Example Of Essay On Rituals, Traditions, Ceremonies And Group Identity

Rituals, traditions and ceremonies play a central role in the development of group identity. Performance, body and sense actions define the ritual processes undertaken by a group. Rituals are accompanied by ceremonies and these include rites of passage, marriages, and worship and purification rites. Invariance, sacral-symbolism, performance and traditionalism characterize rituals. Traditions, rituals and ceremonies vary from group to group hence the association with specific groups. Various religions have different practices and rituals that accompany the religious experience. Christmas is a day celebrated by Christians on 25th day of December. They celebrate birth of Jesus Christ in a ceremony involving family gatherings, purchase of gifts and massive decorations. The decorations include assembling of an evergreen Christmas tree with lights and hanging ornaments. Christian families attend mass on this consecrated holiday and thereafter feast together. Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Christians have dedicated Christmas as a day to help and share with the needy in the society as Jesus did. Muslims practice Islam which is a religion tracing its roots to teachings of Prophet Muhammad. Six Articles and five Pillars of faith unite Muslims in the community. They celebrate Ramadhan after a month long fasting and always wear special head and body coverings.
In southwest region of United States, Native American Pueblos perform an Annual Buffalo Festival. Males go hunting in the morning as earlier practiced by ancestors. Dancing ceremonies begin once they return with those who have come of age longing for their first dance. Feasting consisting of buffalos then follow the dance at various homesteads. Everybody must eat during the ceremony since it rude to refuse food in the Pueblo community. Throw takes place at dusk after dancing and feasting all night. The Throws involve families with children who have the first dance going to the roofs and throwing household items. Different groups’ ceremonial, traditional and ritual practices give them a unique character that differentiates a group from the rest. The groups range from religious groups to tribal, ethnic, racial and even nations.