Again, to quote Max Gluckman, it may be said that among the South African tribals there are some curious rituals which turn upside down some of the customary rules practised by the tribals. One of the rituals “took place among the Swazi at the coronation of a new king.
When this was about to happen every citizen was expected to mock and criticize the king in public, making a grand spectacle of his inadequacy. Similarly, open social criticism was allowed at the medieval carnivals in parts of Europe, but not during the rest of the year.”
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In India, there are some rituals observed in parts of rural India whereby everyone mouths abuses against one another in public. All foul words are used and dirty songs are sung with the melody of change or Cholas but no one takes it seriously. It is only a mockery, not a reality.
On this day, the general behaviour of the people becomes brash and bawdy. This is an example of a curious kind of function performed by a ritual.
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