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Jill Dubisch uses the concept of mana in her anthropological studies of religious rituals, though Mana itself is more often associated with Polynesian cultures and works by anthropologists like Mauss and Durkheim.
Mana refers to a supernatural power or force that imbues objects, people, or places with spiritual significance. It comes from the Polynesian branch of the Austonesian language family.
Dubisch explores how mana relates to the idea of sacred power and purity in religion and ritual. She believes that the concept of mana assists in explaining how certain objects—icons, relics, etc.—are believed to hold spiritual power. By believing that objects are spiritually charged, regardless or whether they are or aren’t in actuality, people can feel closer to the divine and access spiritual benefits through their interactions with these mana-infused objects.
She argues by this strand that belief in sacred power reinforces religious experiences; e.g., shared reverence for holy and sacred objects brings individuals together in collective effervescence, common belief, and social cohesion.
That’s all on Mana! Check out my full Religion 101 article list (useful for studying, or just learning!) here.