priestand education. In some cultures, the office is inherited, as in India, or a
person may feel called to the office.
The basis of priestly existence and activity is communion with the
divine, with the priest playing a mediating role between god and humans.
The Hogan (priest) of the Dogon people of Africa mediates the deity
Lebe’s life-giving force, which is signified by his tunic and trousers that
symbolize the four cardinal directions and four elements. The Hogon’s
sandals represent the ark of the deity Nomo that brings humankind to
earth at the beginning of time, whereas his cylindrical-shaped headdress
is woven in a spiral pattern which corresponds to the path followed by
the original cosmic seed. The priest’s association with the divine some-
times obligates him to interpret the divine will for the people.
In some religious cultures, the priest formulates rules of conduct and
enforces their observance. Among the African Nuer people, the priest
protects the killer in a case of homicide from any danger associated with
revenge by giving him/her sanctuary. The priest may, for instance, nego-
tiate a settlement by offering compensation to the family of the deceased.
Then, the priest performs a sacrifice to enable normal social relations to
resume, and he rehabilitates the slayer. The Nuer priest also presides over
the taking of oaths, which involves licking a spear or a metal bracelet as
a sign of telling the truth.
Priestly administrative duties are derived from his cultic activities,
which is evident by his supervision and maintenance of sacred buildings,
religious instruments, and finances. His authority for these types of
responsibilities rests within his office. By virtue of his office, he dis-
penses salvation by submitting his will to the divine, whereas, in con-
trast, a magician seeks to force the deity to obey him.
Along with his many functions and responsibilities, a priest is subject
to many restrictions with respect to lifestyle, diet, and sexuality. Certain
taboos associated with the priestly office emphasize the necessity to
maintain holiness. Members of the Brahmin priestly caste in India
observe a vegetarian diet, whereas Roman Catholic priests must take a
vow of celibacy. Due to his association with the earth, the Nuer, leopard-
skin priest does not approach people when they are making pots to pro-
tect the pots from cracking. Various taboos can enhance the efficacy of
priestly action. Along with his attire, taboos set the priest apart from other
members of a society, although the distinctiveness of the priest from oth-
ers does not affect his followers who tend to be regular and stable. In his
distinctive role, a priest’s influence exceeds the religious and moral
realms to include social, cultural, and political spheres.
Further reading: Evans-Pritchard (1956); Leopold (1973); Osborne (1988)