Fabriquer un culte ethnique. Écriture rituelle et généalogies mythiques dans le sanctuaire des Paliques en Sicile.

Abstract

The sanctuary of the gods Palikoi in Sicily offers a rich dossier addressing the role of writing in the definition of ethnicity. Although literary evidence attest to the ”native“ nature of the gods, the presence of writing, inbedded in local culture through the Greek colonization, plays a curious role. It invites us to reflect upon contact processes and identity changes due to its appearance. The analysis focuses here on the ordeal oath (ritual writing) and on the mythical genealogies (discursive strategies): this set seems to be a "device" in many ways informed by the model of the "Middle Ground."