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Cultural Rituals Project

This document provides instructions for a student project analyzing a cultural ritual. Students are asked to select a ritual from the provided list and write a 4 paragraph paper analyzing the ritual's efficacy, aesthetics, and theatrical qualities. The first paragraph should introduce the ritual's practitioners and provide a description. The second paragraph is to discuss the ritual's origins and efficacy. The third paragraph focuses on the ritual's aesthetic elements. The fourth analyzes how the ritual could be viewed as a form of theatre. Students are also asked to include 3 photos of the ritual with descriptions.

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216 views

Cultural Rituals Project

This document provides instructions for a student project analyzing a cultural ritual. Students are asked to select a ritual from the provided list and write a 4 paragraph paper analyzing the ritual's efficacy, aesthetics, and theatrical qualities. The first paragraph should introduce the ritual's practitioners and provide a description. The second paragraph is to discuss the ritual's origins and efficacy. The third paragraph focuses on the ritual's aesthetic elements. The fourth analyzes how the ritual could be viewed as a form of theatre. Students are also asked to include 3 photos of the ritual with descriptions.

Uploaded by

CHSCougarTheatre
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cultural Rituals

Efficacy & Aesthetics


The Origins of Theatre

Objective
To analyze a specific cultural ritual for both its efficacy (effect/result/belief) and aesthetics (beauty
of presentational elements). This research project is intended to provide you with the opportunity
to explore our class discussion on rituals more fully, as well as examine rituals and myths as a
point of origin and form of theatrical performance.

Grading
This project will be counted as a Major Grade (70%) and is due 9/10/2020 by 5 pm. The paper will
be graded on the student’s analysis of the selected ritual’s (1) efficacy, (2) aesthetics, and (3)
theatrical quality. Spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration for grading.

Part 1: Directions
Students will select one of the cultural rituals from the list provided. Students will independently
research the cultural ritual. Students will write at least a 4 paragraph paper about the ritual.
Paragraphs must have at least 4 sentences each. Students will need to write the paper in their
own words. Do not copy & paste information off of a website. Students will use Google Docs for
this project.
1. The first paragraph should include:
a.) Who are the people who celebrate/celebrated the ritual?
b.) What area/country/lands did the people reside/resided in?
c.) A brief description of the ritual the people practice.
d.) The location of the ritual and where it is practiced.
2. The second paragraph should describe the ritual origin (why it started) and its efficacy
(results/beliefs/outcomes).

1
a.) List the god, deity, supernatural entity, or element the ritual utilizes in worship, or in
which the ritual has evolved from.
b.) Is there a backstory or a myth involved in this ritual? If so, tell the story in your own
words.
c.) The specific time in which the ritual is performed.
d.) What do the people believe will happen if they complete the ritual? What is the desired
outcome?
e.) Based on your research do you believe that the ritual is effective? Do they reach the
desired outcome?
3. The third paragraph should describe the aesthetic qualities of the ritual
(beauty/presentation).
a.) Describe the ritual or ceremonial costume/dress.
b.) Describe the makeup or hairstyles.
c.) Describe specific adornments/jewelry.
d.) Describe any locational decor (altar, shrines, fire torches, fruits, garland). Be specific.
e.) Does the ritual involve chanting, singing, speeches, prayers?
f.) Does the ritual use music?
g.) Does the ritual use symbols?
4.) The fourth paragraph should discuss how this ritual could be viewed as a form of theatre.
a.) How does this ritual include it’s participants?
b.) Would it be entertaining to view?
c.) Would the participants/viewers walk away changed in any way? (physically, emotionally,
mentally or spiritually)
d.) How does the ritual’s efficacy, and aesthetics blend together to make an event?

Part 2: Directions
On a separate page, please include 3 photos of the ritual and include brief descriptions of each
photo. Describe what is happening or illustrated in each picture.

2
List of Rituals
(Select one ritual to focus on for your project.)

Canang Sari (Bali) Tuaro Ma’ohi Polynesian Games (Tahiti)


Yi Torch Festival (Yunnan, China) Finger Amputation (Dani Tribe, Indonesia)
Durga Puja (West Bengal, India) Oman National Day (Oman)
Timkat Festival (Ethiopia) Guérewol (Wodaabe Tribe, Niger)
Ta Moko Tapu (Maori People, New Zealand) Fasnacht Basel (Switzerland)
Hanal Pixan (Mexico) Ahaaina Feast (Hawaii, USA)
Beehive Fireworks Festival (Taiwan) All Souls Procession (Arizona, USA)
Lucia (Sweden) Ashura (Iraq & Iran)
Ancient Mayan Rituals/Rites Thaipusam (Malaysia)
Tak Bat (Laos) Lisbon Sardine Festival (Portugal)
Yi Peng or Loi Krathong (Thailand) Vision Quest (Various Native American Tribes,
USA)
Fasching (Germany)
Saraswati Puja (India)
Festival of San Martino (Italy)
Polterabend (Germany)
Bonfire Night (England)
The Healing Dance (San People, South Africa,
Idzila Adornment (Ndebele Tribe, South Africa)
Namibia, Botswana & Angola)
Shinbyu (Myanmar)
Semana Santa (Spain)
Cherry Blossom Festival (Japan)
Teeth Sharpening (Indonesia)
Sak Yant Blessing Tattoo Ceremony (Thailand)
Krampus (Alps)
Seonyu Julbul Nori (South Korea)
Carnival (Brazil)
Smoking Ceremony (Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Oktoberfest (Germany)
Islanders, Australia)
St. Patrick’s Day (Ireland)
Persian Wedding Ceremony (Iran)
Peyote Ceremonies (Native American Tribes, USA)
Khmer Water Blessing (Cambodia)
El Colacho Festival (Spain)
Bride Kidnapping (Kyrgyzstan)
Sky Burial (Tibet)
Muck Up Day (Australia)
Bullet Ant Glove Rite of Passage (Satere-Mawe
Hanging Coffins (Philippines)
Tribe, Amazon
Ancient Viking Rituals
Pura Puseh Temple Hindu Ceremony (Bali)
Tapati Festival (Chile)
Sema Ceremony of the Dervishes (Istanbul)

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