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Definition:
The word taboo entered the English language through the voyages of Captain James Cook,
who discovered it in 1777 in the South Pacific Islands. In his own words, the term means
"a thing is forbidden.... When any thing is forbidden to be eat, or made use of,
they say, that it is taboo."
One way taboos are established is through mana - anything with great mana is also automatically taboo in some way. Thus, chiefs and their families who possess strong mana through their connections to the gods and powerful ancestors are also protected from others through a set of strong taboos which regulate their interaction with the community.
In practice, a taboo is anything forbidden by religion or custom and breaking a taboo often results in ostracism from the community. Thus taboos serve the function of social control.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: tabu, kapu, tapu
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.
