Rituals to be Safeguarded or Negated?
Much of what we humans do, and why we do it, pretty much boils down to the notions of rituals. Whether one is in pursuit of a goal, driven by ambition, or engaged in customary aspects of everyday life, our ways are rudimentarily, and sometimes conspicuously, born out or/and affected by rituals. More often than not, “Rituals” are attributed to religious practices or traditional endeavours of a community. Neither are you at fault nor are you alone for massively understating the extensive hold rituals have over humanity.
Rites of passage, superstitious affairs, purification rites, oaths of allegiance, coming of age ceremonies, coronations… Yes! Rituals are all that.
But more uncommonly so are ethical norms, behavioural expectations, human gesticulations, and protocols observed around the world.
It would not be an oversimplification to state that contemporary society is a functional establishment that is a hodgepodge of rituals, which have either expired or will outlast us. The multitude of cultures that surround us exhibit multifarious practices when juxtaposed with each other. Anthropologists have time and again emphasised the impact rituals have had on the variegated nature of humankind in addition to other influencing factors, which have been comprehensively studied.
After all, isn’t history determinant of the present?
Take for instance rituals associated with agricultural festivals. Makar Sankranti celebrated in the northern regions of India and considered to be the oldest and most colourful festival, is known for its carnivals, celebration of harvest with bonfire, dances, and kite flying. While way down the south, Kerala celebrates Onam, where Malayalees decorate their houses with floral rangoli, wear traditional clothes, and cook delicious snacks and the like. A simple google search intimates 17 odd such acclaimed festivals across this world’s second-most populous country. Whew! We aren’t even drawing stats for the world at large…
These festivals and their characteristic rituals have brought communities and families close for generations, and have perpetuated the essence of harmony, and togetherness amongst people. The same can be said about the festivities associated with Christmas, Thanksgiving, Eid Ul Fitr, and more.
Why negation?
Undoubtedly so, we have borne witness to murky times too; owing to certain heinous and draconian ritualistic practices – both in the past and sadly even today. Sacrificial rituals, alleged witchcraft and occult practices, patriarchal customs, bodily mutilations, animal cruelty, and more rack up on the list of the most abject ritualistic practices. On a more woeful note, history has several classic examples illustrating the oppression of women and their trials and tribulations, further worsened by inhumane and often patriarchal laws of the past.
Though Sati (forced self-immolation of widows upon her deceased husbands’ pyre) in India stands abolished, and emancipation of women and their equal rights have been in focus, we as a nation are still plagued by deplorable practises like the dowry system, menstruation myths, and orthodox restrictive practices.
Though strict laws have been implemented, animal cruelty as an extension of vile rituals is still nigh high. Bullfighting in Tamil Nadu, India, and animal sacrifices in part of Africa, are still extant maladies.
As the LA Times rightfully points out,
“ Religious freedom does not justify animal sacrifice”.
For outcries against rituals incorporating physical harm of the human body, there are still un-abating cases of people observing body mutilations to appease supernatural entities.
Pensive Renaissance – Safeguarding, Modifying, and Negation
Most of us identify with an identity of sorts, and the pillars of society have been established on our cultural backgrounds. Safeguarding of rituals are indeed necessary; for they are instrumental in preserving our identity. A total lack of them would leave us with a subdued level of sentience and more machine-like creatures that fail to connect and embrace our fascinating past. Yet it is equally imperative that harmful and presently irrelevant rituals be abrogated. Purists may argue – “Who are we to pick and choose what we should and not?” To them I posit – Aren’t we so pompously proud of ourselves as an advanced species? The pinnacle of the so-called evolutionary ladder. And rightfully so, with great power comes great responsibility. While some rituals are to continue, the ones that are ghastly, nefarious, and outwardly wrong need negation.
Surely, we can count on logical discretion to… Pick and Choose!
And who is to say that rituals cant be modified unto changing times? Life is ephemeral, the universe is ever so transient, and survival has always counted on adaptation to changing times. It’s time we embrace change.
On an intriguing note, rituals are created by the day, whether it be prayers, habitual routines, or something esoteric. Rituals are born, sustain, and certainly not so unfortunate ones die out. All that counts, is the Human Experience! Indeed holds different meanings, yet integral to all of us. All under one umbrella of goodwill.
