Page No. 201-212
R. S. Pirta and R. S. Ranta
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
This paper discusses six case studies involving social conflicts over resource use
between villages and on social issues within and between the families from three
Tahsils of Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh. These conflicts become further
complicated due to the mediation by the institutions of local deities. In some acute
cases the affectional ties are severed to appease the soul of the deceased person.
However, attempts are made to re-establish the social bonds through various
reconciliation strategies adopted by the community in accordance with the little and
great traditions. The important part of breaking and making of these affectional bonds
is the possession of persons by spirits and deities. Some hypotheses have been
proposed to explain this behavioural phenomenon.