Media and the scaling of ritual spaces in Morocco. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zillinger, Martin
• Other Names: Pype Katrien guest-editor.; Mélice Anne guest-editor.; Van Wolputte Steven guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Social compass. Volume 61:Number 1(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: actor–network theory -- Ḥamadša -- 'Isāwa -- Islam -- media -- Morocco -- ritual -- scaling -- trance -- transnationalism; échelonnement -- Ḥamadša -- 'Isāwa -- islam -- Maroc -- médias -- rituel -- théorie de l'acteur-réseau -- transe -- transnationalisme; Religion and sociology -- Periodicals; 306.605
• DOI: 10.1177/0037768613513941
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-7686

Abstract

The author explores how members of the Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods of the 'Isāwaand Ḥamadša shape their activities and transnational networks through the use of technical media. Trying to think beyond notions of the local, regional and transnational, the article focuses on the mediators and practices by which actors understand the scope of their actions and redefine their agency at different locales through 'scaling'. More particularly, he explores how actors engage in 'downscaling' complex issues into ritual procedures, and in 'upscaling' these procedures by inscribing them into a media chain and a more encompassing network of people, signs and things.