5. Religion: Anthropological approaches to the study of religion (evolutionary, psychological and functional); monotheism and polytheism; sacred and profane; myths and rituals; forms of religion in tribal and peasant societies (animism, animatism, fetishism, naturism and totemism); religion, magic and science distinguished; magico- religious functionaries (priest, shaman, medicine man, sorcerer and witch).

Previous Questions:

* How do you relate the concepts of ‘Sacred’ and ‘Profane’ in Durkheim’s theory of Religion with a focus on the role of Totem? (15Marks 2015)

* Totemism (10Marks 2013)

* Distinguish between religion, magic and science (20Marks 2013)

* Explain various Anthropological approaches to study Religion (30Marks 2011)

* How anthropologists define Religion? Describe various forms of religion with examples. (L.Q – 2007)

* Shamanism (S.N – 2007)

* “Witchcraft accusation is the result of strained interpersonal relations” – Explain (L.Q – 2005)

* Distinguish between magic and religion. Give suitable examples. (L.Q – 2004)

* Discuss some of the characteristic features of tribal religions in India and state how far they have changed in recent times. (L.Q – 1999)

* Witchcraft and Sorcery (S.N -1998)

* Why have religion and magic become stable features of a society?