Rite — /n/ usually, “rite” is a type of ceremony. It may be religious, social, or traditional. In terms of definition, “rite” a religious or traditional ceremony aimed to achieve something. In layman’s language, rites and rituals are traditionally established religious and social ceremonies.
In other words, traditionally established ceremonial religious act or customary service is termed as “Rites”, while a series of sequential actions performed to complete the rite are termed as rituals.
Understanding Religious and social ceremonies
Funeral or burial rites, adoption, marriage, baptism etc. are called rites. It is a broader term used to label entire ceremony as a heading.
For example, in funeral rite, lot of sequential actions and processes are performed to complete funeral rite like bathing dead, make-up, laying on pyre in the specific ways, etc.are the part and parcel of rite ceremony performed by members of family and friends.
Rituals definition and meaning
The well sequential processes and actions performed to conclude rite is called “Rituals”. Though these customary ceremonies look similar but have clear differences. All the actions mentioned in the funeral ceremony are rituals performed to complete rites.
Examples of Rites and ritual
Suppose, marriage is a rite, then, all the actions and processes performed in marriage are called rituals. In India, in medieval history, “Sati system” was a worst form of rite performed on the pyre of dead husband
I think, we have different rites as well as rituals. It may be due to different religions or traditional practices.
Across the world, over a period of time, different societies have adopted and practiced different rites and rituals.
Rites and ritual are the way of life of people across world.
Explanation of Fairs and festivals
Festival — /n/ Both fairs and festivals are public celebrations enjoyed by people but for different reasons. The purpose of fairs is more entertaining rather than cultural; while festivals are largely celebrated either to commemorate something or cherish cultural values.
Differences between fairs and festivals
Fair is more general term that implies public get-together for entertainment, enjoyment or to fulfill any purpose. It may be arranged to advocate commercial activities, literary exibition, or to celebrate something as a part of traditions like trade fair, book fair, street fairs, food fairs, and exhibitions.
How does festival differ from fairs?
Usually, fairs could be arranged with public will or consent. They do not need to follow as part of customs or traditions.
But, on the other hand, festivals regularly followed and celebrated on the eve of special cultural and religious occasions.
Specifically, festivals are celebrated in accordance with cultural and religious events and occasions. Christmas, Divali, Ramazan, etc. are examples of festivals.
Importance of fairs and festivals
Both helps to strengthen social solidarity, coherence, boost commercial activities, cherish cultural values, refresh and recharge human feelings and emotions.
Apart from this, annual day celebrations, college gatherings, parties, thanksgivings are another types of public get-together that you will read in the next post.
This is all about the concept clarity of rites and rituals, fairs and festivals religious and social ceremonies.