Ritual Theory , Rites of Passage, and Ritual Violence - Essay Assignment

Internal Code: MAS6313

Essay Assignment:

Questions: 1) Describe the setting, the reason for the ritual, who was there, what happened. 2) Describe the structure of the ritual you observed, the order of what happened. 3) If the ritual was a rite of passage, identify and discuss the various stages (pre-liminal, liminal, post-liminal). Did you observe communitas? 4) Discuss the symbols associated with the ritual and their meanings and functions in this particular ritual. 5) Discuss why this ritual was important for those who participated. Perhaps you talked informally with some of them? 6) What did it mean for them? The meanings may be diverse. 7)What is the broader social, cultural and/or religious significance of the ritual? What does it tell us about this group of people, the society, and culture they live in?