It soon becomes apparent that the functionalist orientation
largely determines what is included in the description of the item to be
interpreted. Thus, the description of a magical performance or a
ceremonial is not confined to the account of the spell or formula, the
rite and the performers. It includes a systematic account of the
people participating and the onlookers, of the types and rates of interaction
among performers and audience, of changes in these patterns of interaction
in the course of the ceremonial (1968, p. 110).