Contaminazioni. Discorsi, pratiche, rappresentazioni

The essay examines the diverse social and cultural involvements of the concept of contamination in different historical periods and in the context of societies and groups characterized by the need of developing economic and social relationships, but also by the necessity to maintain their own peculiarities. The concept of contamination entails the distinction between holy and secular, internal and external, physical and symbolic, male and female. It reveals not only the notion of risk and the fears of the society, but also the relationships with food, hygiene, cleanness and, more generally, with the human body. The theme of contamination becomes especially relevant where it regards well identified social or ethnic groups. The inclusion of external subjects is perceived as contaminant and dangerous for the cohesion of the group.