the Italian Constitutional court in protection of constitutional identity which seems to have the key role in the development of the European constitutionalism today.


Author(s):  
Caroline Kennedy ◽  
Sophia Dingli

This chapter examines the relationship between gender and security, distinguishing between ‘practical’ and ‘discursive’ aspects of such relationship and exploring the problematizing of gendered roles through Queer Theory. Practical aspects are exemplified by the concrete role of women in militaries, or as victims, bystanders, or helpers of military conflict or of militarization in general. Discursive aspects are exemplified by the traditional connections made between militarism and masculinity and between nurturing, peace, and femininity. The chapter first explains what gender means and why issues of gender are relevant to understanding security. It shows how understanding and placing notions of gender at the centre of any debate on security can help us comprehend the way men and women relate to insecurity, violence, and war. Theorists have often discussed gender and security by referring to war and peace, but the chapter stresses the need to pay attention to the post-conflict environment.


Author(s):  
Caroline Kennedy ◽  
Sophia Dingli

This chapter examines the relationship between gender and security, distinguishing between ‘practical’ and ‘discursive’ aspects of such relationship. Practical aspects are exemplified by the concrete role of women in militaries, or as victims, bystanders, or helpers of military conflict or of militarization in general. Discursive aspects are exemplified by the traditional connections made between militarism and masculinity and between nurturing, peace, and femininity. The chapter first explains what gender means and why issues of gender are relevant to understanding security. It shows how understanding and placing notions of gender at the centre of any debate on security can help us comprehend the way men and women relate to insecurity, violence, and war. Theorists have often discussed gender and security by referring to war and peace, but the chapter stresses the need to pay attention to the post-conflict environment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 128 (11) ◽  
pp. 529-537
Author(s):  
Deok Hee Jung

In Stephen’s speech in Acts 7, Luke negates God’s indwelling of the Jerusalem Temple. God’s presence is not confined to a specific place, but is fluidly revealed to God’s people. In Luke-Acts, Jesus and his apostles take over the role of the old Temple so that they become newly built corporeal temples. Luke transfers the presence of the divine from the old Temple to the bodies of Jesus and his followers, and their behaviour produces sanctity around them. As the corporeal temple moves, this generates new sacred space everywhere. Thus, sacredness does not dwell in a fixed place, such as the Temple, but is fluidly expanded across previously restricted place.


Author(s):  
Przemysław Nowakowski

The icon in liturgy, liturgy on the icon.The icon in liturgical space The article presents the position of icon in the sacred space of the Orthodox church and its function in liturgy of the Byzantine rite. In the beginning a rich theology of icon was outlined and its importance in Eastern tradition. In the Eastern Church the icon is considered as a window to heaven, a special sacrament of God’s presence – Christ, Mary and saints among the people. Equally important is the role of illustrating and revealing a dogma, a didactic explanation of the Church’s teaching to the faith-ful. These functions the icon plays mostly within the temple, mainly during liturgy, which celebrated on the earth is also considered as an image – an icon of celestial liturgy. Through the article a reader is made familiar with the iconographic plan of the church and the arrangement of the icons according to the strictly observed pattern. It becomes more comprehensive in the context of liturgical action, when the icon plays a very important role. For that reason the particular parts of Divine Liturgy (Eucha-rist) are described with regard to the role of icons within the celebration. Eventually the paper presents several icons of a strictly liturgical character, that have started to appear within the church since the 9th century. Finding a right place within the sacred space, the icons have affirmed their liturgical flavour and assured about their exceptional meaning in life, liturgy and ecclesial spirituality of the Byzantine rite.


Author(s):  
Agnieszka Setecka

The following article concentrates on the representation of social class in Anthony Trollope’s Antipodean stories, Harry Heathcote of Gangoil (1874) and “Catherine Carmichael” (1878). Although Trollope was aware of the problematic nature of class boundaries in the Antipodes, he nevertheless employed the English model of class distinctions as a point of reference. In the two stories he concentrated on wealthy squatters’ attempts to reconstruct the way of life of the English gentry and on the role of women, who either exposed the false pretences to gentility, as in “Catherine Carmichael,” or contributed to consolidation of the landowning classes as in Harry Heathcote of Gangoil.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482095634
Author(s):  
Sharona Ross ◽  
Kenneth Luberice ◽  
Alexander Rosemurgy ◽  

Surgery, society, and the world are ever changing. The role of women in surgery is changing too and changing fast. For many women, this change is too slow, too fast, too disruptive, too confusing, and too dependent on others. A symposium such as this helps direct our discussions and thoughts, but many answers will evolve only with and after thoughtful consideration, debate, and action. The symposium is not a “gripe session,” but a call to arms for all stakeholders, including surgery. Surgery must evolve commensurate with the times and recognize the huge and unique talent pool women represent. Herein is the summary of the plenary session of the symposium. Hopefully, it will stir emotions and initiate debate which will lead to enlightenment and benefit to surgery, our patients, our employers, and all surgeons, both current and future. For those who want to be part of the dialogue, please take advantage of this opportunity. This symposium will continue to be held annually as we build our awareness and develop impactful ideologies to further the beneficial impact of the surgical community. Lead, follow, or get out of the way; your choice. We encourage all to be part of the process.


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