Traversing shrines: Pausing as place-making

Abstract

This paper explores the traversing shrine Pooh Bear's Corner as a dynamic place of power arising from pauses in travel dedicated to the act of traversing. Using a boundary work lens we examine how modalities of pausing—taking pause, giving pause, and making pause—create significant orientation points within journeys. Through interviews and field research, the study captures the narratives of travellers, highlighting the site's role in enriching the travel experience and cultural landscape. The findings emphasize the importance of pausing as temporary cessations in motion along the journey. This research contributes to the field by introducing the concept of traversing shrines, offering insights into their creation and significance as communal memory sites along travel routes. Show more