Cultural Traditions: Rituals, Customs, and Myths

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Questions and Answers

What best describes a ritual?

  • A way of dressing for a formal event
  • A set of activities performed in a fixed sequence and repeated periodically (correct)
  • A process of learning a new culture
  • A story that represents a culture's ideals

A custom is typically associated with a specific event.

False (B)

Give an example of a ritual.

Wedding

A __________ is a story with symbolic elements that represent a culture’s ideals.

<p>myth</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Ritual = Set of activities performed periodically Custom = Way of doing something Myth = Story with symbolic meaning Acculturation = Process of learning a new culture</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents sacred consumption?

<p>A pilgrimage to Mecca (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Profane consumption refers to objects treated with respect and awe.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe enculturation.

<p>The process of learning one’s own culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ritual

A set of actions performed in a specific order, often repeated on a regular basis. Examples include holiday traditions and rites of passage.

Custom

A way of doing something related to a specific event or independent of an event. A custom can be tied to consumption or specific objects.

Myth

A story with symbolic elements that reflects a culture's values and beliefs. They often explain origins or provide models for behavior.

Acculturation

The process of learning and adopting a new culture. This can be through immigration, travel, or other experiences.

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Enculturation

The process of learning and internalizing your own culture, often starting from childhood.

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Sacred Consumption

The act of consuming objects or events that are considered to be outside of everyday life and treated with respect. Sacred consumption often has a spiritual or religious significance.

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Profane Consumption

The act of consuming everyday objects and events that are considered ordinary. This is the opposite of sacred consumption.

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Study Notes

Rituals

  • Rituals are sets of activities performed in a fixed sequence and repeated periodically.
  • Examples include holiday rituals, gift-giving rituals, and rites of passage (marking a social status change).
  • Rituals can be utilitarian (practical) or symbolic.
  • Rituals often involve consumption, as seen in weddings (ranging from a single event to month-long celebrations, e.g., Indian weddings).

Customs

  • Customs are ways of doing something.
  • Customs can be tied to an event (like a ritual), but can also be independent.
  • An example is wearing a black tie for a formal dinner (not a ritual).
  • Customs are often tied to consumption.
  • The wearing of kimonos in Japan, a traditional Japanese garment, is a custom tied to consumption. Kimonos vary by season, event, age, and marital status.

Myths

  • Myths are stories with symbolic elements representing a culture's ideals.
  • Examples include Santa Claus, which is tied to Christmas consumption.
  • Myths perform several functions:
    • They explain the origins of existence (metaphysical).
    • They show the universe is a single connected picture (cosmological).
    • They maintain social order (sociological) by providing a social code.
    • They model personal conduct (psychological).

Sacred and Profane Consumption

  • Sacred consumption involves treating objects/events with respect and awe, often seen as set apart from daily normal activities (e.g., Mecca, Stonehenge).
  • Profane consumption involves ordinary objects/events that are regularly consumed.

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