A Celebration Of Customs Rituals Of The World

Explores initiation rites, wedding feasts, harvest celebrations, religious rituals, and many other customs used around the world to mark all kinds of special occasions. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

Many events have evolved over centuries, drawing on local customs and conditions. However, as the world becomes increasingly globalised, traditional events and the identities they support are increasingly being challenged and rituals may be lost. Reacting against this trend towards homogeneity, communities strive to preserve and even recreate their traditional events, which may require rituals to be resurrected or reinvented for a new audience. The aim of this book is to explore the role of traditional events and rituals in the modern world. The 16 chapters cover a range of case studies of the performance of ritual through events, including their historical antecedents and development over time, as well as their role in society, link with identities both seemingly fixed and fluid and their continued relevance. The cases examined are not museum pieces, but rather vibrant festivals and events that continue to persist. Drawing on the power of history and cultural tradition, they are manifestations of heritage, existing in three temporalities: celebrating the past, occurring in the present and aiming to continue into and influence the future. Iconic events including Chinese New Year, Hogmanay and the New Orleans Mardi Gras are examined and examples are drawn from a diverse range of countries such as South Korea, China, Laos, the United States, Scotland, Italy, India and Haiti. This volume provides a deep understanding upon the role of tradition and ritual within events, from a global perspective and will be valuable reading for students, researchers and academics interested in events, heritage and culture.

Diversity is all around us, celebrate, embrace, and represent your culture on your special day. Incorporate rituals, ceremonies, and traditions, there are many ways to honor and incorporate your ancestry during wedding ceremony and celebration. Many nationalities and cultures chose to include their heritage and traditions, embrace it and incorporate all that applies.

Welcome to "Cultural Mosaic: Fascinating Facts About Traditions And Customs Around the World," a comprehensive collection of unique cultural practices and beliefs from different countries and regions. This book is a celebration of diversity and a journey into the rich tapestry of global customs that shape our world. Targeted at Problem Identification: In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, it is crucial to understand and appreciate the different traditions and customs of various cultures. This book aims to help readers recognize and respect the distinct practices of different societies, fostering a sense of unity and understanding in an often divided world. Solution-Oriented: By shedding light on the unique customs and traditions of different cultures, this book seeks to break down barriers and promote cultural awareness and acceptance. It encourages readers to embrace diversity and celebrate the richness of our global heritage. Content That Captivates: From the vibrant festivals of India to the ancient rituals of Japan, "Cultural Mosaic" delves into the fascinating and often surprising traditions that shape the way people live and interact in different parts of the world. Through engaging stories and anecdotes, readers will be transported to far-off lands and gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of human civilization. Special Features That Stand Out: This book stands out for its engaging writing style, vibrant illustrations, and interactive elements that bring the customs and traditions of different cultures to life. Readers will be captivated by the vivid descriptions and insightful commentary that immerses them in the sights, sounds, and flavors of faraway lands. Educational Value: "Cultural Mosaic" is not just a collection of facts and figures; it is an educational tool that encourages readers to think critically and explore the complexities of our global society. Each chapter is filled with thought-provoking questions, activities, and discussion points that challenge readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, "Cultural Mosaic" invites you on a journey of discovery and enlightenment. Step into the world of different cultures and traditions, and experience the beauty and diversity of our global community. This book is anyone curious about the world beyond their doorstep and eager to expand their horizons.

To give her family and friends a deep experience of earth-based spirituality, Jane Meredith holds eight rituals per year, celebrating the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter festivals. 'Rituals of Celebration' provides accounts of the most memorable rituals she's organised, as well as how-to instructions for creating the rituals.

"The book is breezy and entertaining and Hopgood is charmingly self-deprecating about her own mothering of the formidable Sofia, who emerges as a sassy character in her own right."—Boston Globe A tour of global practices that will inspire American parents to expand their horizons (and geographical borders) and learn that there’s more than one way to diaper a baby. Mei-Ling Hopgood, a first-time mom from suburban Michigan—now living in Buenos Aires—was shocked that Argentine parents allow their children to stay up until all hours of the night. Could there really be social and developmental advantages to this custom? Driven by a journalist’s curiosity and a new mother’s desperation for answers, Hopgood embarked on a journey to learn how other cultures approach the challenges all parents face: bedtimes, potty training, feeding, teaching, and more. Observing parents around the globe and interviewing anthropologists, educators, and child-care experts, she discovered a world of new ideas. The Chinese excel at potty training, teaching their wee ones as young as six months old. Kenyans wear their babies in colorful cloth slings—not only is it part of their cultural heritage, but strollers seem outright silly on Nairobi’s chaotic sidewalks. And the French are experts at turning their babies into healthy, adventurous eaters. Hopgood tested her discoveries on her spirited toddler, Sofia, with some enlightening results. This intimate and surprising look at the ways other cultures raise children offers parents the option of experimenting with tried and true methods from around the world and shows that there are many ways to be a good parent.

This is a handbook on how to perform sacred ceremonies in the tradition of Goddess spirituality in one's own home with ordinary household items. An annual cycle of celebrations is included, as is advice on how to set up an altar and use simple tools. The author, a practitioner of Wicca (witchcraft), expounds the life-affirming, eco-feminist values of that tradition. Suggestions for rituals and ideas for inventing one's own are given. Poetry and blessings blend in a title which supports celebration of the Goddess image in daily life. These rituals are personal, moving rites which celebrate love and peace, and which act as meditations for considering new rituals, old traditions, and the course of women's lives.

This single-volume work covers many traditions, customs, and activities Westerners may find unusual or shocking, covering everything from the Ashanti people's funeral celebrations to wife-carrying competitions in Finland. In Maharashtra, India, a tradition exists to throw newborn babies off the tops of buildings. At the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand, some people ritualistically pierce their cheeks and faces with swords and knives. How did these surprising customs come to be? From camel wrestling to cheese-rolling competitions to a tomato-throwing festival, this fascinating single-volume encyclopedia examines more than 100 customs, traditions, and rituals that may be considered strange and exotic to U.S. readers. This work provides high school and undergraduate students with a compelling and fascinating exploration of world customs and traditions. Comprising entries by anthropologists, religious leaders, scholars, dancers, musicians, historians, and artists from almost every continent in the world, this encyclopedia provides readers a truly global and multidisciplinary perspective. The entries explore the origins of the custom, explain how it was established as a tradition, and describe how and where it is practiced. A thematic guide enables readers to look up entries by the type of tradition or custom, such as birth, coming of age, courtship and wedding, funeral, daily customs, holidays, and festivals.