Melissa Modolo "communitas"

Communitas was an interesting subject to learn about. I have experienced it before but had never put a name to the connection that is formed between people on a journy together. It is a strange connection that is deeper than simply what your lives have in common. You do not only have a relationship with them because you both are neighbors or go to the same school. Instead you both have a common goal that brings you together in a way that "community" cannot bring people together. Maybe this is because when you are a pilgrim along with someone else you do not expect anything from them. In a "community" people rely on each other for the things they need or want. Your relationship with the mailman is that he gives you your mail and you indirectly pay him. These relationships are all a part of "community" even if you do not consider yourself to have any friendship with the person. In "communitas" people are all free of a social structure. Everyone needs the same things and everyone is working equally to obtain them. The bonds that can be formed free of a social structure are consequently much stronger than those formed in a typical "community". I thought this was interesting because it is only in that pilgrim state that social boudaries can be erased. Eventually everyone reverts back to "community" but those who have experienced "communitas" will never forget it.