Paper short abstract:

This paper gives a theoretical and empirical introduction to the theme of the panel: the circulation of issues and arguments in historical and contemporary debates on contested ethnic caricatures and rituals.

Paper long abstract:

Both in recent and in historical times, many controversies have arisen on the admissibility of stereotyped caricatures and of certain ritual practices.

This second part of the introduction focuses on controversies in the field of immaterial cultural heritage (e.g. the moral and legal justification of clothing styles, ritually prescribed ways of butchering, circumcision, the presence of stereotyped others in rituals or commemorations (e.g. of World War II), the use of animals in rituals, are at issue. These debates play a role in identity politics, creating and reinforcing the boundaries between ethnic insiders and outsiders. What yardsticks, human rights, 'tradition', are invoked by contestants to try to decide these issues?