The present volume is entirely dedicated to investigating the implications and effects of breaking ritual rules, of failed performances and of the extinction of ritual systems. 1 While rituals are often seen as some kind of machines or infallible mechanisms which ‘work’ irrespective of the individual motivations of the performers, 2 it is clearly visible here that rituals can fail, and that improper performances do in fact matter. Without aiming at presenting a ‘theory of ritual failure’ the diverse contributions assembled here take a close look at failed or Áawed rituals. This point of view opens up new perspectives on the ritual procedures, on the interaction which constitute these procedures and on the context in which these actions are embedded. The contributions to this volume approach these important issues from the angle of their respective disciplines.