RITUALS
1. Effect transformation – way to mark a change in a person’s life, can help more fully accept that change has happened; brings closure – a well-done rite becomes binding; it sticks; a place to grieve endings and celebrate beginnings
2. Bring order – change can be scary; a rite creates a safe, orderly place where change can happen in a profound way; a place to purge emotions; marks a transition and allows grief to rise to the surface (why do so few cry a funerals)
3. Develop community – way to get support and celebrate change; BUT our society only recognizes a few rites – can do a rite with a small group, but not be recognized by others in society
BRAINSTORM MAJOR LIFE EVENTS THAT HAVE A “RITE OF PASSAGE”
3 stages in a rite of passage
1. Separation – lose identity
- clean, dress differently (or go naked), new place entered in special way, symbolic death of old person, destroy something symbolic
2. Transition – change – “liminal period” – threshold between two stages
- sing, dancing in unison, symbolic actions and objects like flowers, candles, fire, sacred
objects (traditional), inculcate values (faithfulness,…), physical challenge (carry casket, dighole…), change physiology by fasting, not sleeping, dancing all night, etc. , in cave/womb – await re-birth, something to be created, new knowledge
3. Incorporation – recognition of new identity
- sign legal papers, cleansing, feast, party, speeches recognizing new (and humiliating a bit), mark the change: new clothes, hair, tattoo).
discuss various things that happen at each stage with a partner
WHY DO WE DO THESE THINGS? Think about a social science perspective that could explain some of the rituals we discussed.
1. Effect transformation – way to mark a change in a person’s life, can help more fully accept that change has happened; brings closure – a well-done rite becomes binding; it sticks; a place to grieve endings and celebrate beginnings
2. Bring order – change can be scary; a rite creates a safe, orderly place where change can happen in a profound way; a place to purge emotions; marks a transition and allows grief to rise to the surface (why do so few cry a funerals)
3. Develop community – way to get support and celebrate change; BUT our society only recognizes a few rites – can do a rite with a small group, but not be recognized by others in society
BRAINSTORM MAJOR LIFE EVENTS THAT HAVE A “RITE OF PASSAGE”
3 stages in a rite of passage
1. Separation – lose identity
- clean, dress differently (or go naked), new place entered in special way, symbolic death of old person, destroy something symbolic
2. Transition – change – “liminal period” – threshold between two stages
- sing, dancing in unison, symbolic actions and objects like flowers, candles, fire, sacred
objects (traditional), inculcate values (faithfulness,…), physical challenge (carry casket, dighole…), change physiology by fasting, not sleeping, dancing all night, etc. , in cave/womb – await re-birth, something to be created, new knowledge
3. Incorporation – recognition of new identity
- sign legal papers, cleansing, feast, party, speeches recognizing new (and humiliating a bit), mark the change: new clothes, hair, tattoo).
discuss various things that happen at each stage with a partner
WHY DO WE DO THESE THINGS? Think about a social science perspective that could explain some of the rituals we discussed.