Today's lecture on the discipline of Anthropology really brought back some memories of the Anthro 101 class I took last year. As I thought back to some of the topics we had discussed, a key term was brought to my attention from an article I had read by Clifford Geertz called, "Notes on the Balinese Cockfightn," was the idea of "Deep Play."
In Clifford Geertz’s article, “Notes on the Balinese Cockfight,” Geertz explores the idea of deep play as something essential in understanding the true importance and significance of the Balinese cockfight. It is important when understanding the cockfight to take into account the two different levels of meaning it holds; the actual level, which can be apparent as viewed by onlookers and others who are not submerged in Balinese culture, as well as the metaphorical ritualistic level, one that gives social significance to the cockfight and must be understood as well in order to discover the true meaning of it. Geertz understands the importance of these two levels as “deep play,” both ideas that really relate to the concept of the "Magic Circle."
Along with the actual physical competition between different cocks, Geertz understands that cocks are also metaphors of competition and for the types of men their owners are. It also, “says something about Balinese social order, abstract hatred, masculinity, demonic power, status virtue” (Geertz 1973; 10). Cockfights are different from everyday affairs. They are set apart from ordinary course of life as they “provide a meta-social commentary upon the whole matter of assorting human beings into fixed hierarchical ranks and then organizing major part of collective existence around that assortment” (Geertz 1973; 10). Geertz points out the differences of social status through the act of the cockfight. While wealthy men are known to spend lots of money on preparing their cocks for the fight, Geertz also points out that there are many smaller cockfights that take place as well among lower class individuals. He then presents the idea that even women and children are represented through the practice of the cockfight as they make bets and cheer on from the sideline. It is evident that Balinese society can be represented and understood through the practice for this very reason.
Geertz continues to define the idea of “deep play” through the rules and limits he puts on the cockfight. “The more a match is between near status equals and between high status individuals, the deeper the match…The deeper the match is, the less economic and the more a “status” view of gaming will be involved” (Geertz 1973; 10). By understanding the deeper meaning these rules address, outsiders of Balinese society are able to better understand the culture and significance the Balinese people put on the practice. Geertz definitely emphasizes the fact that understanding deep play is essential in understanding a cultural practice and addresses this idea by dissecting the Balinese cockfight.
Another game that relates to the idea of "deep play" is Trobriand Cricket. As the initial purpose for introducing Cricket was in hopes of colonizers to introduce a change in warfare style to Trobriand Islanders, making the practice act as a moralizing force, it soon evolved and transformed into something more for Trobriand Islanders and their culture. Like Geertz’s example of the Balinese cockfight, Trobriand cricket includes metaphors that give the practice a deeper significance and meaning as opposed to being simply a game. Because war was banned by colonizers of the time, this twist on the game of cricket allowed Trobriand Islanders to incorporate many of their traditional practices associated with war into a controlled environment. As an example of syncretism, Trobriand Cricket is in a sense a hybrid of two cultural forms, the original traditional culture of the Trobriand Islanders, as well as the new contribution from the colonizers, the game cricket. This aspect of the game definitely contributes to the deep meaning of the practice as a whole.
One major theme this game addresses is the concept of power. The fact that the host team always wins despite the fact that the guest team could have won in reality, makes a statement about the type of competition the Trobriand Islanders crave. This rule is symbolic of the war-like environment they were deprived of after being colonized. By understanding this deeper aspect of the game, one understands that the game is no longer simply the recreational cricket game, but rather a symbol for something more meaningful to them.
Another main aspect of society that can be understood through this game is the role gender plays in the Trobriand Islands. Because women are only on the sideline watching and supporting the men playing, we understand how power is distributed among society and that political power is male centered. “The element of sexuality is displayed in dress, chants, and dances. The words are sexual metaphors used as one team taunts the young women on the sidelines” (Peters-Golden 2009; 252). Had one not understood the fact that only men are allowed to play the game, and the symbolism of these many aspects of the practice, they could possibly misunderstand this aspect of Trobriand society.
Geertz’s definition of deep play definitely applies to the practice of Trobriand Cricket, as the deeper meaning it addresses of status competition, Trobriand Cricket is very similar to his identification of deep play in the sense that it attains a deeper layer of meaning to it as well. In this case, cricket expresses a message about the society of the Trobriand Islands, one that is competitive and proud. Although one may view the practice as a simple cultural dance, by understanding the rules and deeper meaning behind the act, they are able to further understand what kind of culture Trobriand Islanders have.
Both the Cockfight and Trobriand Cricket express the idea of maximizing the individual, something only understood once taking a deeper look at the game. While the Balinese cockfight represents the social status of each individual based on how much money they spend on preparing their cock for a fight and how their cock performs, Trobriand Cricket attempts to maximize the individual through their own performance of the practice as well as the communal significance the game stands for.
Although Trobriand Cricket and the Balinese cockfight are two drastically different practices that hold different purposes and have different intentions, they are quite similar because of Geertz’s understanding of deep play. Both practices clearly make a statement about their relative cultures, morals, and societies. By understanding not only the evident aspect of each practice, but also the metaphorical deeper meaning each practice represents, one is able to get a better sense of the whole picture.
The Hunger Games were killed for me. Rather than a powerful story on the importance of survival and family, the movie was twisted into a weird love story between Katniss, Gale and Peeta. I was so disappointed.
