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40. Leading, directing and governing

For nineteenth-century peasantry, the hierarchy of living things stretched from earth to heaven, with human beings placed between domination and subordination. Power symbols were a reminder that the balance between prerogatives and duties began at home and from there extended to the locality and society as a whole. Managing a house, leading a flock or directing a meeting required technical skills, ritual knowledge and personal qualities.


© 2015 Musée d'ethnographie, Genève
Ville de Genève, Département de la culture et du sport