Cultural Rituals and death
Different societies and communities across the world are differently organized, based on their native settings, and the environments from which they evolved. One of the most essential things to note in this case is the fact that culture is one of the inheritable tenets of out day to day activities and living. At the same time, it is one of the strongest characteristics of each and every culture. As a result, it has been passed on from one generation to the other, for many centuries and millenniums. This is partly one of the reasons why it has come out to be as strong as it is across all cultures, making it hard for the cultures to drop it, or assimilate other cultures’ practices (Williams, 2013).
The American cultural rituals and death
The Paleo-Indians, originally from Asia, migrated into the American continent approximately 10,000 years ago. Their migration led to the tagging along of their cultural practices, which included art, social habits, traditions, dialects, cuisines and folklore. At the same time, however, it is necessary to note that America was affected by small-scale migration, a situation whereby many different immigrants moved into the continent, resulting to a cocktailed culture. This is a case whereby many different cultures from different regions come together into one concrete culture. These include the Welsh, Scottish, English and Irish cultures among others. The most dominant culture, however, was the Native Indian culture. This was a nomadic tribe, whereby land ownership was a fuzzy, fluid concept. As a result, timber, fishing and wildlife are among some of their most essential components, since they relied on the same for food, construction and settlement. Secondly, from a spiritual perspective, the culture had a semi-formal setting, whereby the community exercised freedom of spiritual belief and religious practice. This is, partially, due to the fact that the Paleo-Indian culture was nomadic, and as a result, there was a tendency for the cultural and religious belief’s changes. Secondly, since different other cultures were being introduced from different immigrants leading to cases of culture assimilation, this encouraged cultural permissiveness. These are some of reasons why cultural and spiritual practices are permissive in the modern American culture today. Lastly, death, across the American culture, is a family affair, characterized by the grief and close family cooperation, for burial and last respect organization and coordination. In most cases, the grieved dress in black, to signify grief and sadness (Williams, 2013).
The Asian culture
Unlike the American culture which is signified and characterized by permissiveness, the Asian culture is a complete opposite of the same. This is due to the fact that it is characterized by a conservative approach, whereby the people Asian people are very dedicated to observing and practicing their cultures. This is one of the reasons why it has been adopted at the family level, and observation of various traditional cultures, beliefs, activities and festivities among other starts in the family, and expands to the society. Most essentially to note concerning the Asian culture is the fact that the family is the most essential building block of the society. In this case therefore, the culture is particular in making sure that the family is well organized and coalesced, and that there is a good relationship between the members of the nuclear family, characterized by closeness and good relations. This is later extended to the extended family. The Asian culture is rich in festivities, celebrations and the adoption of art, and these are some of the basic tenets that define it, as well as their widely adventured cuisines and ethnic development. Factors and aspects such as folklore are exhibited through their cultural festivities and celebrations (Fung, 2013).
Death in the Asian culture marks the end of life, and the reconnection of the society member with the ancestors. At the same time, it is considered a taboo and lack of societal norm observation to keep the dead for long, without offering the last respects. In this case, therefore, most of the communities in the Asian culture make sure that they bury or cremate the dead within twenty four hours from the time of the deceased’s departure. However, disposal of the dead is differently organized in the Asian culture, whereby some bury the dead in tombs graves, while others such as the Far East Asian culture cremate the body and dispose the ashes in the sea and oceans (Fung, 2013).
The African culture
One of the most strikingly conspicuous characteristic of the African culture is its conservative organization, in most cases, some of the communities being extremely conservative and too rigid for change, influence or evolution. However, the most essential thing to note concerning the African culture is the fact that it is rich in traditions, folklore, beliefs, values and art. In most cases, the culture is organized from a societal perspective, whereby, the family is the smallest unit within which traditional and cultural practices are enhanced. The father is the main figure that represents the societal culture. Death in the African culture marks the end of life, whereby one joins the living dead, and later the ancestors. It is characterized by sadness, grief and societal cooperation in consoling the grieved persons, who in this case include the family and close friends. In the African culture, it is a taboo to come into contact with the dead person (Chambers, 2012).
References
Chambers, C. (2012). African Culture. New York: Harvard University Press, pp. 77-85.
Fung, A. (2013). Asian Popular Culture: The Global (Dis)continuity. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, pp. 188-233.
Williams, S. (2013). American Life and Culture in Orange Mound: Case Study of a Black Community in Memphis, Tennessee and 1890. New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 100-122.
