Blessing And Curse Case Study

1.2 The Research Problem
Curses and cursing practices have been existed as universal phenomena since the time of immemorial. However, unlike blessing, Curse words are words we are not supposed to say; as a result curse words themselves became highly influential. The topic itself is perhaps too taboo for academicians. (Jay, 2000:18).

Sigmund Freud, a well-known psychologist, discusses the term taboo largely in his book “Totem and Taboo”. He considers taboo as restrictions that are different from religious or ethical prohibitions, which are not based upon any celestial statute, but rather might be said to force themselves on their own account (Freud, 1999: 2). He came up with the most original explanation for the apparently irrational nature

According to him the community can punish or reward an individual not only with sanctions or rewards, but also with his words which can be creative or destructive. Blessing or curse touches all the realms of life: social, economic, political, etc. of the Kambata society. Belachew tried to pinpoint situations in which blessing takes place, authority in blessing and cursing and the rituals that take place during blessing process as part of his study. However, he overlooked curses and cursing practice in the Kambata society saying that cursing is subordinate to blessing in that

In these circumstances cursing and blessing are used as a means the evil to leave and the good to come forth