Movement, Ritual and Society Julia Catton March 26th, 27th, 28th, April 25th
Rituals and habitual patterns are very important. This statement applies to movement patterns as much as speech patterns. Teachers, group leaders, ministers of religion can benefit from being able to recognize the difference between ritual or habitual, traditional or customary, patterns of movement, and by being alert to the possible impact on behaviour of a change in these patterns.
In fact the consideration and understanding of patterns of movement is important for anyone planning to lead a group, or when planning any kind of group intervention. When exploring this subject as a student you can refer to the discipline of Social Psychology and to works within the field of Ethnographic Enquiry. In addition there is much to be learnt by observation and careful analysis. You can ask, what are the various motives behind a particular ritual movement? Or question, what is the benefit of a habitual pattern of action for an individual? Or, one can explore the ethical impact on a group of people of a change in their traditional ways of interacting?
Verbal patterns are studied carefully from the time we learn to read at school. But patterns of movement, used all the time in social interactions, are often adopted without us realizing that we are responding with great significance to a pattern initiated by another.
When we learn a habitual or ritual movement, or make changes to it, it adds to the pattern's importance. Changes to it are important because any change made to a pattern of movement can be seen as unexpected, creative or subversive. Some may want to hold onto a traditional pattern of action with a belligerent intensity. But usually having an action model, soundly based on present needs, is what is needed. Plus, if a change of behaviour involves an easily recognizable movement pattern, it can ease the adoption of other aspects of change.