Bar-Mitzvah's Rituals

Ritual communication is an imperative part of life, it is important to the creation and maintenance of society as a whole. But it is important that people realize the influence that communication has on shaping us and the world around us. If we can understand it and recognize it in action then it goes without saying that we can fight it when it is misused. They also use fear to control the society they have created. The elders are using the concept of fear when they create “those they don’t speak of.” Knowing that could be the only way to keep the civilization from

3. Characterize the initiation ritual. How do you think it compares to the “real” ritual – if such a ritual exists?

Every Culture has a set of rituals that they partake in, that are often constructed over a long period of time. Simple Actions, and special moments contain so much meaning and make everlasting memories. All rituals despite the locations they originate from, or the location they are carried out in contain the same components, they are repetitive, symbolic, remind a certain group of people about their values and beliefs, and these rituals commemorate a significant moment. For example christians commemorate the birth of christ by attending mass, and many other cultures celebrate this moment in many different ways that have in depth symbolic meaning. In the book “Guests of the Sheik” by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea rituals play a major role. Fernea’s husband Bob is an anthropologist studying the occupants of a small village named El Nahra and their culture. Fernea has documented her experiences, and adventures, and her perspective of the many rituals that the townspeople participate in such as, Ramadan, Muharram, weddings, and pilgrimages. In Muslim culture pilgrimages are immensely important and can even lead to an elevated status. Such as the pilgrimage to Mecca. Fernea is able to participate in a pilgrimage to Karbala with a couple of the towns women she had befriended. The Pilgrimage to Karbala is a symbolic, and cultural ritual in the aspect that it is reenacted every year, and is full of symbolic meaning, commemorates an important occasion and reminds a culture about their

(I) “Greek culture was forged in the crucible of the Bronze Age civilization” which has heavily influenced millennia of cultures to follow (Pomeroy, Sarah B, and Rogers D. Spotswood Collection xiii). The height of the Bronze Age is defined by an exquisite amount of creative and youthful energy, beginning around the year of 1600 BC. Prominent rituals from these cultures and era are apparent through archeological findings and are even visible today via popular traditions and spiritual practices demonstrated in our contemporary society. A specific category of rituals, coming of age rituals, which are defined as “the attainment of prominence, respectability, recognition, or maturity”, were fundamental in the Bronze Age and were so pivotal to their society that they continue to exist today through different forms (Merriam-Webster). Contemporary Western ceremonies for transitional periods are influenced by Spartan and Mycenaean Bronze Age coming of age rituals.

Tradition is defined as the customs and beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation. Whether it be stories or certain ceremonies that take place, nearly every culture has their own traditions that they want to keep alive. In Silko’s Ceremony, this idea is turned on it’s head as most of the Indians in the novel fight to become more American and assimilate into that culture, especially the women and war veterans. Assimilation is an important theme in Ceremony that arcs over the course of the novel. In the beginning, many of the the Indians try to hold onto when they had purpose in the military as well as a sense of belonging in the White culture. As the novel progresses, Silko’s portrayal of assimilation steadily declines into the negative, paralleling the journey that the main character Tayo takes in order to heal himself from participating in the war.

Describe the purpose of the rite of passage from three perspectives: anthropologist, sociologist and psychologist

   In order to get initiated they need to show great qualities no warrior with physical flaw is chosen. After being approved by the ritual leader, a bullock is slaughtered and the chosen leader drinks the blood from the animal's neck. The four days of ritual takes

3) Religions use rituals as a mechanism of addressing the supernatural. As noted in the text, “all religions propose that there are important beings, powers, emotional states or qualities that exist apart from human beings”(268). Religions use ceremonial behavior and activities that carry symbolic meaning to attempt to connect to the supernatural force that is central to their religious belief. Practitioners may use prayers to ask for favors or give thanks to a deity, carry out sacrifices to placate a god, or use rites of spiritual initiation to mark a rite of passage, such as marriage, birth or

Dear exalted leader Great Ponga, during the fascinating time Sethra and I have spent at this unique planet beaming with life we have witnessed and identified many cultures, traditions, and rituals based around religions. The earthlings also known as humans follow many of these which are all unique in different aspects. From all of these religions Sethra and I have selected two which we closely observed and researched for you. These two religions are Hinduism and Buddhism, both of which have significant importance to millions of humans across the entire planet. They include many rituals such as different ceremonies for birth, initiation marriage and death. Practices are also present which vary depending on the rules that a follower of that religion

We all come from different cultures. Every culture has its own customs and beliefs. Even as a young child, we become accustomed to all the traditions and expectations that everyone around us has. When a child is born it does not know anything, but parents focus on teaching the child to act the way they want them to. The child’s first example is at home, the child sees his/her parents; the dad goes to work provides for the family. The mother is at home watching over the children, cleaning the house, and has the food ready for the family. Expectations are learned we are not born knowing that we are expected to do anything.

This cult to the ancestors led to the development of a funeral ritual which consisted of the bodies

The Nacirema culture has a norm where parents discuss the society’s rites with their children and teach them how to adhere to the tenets and principles associated with these rituals right after the initiation of the young ones into the rites (Miner, 1956). This norm is similar to a norm in my city of residence

Would you want to drink blood? Eat termites? How about have your baby tossed off of a building? These are just a few different rituals and cultures that exist all around our world. They might not be what we call “normal,” but to those who are practicing them, they are part of their popular or folk culture, and for them, are completely normal. Perspective is everything.

To participate in the main religious ritual for boys so they can enter ‘adulthood’ (in Hindu culture)

Girls on the other hand are iniated The young girls are gathered and are grouped in tents for several weeks. The elder woman of the village would come and teach them their proper place, to please a man. Often times laying on top of each other to get the feeling for a position or to become