Contrary (social role): Difference between revisions
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A '''Contrary''' |
A '''Contrary''' was a member of a [[Native North American]] tribal group who adopted behavior that was deliberately the opposite of other tribal members. The Contraries were found among the historical Amerindian tribes of the [[Great Plains]]. They were a small number of individuals loosely organized into a cult that was devoted to the practice of contrary behavior. |
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The Contraries are related, in part, to the clown organizations of the [[Plains Indians]], as well as to Plains military societies that contained ''reverse warriors''.<ref>John Plant: ''The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena.'' Vienna 2010, p. 2.</ref> The Lakota word [[heyoka]], which translates as clown or opposites, serves as a collective title for these institutionalized forms of contrary behavior of the Plains Indians. When [[Lakota Indians]] first saw European clowns, they identified them with their own term for clowns, ''heyoka''. |
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== Behavior of the contrary == |
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Typically, the contrary would order his speech so that he would say the opposite of what he meant. He might also indulge in a physical display, riding his horse facing the tail, to display his unusual behavior. |
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== History of Concept == |
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==Other information== |
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George B. Grinnell introduced the designation Contraries based on his visits to the [[Cheyenne]] around 1898.<ref> John Plant: ''Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer''. Foehr 1994, p. 196.</ref> Written accounts of the ''heyoka'' (i.e., the Contraries and clowns of the Lakota and Santee) were published even earlier. The cultural anthropologist [[Julian Steward]] described various forms of ''contrary behavior'' in his 1930 article ''The Ceremonial Buffoon of the American Indian''.<ref>John Plant: ''The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena''. Vienna 2010, p. 2f.</ref> In 1945, [[Verne Ray]] examined contrary behavior in the ritual dances and ceremonies of North American Indians and differentiated a further characteristic of the contrary complex of the Plains Indians, reverse reaction, which means to do the opposite of what one is asked.<ref>John Plant: ''The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena''. Vienna 2010, p. 3.</ref> |
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The film ''[[Little Big Man]]'' features a sequence in which one character, Younger Bear, became a contrary. His body was divided by a wavy line of black paint, and he had white polka dots painted all over. He proceeded to wash off with dirt and dry off with water, without once watching what he was doing. |
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== Social Role == |
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The social role of the Plains Indian clowns was ceremonial since they performed primarily during rituals, dances and feasts. Unlike the clowns, the special role of the Contraries was not restricted to brief performances, rituals or the warpath. It was their everyday life. The Contraries of the Plains Indians were unique and historically unprecedented. John Plant examined the ethnological phenomena of contrary behavior, particularly in the tribes of the North American Plains Indians.<ref>John Plant: ''The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena''. Vienna 2010, p. 15f.</ref> |
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The Contraries of the Plains Indians were individuals committed to an extraordinary life-style in which they consistently and continually did the opposite of what others normally do. They thus turned all social conventions into their opposites. On a certain level, the Contrary acted as an antagonist to his own people. <ref>John Plant: ''Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer''. Foehr 1994 , p. 10.</ref> |
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Heyoka in Taos, NM who may not wish to have his name listed, but upon visiting a Pow Wow, one may have first hand experience they are still a very real part of the tradition. |
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''Contrary behavior'' means deliberately doing the opposite of what others routinely or conventionally do. It was usually accompanied by ''inverse speech'', in which one says the opposite of what one actually means. For example, “no!” expresses “yes!” And “hello” means “goodbye”. To say “Grandfather, go away!” would be an invitation for him to come. <ref> John Plant: ''Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer''. Foehr 1994, p. 11.</ref> |
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{{sociology-stub}} |
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{{NorthAm-native-stub}} |
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== Reverse Warriors == |
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In addition to the Contraries and the ceremonial clowns, many Plains tribes recognized certain persons having the role of “reverse” warriors. These were usually experienced warriors who in battle purposely abided by contrary, foolish or crazy principles. Generally, they belonged to military organizations that also took part in dance ceremonies. Only the “reverse” warriors used inverse speech, and only they did the opposite of what they were commanded or instructed to do (reverse reaction). The “reverse” warrior charged into battle when ordered to retreat. He could only fall back, when he was commanded to attack. <ref>John Plant: ''The Plains Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena''. Vienna 2010, p. 23f.</ref> |
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== Literature == |
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* John Plant: Heyoka: ''Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer''. Verlag für Amerikanistik, Wyk auf Foehr 1994 |
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* Julian Steward: ''The Ceremonial Buffoon of the American Indian''. Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Nr. 14/1930 S. 187-207. |
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== Weblinks == |
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* {{internetquelle |url=http://www.anjol.de/documents/100802_heyoka_neu.pdf |hrsg=John Plant |titel=The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena (PDF)|zugriff=December 19, 2010}} |
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== References == |
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<references/> |
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[[Category:Native American religious occupations]] |
[[Category:Native American religious occupations]] |
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Revision as of 15:42, 19 December 2010
A Contrary was a member of a Native North American tribal group who adopted behavior that was deliberately the opposite of other tribal members. The Contraries were found among the historical Amerindian tribes of the Great Plains. They were a small number of individuals loosely organized into a cult that was devoted to the practice of contrary behavior.
