Many peoples credited strangers with special magical powers requiring ritual handling
Evidence
Between these two factors of nearness and distance, however, a peculiar tension arises, since the consciousness of having only the absolutely general in common has exactly the effect of putting a special emphasis on that which is not common. For a stranger to the country, the city, the race, and so on, what is stressed is again nothing individual, but alien origin, a quality which he has, or could have, in common with many other strangers. For this reason strangers are not really perceived as individuals, but as strangers of a certain type. Their remoteness is no less general than their nearness. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 401 (
#expands, via linked claim)
It is this particular ability of Japanese mirrors to allow humans to speak to gods that has ensured the survival of our mirror, which with eighteen others was given to the British Museum in 1927. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 924 (
#exemplifies, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Historically the trader role was filled by strangers — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 390; The Andamanese regarded visiting strangers as departed ancestral spirits — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 45; Even literate ancient peoples suspected strangers might not be fully human (+3 more)
Related
- Even literate ancient peoples suspected strangers might not be fully human (similarity 0.85)
- The Andamanese regarded visiting strangers as departed ancestral spirits (similarity 0.78)
Broader Connections
- Strangers are perceived by type rather than as individuals
#expands(0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 401 - Living surrounded by strangers is a peculiar condition requiring explanation
#expands(0.70) - Japanese mirrors were once used in sacred rituals and communication with gods.
#exemplifies(0.60) — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 924