Beliefs, Behaviors, and Alcoholic Beverages
A Cross-Cultural Survey
Essays on the use of alcoholic beverages within diverse societies and cultures
Description
Beliefs, Behaviors, and Alcoholic Beverages: A Cross-Cultural Survey, edited by Mac Marshall, delves into the diverse ways that alcohol is woven into cultural, social, and religious contexts worldwide. This anthropological collection examines drinking customs, rituals, and social behaviors across different societies, highlighting the symbolic meanings, spiritual roles, and societal functions of alcoholic beverages. By exploring cross-cultural perspectives, the book reveals how alcohol consumption is not merely a personal act, but a complex social phenomenon tied to identity, community, and cultural values.
The chapters, contributed by various scholars, investigate topics such as ceremonial drinking, indigenous brews, and the role of alcohol in shaping group dynamics and social boundaries. Each case study demonstrates how alcohol can reinforce cultural norms, solidify social bonds, and act as a means of expression within a community. By comparing different drinking traditions and beliefs, the book provides a broad understanding of the anthropological significance of alcohol in human life. This work serves as a valuable resource for students and researchers in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, as well as anyone interested in the ways alcohol influences cultural practices, societal roles, and human relationships across the globe.
Mac Marshall is Professor of Anthropology, University of lowa. His research on the history and contemporary use of alcoholic beverages in Micronesia was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Philosophical Society, and the University of lowa. He is the author of Weekend Warriors: Alcohol in a Micronesian Culture.