The Contraries are related, in part, to the clown organizations of the Plains Indians, as well as to Plains military societies that contained reverse warriors.[1] The Lakota word heyoka, which translates as clown or opposites, serves as a collective title for these institutionalized forms of contrary behavior of the Plains Indians. When Lakota Indians first saw European clowns, they identified them with their own term for clowns, heyoka.
History of Concept
George B. Grinnell introduced the designation Contraries based on his visits to the Cheyenne around 1898.[2] Written accounts of the heyoka (i.e., the Contraries and clowns of the Lakota and Santee) were published even earlier. The cultural anthropologist Julian Steward described various forms of contrary behavior in his 1930 article The Ceremonial Buffoon of the American Indian.[3] In 1945, Verne Ray examined contrary behavior in the ritual dances and ceremonies of North American Indians and differentiated a further characteristic of the contrary complex of the Plains Indians, reverse reaction, which means to do the opposite of what one is asked.[4]
Social Role
The social role of the Plains Indian clowns was ceremonial since they performed primarily during rituals, dances and feasts. Unlike the clowns, the special role of the Contraries was not restricted to brief performances, rituals or the warpath. It was their everyday life. The Contraries of the Plains Indians were unique and historically unprecedented. John Plant examined the ethnological phenomena of contrary behavior, particularly in the tribes of the North American Plains Indians.[5]
The Contraries of the Plains Indians were individuals committed to an extraordinary life-style in which they consistently and continually did the opposite of what others normally do. They thus turned all social conventions into their opposites. On a certain level, the Contrary acted as an antagonist to his own people. [6]
Contrary behavior means deliberately doing the opposite of what others routinely or conventionally do. It was usually accompanied by inverse speech, in which one says the opposite of what one actually means. For example, “no!” expresses “yes!” And “hello” means “goodbye”. To say “Grandfather, go away!” would be an invitation for him to come. [7]
Reverse Warriors
In addition to the Contraries and the ceremonial clowns, many Plains tribes recognized certain persons having the role of “reverse” warriors. These were usually experienced warriors who in battle purposely abided by contrary, foolish or crazy principles. Generally, they belonged to military organizations that also took part in dance ceremonies. Only the “reverse” warriors used inverse speech, and only they did the opposite of what they were commanded or instructed to do (reverse reaction). The “reverse” warrior charged into battle when ordered to retreat. He could only fall back, when he was commanded to attack. [8]
Literature
- John Plant: Heyoka: Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer. Verlag für Amerikanistik, Wyk auf Foehr 1994
- Verne Ray: The Contrary Behavior Pattern in American Indian Ceremonialism. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology, Nr. 1/1945 S. 75-113.
- Julian Steward: The Ceremonial Buffoon of the American Indian. Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Nr. 14/1930 S. 187-207.
Weblinks
- "The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena (PDF)" (PDF). John Plant. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
References
- ^ John Plant: The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena. Vienna 2010, p. 2.
- ^ John Plant: Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer. Foehr 1994, p. 196.
- ^ John Plant: The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena. Vienna 2010, p. 2f.
- ^ John Plant: The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena. Vienna 2010, p. 3.
- ^ John Plant: The Plains Indian Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena. Vienna 2010, p. 15f.
- ^ John Plant: Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer. Foehr 1994 , p. 10.
- ^ John Plant: Heyoka. Die Contraries und Clowns der Plainsindianer. Foehr 1994, p. 11.
- ^ John Plant: The Plains Clowns, their Contraries and related Phenomena. Vienna 2010, p. 23f.