Handbook of Disaster Ritual

The Handbook of Disaster Ritual presents an overview of relevant
literature, perspectives, methods, concepts, as well as a selection of
topical themes in relation to current disaster rituals. The handbook has
been compiled from multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse
perspectives and works with broad definitions of the concepts of both
disaster and ritual. A disaster is defined as an event or situation that
causes a significant disruption of a society or a group and evokes a
collective and/or an individual reaction with expression of mourning,
compassion, indignation, protest, call for justice, recovery,
reconciliation, and consolation. In this working definition, it is clear
that the impact of a disaster is ‘translated ritually’. Disasters bring
forth a variety of ritual practices.















The Handbook of Disaster Ritual consists of three parts. After an
extensive conceptual and historiographical introduction, Part I presents
several perspectives on the study of disasters and disaster rituals. In
Part II, a team of international scholars presents nineteen case studies
of various disasters and disaster rituals. Part III addresses various
themes from the case studies that can be seen as key elements in
disaster rituals.