Motif
Binding injunction or taboo-like prohibition
binding_injunction_or_taboo_like_prohibition
A motif of the Curse, Blessing, and Performative Sacred Speech family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
celtic irish
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The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge WITH TWO PAGES IN FACSIMILE OF THE MANUSCRIPTS / MY MOTHER / CONTENTS / PREFACE; lines 708-766 confidence: medium
The translator retains geis, compares it to Polynesian tabu as a common translation, and lists several English or Scots-Gaelic renderings that do not express the ancient Irish legal idea adequately.
The passage defines geis as an honour-based adjuration that can compel action or prohibit it, and notes its common translation by tabu while also distinguishing its Irish legal sense.
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