The object of sectarianism: The material reality of sectarianism in Ulsterloyalism

This article examines an important, and neglected, aspect of sectarianism i n contemporary Northern Ireland: its embodiment in the material culture and everyday social practices of its antagonistic factions. Following a brief theoretical outline of sectarianism (characterized as a discursive formatio n), I describe this phenomenon as found in an Ulster loyalist community. I show how the material reality of sectarianism encompasses the everyday acti vities of these loyalists, including their 'traditional' culture of Orangei sm and the spheres of sport, leisure, and entertainment. Within these every day cultural practices, sectarian values are objectified and stored in feti shized objects, such as flags and banners, and in an oral culture of songs and slogans.