Ferrying the Gods: Myth, Performance and the question of 'Invented Traditions' in the city of Banaras

Abstract

The mythological traditions of the ‘native’ populations of colonised countries have been a subject of fascination for both colonial officials and contemporary anthropologists. Myth is often conceived as a window into the lives, social practices and identities of subordinate people. In this paper I examine an episode from the Indian epic Ramayana, which juxtaposes colonial interpretations with a contemporary one, refracted through the narratives and living practices of the boatman community in the sacred city of Banaras. Following Sahlins (1999), I caution against the facile notion of the ‘invention of tradition’ as an inevitable project of resistance which is frequently attributed to oppressed populations. Rather, my analysis of myth illustrates the need to consider the cultural logic and practice associated with mythological narratives, storytelling and performance. I show the way boatmen creatively tap into a rich Hindu devotional tradition (bhakti), revealing the inherent tensions and ambiguities that inform their intentions, fears and desires as they are expressed in the course of everyday life in Banaras.