Culture Analysis
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- Date Submitted: 04/16/2015 07:59 AM
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Cultural Context and Death
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Comparative Analysis: Death Rituals
Although death is universal the way it is acknowledged is invariably different across the globe. Death is still regarded as powerful, mysterious even, despite extensive studies that have been conducted to comprehend it. As a result, different cultures have formed different perceptions on death. This has in turn influenced the death rituals performed after a person dies. This comparative essay compares and contrasts the death rituals between different cultures. The study compares and contrasts the death rituals in my American culture, focusing on middle-income earning, Protestant Americans, with that of Africans, specifically the Jahunda people of Zimbabwe. Analysis indicates that whereas death is a revered phenomenon in both, the Jahunda have attached more meaning and practices in their funeral rituals. They believe in reincarnation and preparing the dead for an after-life.
While death is an inevitable rite of passage across the globe the rituals involved in expressing grief initiated by death differ (Bregman, 2010). This is attributed to the differences in cultures. Different cultures have developed different rituals to help people cope with death since it cannot be avoided. I will compare and contrast what my family believes about death and how we acknowledge it, the rituals we perform and their reasons against those of a different culture. I chose the Jahunda of Zimbabwe since they are one of the traditionalist-oriented ethnic groups in Africa. A majority of the community members still hold fast to their cultural practices even as they embrace Christianity (Moyo, 2010).
Beliefs
My family is a middle-income earning one that professes Christianity faith. We are Protestants. We believe that death is a sacred rite of passage that everyone has to go through. It is a transition where the body is separated from the soul (Bregman, 2010)....
Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Course
Date
Comparative Analysis: Death Rituals
Although death is universal the way it is acknowledged is invariably different across the globe. Death is still regarded as powerful, mysterious even, despite extensive studies that have been conducted to comprehend it. As a result, different cultures have formed different perceptions on death. This has in turn influenced the death rituals performed after a person dies. This comparative essay compares and contrasts the death rituals between different cultures. The study compares and contrasts the death rituals in my American culture, focusing on middle-income earning, Protestant Americans, with that of Africans, specifically the Jahunda people of Zimbabwe. Analysis indicates that whereas death is a revered phenomenon in both, the Jahunda have attached more meaning and practices in their funeral rituals. They believe in reincarnation and preparing the dead for an after-life.
While death is an inevitable rite of passage across the globe the rituals involved in expressing grief initiated by death differ (Bregman, 2010). This is attributed to the differences in cultures. Different cultures have developed different rituals to help people cope with death since it cannot be avoided. I will compare and contrast what my family believes about death and how we acknowledge it, the rituals we perform and their reasons against those of a different culture. I chose the Jahunda of Zimbabwe since they are one of the traditionalist-oriented ethnic groups in Africa. A majority of the community members still hold fast to their cultural practices even as they embrace Christianity (Moyo, 2010).
Beliefs
My family is a middle-income earning one that professes Christianity faith. We are Protestants. We believe that death is a sacred rite of passage that everyone has to go through. It is a transition where the body is separated from the soul (Bregman, 2010)....