Berawan death practices

Death is not tho a physical process, entirely a social and spiritual paradigm infused by a cultures detail beliefs, emotions and activities which give it its distinctive character ( cps 1907, p. 197). Facing another cultures beliefs around closing loafer be confronting, often creating ethnocentric reactions and cultural misconceptions. Comparing Ameri squeeze out and deviate devastation practices highlights how these rites, and the spiritual beliefs underlying them, can appear ugly when viewed only from the observers own cultural paradigm.Anthropologist Peter A. Metcalf observed the practices of the Aberrant tribe, found along Borers north-central waterways, including the tribes four-stage funeral rites (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). The inaugural stage lasts two to ten days and includes rites performed right off after death (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). The second stage, eight months to several years In length (Metcalf 1993, p. 325), sees the corpse stored on a platform or in the comm unal residence with the frame contained in a coffin, earthenware Jar or resembling vessel (Metcalf 1993, p. 5). During this terminus the corpse decomposes, allowing the souls transformation to perfect spirit (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). However during this period the soul lurks close by, restless and uneasy, spreading the risk of Illness to the live and the possibility of corpse reanimation by an evil spirit (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). During the third stage, which Hertz referred to as the great feast (Metcalf 1993, p. 326), the remains are brought into the residence and guests celebrate the dead soul for six to ten days (Metcalf 1993, p. 325).The bones ay be removed and cleaned in preparation for the fourth stage the deceases final burial wherein the physical remains are housed in a receptacle of value, such as a vitrified Jar or wooden coffin, with that receptacle accommodated in a large mausoleum good in the knowledge the soul had transcended (Metcalf 1993, p. 325). American funera l practices, by contrast, alma to preserve the soundbox appearance (Hertz 1907, p. 201) embalming fluids replace bodily fluids, Injections fatten gaunt corpses, cosmetics enhance hide color, padded coffins give Impressions of a peaceful, endless slumber (Metcalf 1 993, p. 27). The American death,afterlife transition is perceived as immediate, with little clip between death and spiritual judgment (Hertz 1907, p. 197). In contrast, the Brawns soul must await the physical structure decomposition and transformation before beginning its journey to the afterlife (Hertz 1907, p. 202). only when when dry bones remain, is the soul ready (Metcalf 1993, p. 326). American practices offer horrifying outcomes for the Aberrant exemplar.For a body not given appropriate time for full decomposition and a premature final burial, death ill not be full consummated, the soul will not exit the earth, the mourning of the living will not be ended (Hertz 1907, p. 204). The American rites reserve the deceased In a limbo between life and death the period the soul Is most discontent, still with great capacity to shanghai the living through illness. During this time potential America is a drink down carpeted with potential zombies, all awaiting reanimation via the evil spirits that exist in Aberrant culture (Metcalf 1993, p. 26). With such a spiritual intent it can be understood why Aberrant are horrified by their belief the American culture traps a soul at the foreland of greatest unhappiness, dooming them to restlessly wander eternally the dead never finding peace and the living never progressing past grief and mourning. The Aberrant-American comparison demonstrates that to fully comprehend a cultures significant, spiritual customs one must first seek to understand the social, spiritual and cultural paradigms surrounding those customs.