ANT-2 Chapter 2: Ant-1_ch_2_ritual_notes_
Document Summary
A patterned, repetitive behaviour focused on the supernatural realm. The enactment of beliefs expressed in myth and doctrine. Distinct from secular rituals (sorority/fraternity initiations etc. ) Some ritual events may combine sacred and secular elements response to unscheduled events, such as drought or flood, or to mark events in a person"s life such as illness, infertility, birth, marriage or death. Thanksgiving is no longer only the sacred event of giving thanks to god. Secular aspects may be important like tradition of watching football. Marks a change in status from one life stage to another of an individual or group. The initiate is separated physically, socially or symbolically from normal life. In many cultures, adolescents are secluded for several years in separate huts or areas away from the village. When the person is no longer in the previous status but is not yet a member of the next stage.