Issue207 永不言弃第二十四次作业 by 9#

cameo0320UID: 2599448

TOPIC: ISSUE207 - "Rituals and ceremonies help define a culture. Without them, societies or groups of people have a diminished sense of who they are."
WORDS: 556
TIME: 00:45:00
DATE: 2009-03-03 18:44:18

Who am I? Who are we? How to distinct ourselves from others? How to depart a culture from others? As the author speaks, rituals and ceremonies help define a culture, I agree with this assertion partly, at the same time I think there are still other factors help societies or groups of people to preserve cultural identity.

Admittedly, rituals and ceremonies play an important role in the development of a society and in defining a culture. Every nation and every country has its own rituals and ceremonies which are different from others. Relying on these rituals and ceremonies people could find their group the people in which enjoy the same value system and have the same life style. For example, the Islam will go to hajj Makkah in a certain time, and they also have a fast month in which they can't eat any food in day time. Any Islam would like to confirm theses rituals which are the heritage of their religion and their belief. In a word, it is the rituals and ceremonies make Islam a independent culture and a distinct and autonomous nation.

However, it does means that the rituals and ceremonies is stubborn and unchangeable. With the development of modern society and technology, there are more and
more new customs emergence and become the crucial part of people and society. And some old rituals and ceremonies have disappeared or replaced by other new forms. Such as the Spring Festival, a traditional ceremony of Chinese, has changed a lot compared with its original. In the ancient time, people have to get up early in that day and “pay a New Year call”. But in these years, an increasing number of people chose send messages to the friends and relatives to express their misses and cares.

Besides, the trend of globalization make it possible and easy to contact with other countries and other nations. As a result, one nation's rituals and ceremonies are accepted by other countries, the unique characteristics have become universal culture. Actually, Christmas , commemorate the the birthday of Jesus Christ ,
has been familiar with many countries, such as China, more and more young people prefer to enjoy the “peaceful night”.

On the other hand, how to define "culture", is it just contains rituals and ceremonies? As far as I am concerned, there are still other factors which are the important part of culture, and help people have a diminished sense of who they are. Such as the language, the great buildings, the history, and the unbelievable arts. When we look at the forth civilizations, we find it is the beautiful and unique history that depart them from other countries. China, has five thousands years history, have great wall, have many interesting paintings and so on, the all elements consist a whole Chinese culture and help Chinese people have a diminished sense of who they are..


In sum, though rituals and ceremonies play significant role in defining a culture, we should be aware the change of them with the development of society and globalization, besides it is also important to pay attention to other factors of culture, which not only a part of a certain culture but also help a society or a group of people have a diminished sense of who they are.