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Orduighean : A Dominant Symbol in the Free Church of the Scottish Highlands
Author(s) -
Parman Susan
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1990.92.2.02a00020
Subject(s) - symbol (formal) , ceremony , protestantism , representation (politics) , history , politics , genealogy , ethnology , sociology , religious studies , archaeology , linguistics , law , philosophy , political science
In this article I describe and interpret the Protestant ceremony of church communion called Orduighean, which has been made significant as a dominant symbol by the Free Church of the Scottish Highlands. Orduighean is a condensed representation of several themes and events in Highland social life and culture; I present examples of its multiple uses and meanings in a crofting village on the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. A brief discussion of the political, economic, linguistic, and cultural history of the Scottish Highlands is also provided to show how Orduighean acquired its significance as a dominant symbol.