Ritual Primary mechanism of cooperation Ritual is widespread

Ritual: Primary mechanism of cooperation • Ritual is widespread in the animal kingdom where cautious communication is required • Deep evolutionary history

Primate social rituals • As highly social creatures primates have a wealth of social rituals

Purposes of ritual: • • • social signaling: Stotting among antelope; Thrice daily prayer among Orthodox Jews group cohesion: grooming in primates; initiation rites among traditional societies, modern social groups (fraternities); Coordinated actions produce greater with-in group cooperation. hazard avoidance: ritualized behaviors increase at social “stress” or transition points. Submission, appeasement, tolerance, reconciliation gestures among primates. Bell (1997, p. 160) If ritual had a voice it would say: “This is different, deliberate, and significant—pay attention!” It is the unparallel capacity to send and heed ritual’s message that sets humans apart from other animals Eventually for humans: Ritual imposes meaning on life, supersedes life itself (biology). Ex: Biology controls maturation but ritual defines adulthood. Biology controls birth, death, mating, illness, etc; but rituals imposes structure, meaning, legitimacy, etc. on all. Ritual is larger than life

Social rituals in traditional societies • 3 types – Rituals of trust-building and reconciliation – Rituals of initiation – Shamanistic healing rituals – 3 points: models for the past; cognitively demanding; fitness enhancing – Good analogy: graduation ceremony, ritual demands of larger group vs. kin biased inclinations

Peacemaking and reconciliation • Ammassalik drum match • Yanamamo truce ritual • Those more able to make peace gained a fitness advantage through increased access to resources via reciprocal exchange alliances

Rituals of initiation • • • 70% of traditional societies have adolescent rites of initiation. Severity increases with the harshness of living conditions Those more able to endure demanding rituals gained a fitness advantage through status and prestige Intense, high ordeal rituals lead to stronger emotional attachment to group; greater ingroup generosity

Shamanistic healing rituals • Shamanism is ubiquitous among traditional societies • Ritual healing practices involving ASC are effective for a range of maladies

Evolution of ritual • Milestones: • 3 mybp: birthing big-headed babies (from De. Silva, 2010)

Evolution of ritual • Losing hair: 3 mybp-1. 2 mybp • Host switch of body louse Pthirus from gorilla to human (from Reed et al, 2007) • Mutation in gene melanocortin i receptor (MCi. R) • Making ‘dangerous’ handaxes: . 5 myp • Composite tools: . 3 mybp • Control of fire: 200, 000 • Trade, global migration: 70, 000 ybp • Inter-group marriage • Increasing social differentiation – emerging social norms

Red Ochre Rituals • First appears in archaeological record 400300 ybp • Ubiquitous in female initiation rituals S. African traditional societies • Female Cosmetics Coalition hypo – females bonded together for resourcing of infants, first “true” rituals • Encephalization: two steps, 700, 000 and 200, 000 ybp, Neanderthals later, 70, 000 ybp • Second step critical for pair-bonding

Red ochre in Africa vs. Europe 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000 5500 # of Pieces 5000 4500 Homo sapiens 4000 3500 Neanderthal 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Thousand Years Ago 350 400 450

Migrations and Seasonality