When I was a child I was raised in the Mormon Church and subsequently left at the age of 18. However one rite of passage that stands out to me from my childhood is of the baptism. The Mormon church does their baptism at the age of 8, after they believe a child knows the difference between right and wrong.
In the first phase, people withdraw from the group and begin moving from one place or status to another. So in this case the child would know already what baptism is and start to become ready for it nearing their eighth birthday. Really its more of a mental thing than a physical one in this rite, and for an 8 year old it isn't really that substantial. However adults that convert go through the same process no matter the age so it can become more meaningful I guess the older you convert.
The next phase is one of cutting oneself off or being detached from the former self, in this case its as simple as maybe acting older or if an adult, dropping a long held habit of smoking or drinking perhaps.
The third phase of reentering the society happens after the actual baptism in water and the child is blessed with the holy spirit. They are now back in the society as a full member of the church.
Looking back at this ritual after leaving the church for 5 years I can see it more as a ritual based on many old beliefs. I guess I see it as an outsider now instead of an insider, and there is quite a difference.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Midterm Essay Questions
Ten Points Each (Answer Six Questions) I want examples from the reading, class discussions, etc...
1) Explain the importance of language to group identity? Provide examples.
2) How do the Jesuit colonists portray Native Americans in the Jesuit Relations readings? How much do we learn about them from this reading? Do these accounts tell you more about the Native Americans or the Jesuit colonists?
3) What is the Kula ring? Why did Malinowski think that this practice was important? Did he find any rituals in his own culture that were analogous to the Kula ring practice?
4) In the article “The Hunters: Scarce Resources in the Kalahari”, the author assesses the day-to-day life of !Kung life. How does their day-to-day life as foragers compare with that held by many anthropologists in the 1960s. In a broader sense, how might the day-to-day life of such people differ from agriculturalists, or pastoralists?
5) What was the ecology of Easter Island when Polynesians first arrived on the island about A.D. 400? What did they eat? What changes happened to their environment? How did this affect their lives and does this apply to anything happening in the world today?
6) In the article “Reciprocity and the Power of Giving” and our discussions about gift giving, what do we mean by reciprocity? What is the social function of reciprocity? How can giving be used to intimidate other people or groups? Give examples from class, you own life, and the article.
7) Based on the article “Life Without Fathers or Husbands,” what is the basic domestic unit in Na society and what are its main social and economic functions? Describe the Na society. What are the culturally defined ways that Na men and women meet and set up assignations? Are there taboos and other restrictions on their sexual activity defined by their culture?
8) In “Symbolizing Roles: Beyond the Veil,” explain the meaning to Westerner of the veil worm by Middle Eastern women. How does this view reflect Western values? What means does the veil have for many Middle Eastern women? How do these meanings relate to the Muslim concept of purdah and other Middle Eastern values?
9) How does Laura Bohannan’s interpretation of “Shakespereae in the Bush,” fail in some ways? How does her story to the Tiv deomonstrate the concept of naïve realism? How does her story represent cross-cultural misunderstanding? What parts of Hamlet didn’t work for the Tiv?
As always let me know if you have questions!
1) Explain the importance of language to group identity? Provide examples.
2) How do the Jesuit colonists portray Native Americans in the Jesuit Relations readings? How much do we learn about them from this reading? Do these accounts tell you more about the Native Americans or the Jesuit colonists?
3) What is the Kula ring? Why did Malinowski think that this practice was important? Did he find any rituals in his own culture that were analogous to the Kula ring practice?
4) In the article “The Hunters: Scarce Resources in the Kalahari”, the author assesses the day-to-day life of !Kung life. How does their day-to-day life as foragers compare with that held by many anthropologists in the 1960s. In a broader sense, how might the day-to-day life of such people differ from agriculturalists, or pastoralists?
5) What was the ecology of Easter Island when Polynesians first arrived on the island about A.D. 400? What did they eat? What changes happened to their environment? How did this affect their lives and does this apply to anything happening in the world today?
6) In the article “Reciprocity and the Power of Giving” and our discussions about gift giving, what do we mean by reciprocity? What is the social function of reciprocity? How can giving be used to intimidate other people or groups? Give examples from class, you own life, and the article.
7) Based on the article “Life Without Fathers or Husbands,” what is the basic domestic unit in Na society and what are its main social and economic functions? Describe the Na society. What are the culturally defined ways that Na men and women meet and set up assignations? Are there taboos and other restrictions on their sexual activity defined by their culture?
8) In “Symbolizing Roles: Beyond the Veil,” explain the meaning to Westerner of the veil worm by Middle Eastern women. How does this view reflect Western values? What means does the veil have for many Middle Eastern women? How do these meanings relate to the Muslim concept of purdah and other Middle Eastern values?
9) How does Laura Bohannan’s interpretation of “Shakespereae in the Bush,” fail in some ways? How does her story to the Tiv deomonstrate the concept of naïve realism? How does her story represent cross-cultural misunderstanding? What parts of Hamlet didn’t work for the Tiv?
As always let me know if you have questions!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Coming back of the Veil
The veil has been coming back to many Middle Eastern cultures. For some people the veil is coming back as people are trying to get back to their Muslim roots and moving away from the Western style of dress. Men are using this as a way in there home to show that they are head of the house and are in control of their women. On the other hand women are using it as a sign that even though they are now working outside of the house that they are still proper women and still follow Muslim traditions.
VEILED
I think it was that quote early on in the passage that talked about how the veil is just a piece of cloth, equality between men and women is not just an article of clothing. Its marriage rights, job equality, and just the way society views women that are way more important. Its just our outsiders point of view, its all we see so its what we get upset about.
Who are we to judge?
In the Middle East, the veil and purdah are symbols that represent their cultural beliefs. It represents restriction in men and women's behavior, social status, protection of women from outside the home, religion sanction, conceals identity, and signals, "Hands off! Don't touch me or you'll be sorry." Recently there has been a resurgence of the veil in several Middle Eastern societies. It may not mean anything to westerners, but to men and women in the Middle East it is a custom that women have gone through throughout history. Nouha al Hejelan, wife of the Saudi Arabian ambassador to London stated, "If I wanted to take it all off [the abayah and veil], I would have long ago. It wouldn't mean as much to me as it does to you." There is not only a simple social and wealth status, but it also is a symbol that women feel honored to obtain. I personally have always thought that wearing the veil is something Middle Eastern women didn't like and was forced upon them. Now that I read this it's clear that the women feel honored to wear the veil and respect what it stands for.
unraveling the veil of new meaning
The explanation behind the resurgence of the veil in Middle Eastern societies is that throughout the years and liberation of women in the Middle East there has come a new found meaning to the veil on a personal level. It’s in response to the evolution of their society, a mixture of the new liberated women and her religious heritage she was born in to. The veil is now seen in a non-constricting light, as a tool for empowerment and respect, showing the individuals morals.
Question One: Western women tend to consider the veil to be such a condescending item, when, there are so many other conflicts that Middle Eastern Women want to conquer. It's almost condescending for Western Women to assume that this is what Middle Eastern women focus on rather than perhaps, their right to have a drivers license or vote. The veil is a cultural custom and has been for centuries. Many women may not want to wear them and they certainly shouldn't have to. But on the other hand, many women do want to wear them and this shouldn't be so terrifying for Western Women to accept. They probably think it's odd that we insist on wearing ridiculous amounts of make-up and have no problem wearing revealing clothing. Talk about condescending. I think it reflects ethnocentricity upon Western perception.
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