Homework Assignment - Body Ritual part II

Ritual Symbolism

In the male dominated society, this ritual is considered one of the most important to be performed because the resulting consequences can have lasting implications on the future of the female. The females are taught that their main desire should be a secure existence in which she can look after the next generation of tribal members. The female is attempting to make a visual appeal to the mind of the male which will activate the male’s inner sense of duty.

The purpose of the ritual is to create an alternate version on oneself. The costume is crafted in such a way, that it is a sophisticated optical illusion. It is more advantageous for a sussim to complete the binding ceremony early because the older they get, the more intricate and elaborate the costume has to be in order to attract tribal males.

In comparison, the tribal male is only expected to do anything if they approve of the female’s costume. He is not expected to perform any similar rituals. If a tribal male tries to conceal his appearance in rituals similar to the manner of the female, the community will assume that he is trying to attract other males. This is considered deviant social behavior because same sex relationships cannot procreate.

Homework Assignment: Body Ritual part I

Body Ritual Explained

In an effort to understand the culture that contributes to prolongation of the Yensi tribe, an observation study was done of the body ritual performed by females in preparation for mating with the tribal males. This ritual is performed to some extent by all tribal females. However, it is most common among females who have reached at least 16 mother earth revolutions around the sun. These young females are also called sussims. As a female anthropologist, some of the tribal females were open and willing to explain the ritual and importance in their society. The eventual purpose of the ritual is to create parings which will allow for the continuation of their race.

The female begins the body ritual by entering the inner sanctum of the home and arranging the products to be used in the process. She immerses her body in liquids made from animal secretions and rocks. Her skin is tender to the touch, but more permeable to allow for better adhesion of the costume layers. A gelatinous substance is applied to the body until it burns the skin, at which point is removed. Another viscous material is layered to sooth the damage caused by the burns to the skin. Then the female mixes clay, dirt, and other bituminous minerals to spread on the face and neck. After applying hot melted wax and gluing pieces of hair to her face, she inserts colored plastic discs in her eyes, and metal rods through her ears.

Once the facial additions are complete, she begins hide her features by painting her body in exotic, bright iron oxide pigments and lacquers, paying extra attention to the body parts that receive the most attention by males. The concealing process even extends to the body natural fragrance. Alcohols and neurotoxins are utilized.

Then the female begins applying the final layers of her costume. Certain contraptions are used to encase her midsection so that she appears to have better procreation abilities. Large round semi-circle jelly-beads are used in the event that her lactating apparatus is not fully formed. After that, garments are used to cover the contraptions and provide a more appealing outer shell exterior. The final touch is to bind her lower extremities in raised, animal skin entrapments that make it difficult to walk or stand.

Once in costume, the sussims gather together in the town’s center and dance coyly to catch the eye of the male they would wish to join. The males show that they approve of the sussim’s costume by bestowing prickly shrubs, stones in various colors, and blocks made of roasted seeds. If the male is particularly impressed with the female’s costume, the male may also request that the female participate in the binding ceremony with him which is conducted by a local holy man.

The intention is for the binding ceremony to fasten the couple together for the rest of their lives. Although the binding is supposed to be permanent, there are occasions when the costumes are so thick it prevents the pair from cleaving together. If that happens, both people usually detach from one another and are obliged to repeat the process with a different tribal member.

Homework Assignment - Body ritual explained

I had to write a paper explaining a body ritual done by Americans but in the form of a paper that would be written by an anthropologist who had no prior knowledge of the customs or rituals of these people. I have divided the paper in three different sections posted to here. I am interested in knowing what you think.

Jack of the Wood - Asheville, NC

Bar Downtown
Service was not that great. They need a sign at the door that says you need to find your own table. There was no  hostess. We wandered around the crowded restaurant until we found wait staff to ask about where to sit and they said "anywhere you can find a spot".
I ordered fish and chips. That was very good. The batter on the fish was light but crispy.
I probably would come back IF a band I knew was playing, but other than that...I would rather try another restaurant. Too many interesting spots in Asheville to just go to the same place over and over ;)

sharing a review from a friend

A friend of mine had an AWFUL experience at an Appleby’s in Spartanburg, SC.

Link to her review http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g54448-d460495-Reviews-Applebee_s-Spartanburg_South_Carolina.html

I have traveled all over the world so I have had my share of bad service, but this Applebee’s is the worst!!! The waitress AAMBER (w/two A's) didn’t come to our table until 20+ minutes of us sitting down. She approached us with an attitude, sighed in frustration when we wanted to change one of the sides on the plate. It was obvious it wasn’t that she was having a bad day bc for the men on the table next to us she was chatty, friendly, refilled their drinks often, etc. She got 3 out of the 4 orders wrong. When we got ready to leave one of the members in our table needed a to-go box. she THREW IT at him as if it was a frisbee! Not only that, but the to-go box was DIRTY WITH RANCH DRESSING!!! When we pointed it out to her she grumbled something about being picky and placed it on the table next to ours, and NEVER CAME BACK WITH ANOTHER…

Mother Earth

Mother earth

Rebellious children have decided they no longer need her

their responsibility has always been to take care of her as stewards of the land

yet they find ways to destroy, to devastate her

her eyes burn as tears of acid rain fall, instead of sweet pure water

heart wrenching abandonment by her little ones

these independent children once appreciated the fruits of her labor

rejoiced at time of harvest, celebrated the delicious nectar of first fruits

nubs remain where, majestic trees once stood in the rainforest

dirt void of nutrients to sustain plant life, her flesh has been ravaged

through thoughtless violation of her body in name of economic growth

exploitation of her nether regions and her defenseless ones

they have left her bare while exploring deep within her bowels

Strip mining her precious resources to fill insatiable commercial desire

Chemically combining natural resources in an unnatural way

Creating poisons that contaminate water sources, pollute the air, and decimate all forms of life

Children are supposed to be a blessing, mother earth is sick with the knowledge

Her little ones, the ones she bore in agony and labor pains from the dust of the earth

Are not a blessing but a blight, infecting her body like a toxic cancer

Few of her children cling to the connection they share while crying in unison with their mother

The rest live day by day, unbeknownst to them, that their ways are self-destructive

Not blessed with the gift of voice, communication is in ancient sign language

Decipher her messages, take heed of natural disasters, and consider the repercussions of damaging behavior

Know that every action has an equal reaction,

Yet they scoff and ridicule, convinced their industrial advances have made them superior and invincible

She is forced to respond to mistreatment in a manner for them to take notice

Then they begin to question what is happening, It is too late

God did not place this malediction on them,

They cursed themselves by refusing to respect their origins and care for their earthly gift

new food product

I love Dole Fruit Crisp. I like the apple cinnamon one. It is like eating apple crisp on demand. Awesome! I don't have to peel apples or make sure I have oatmeal in the house. Just heat up my apples and sprinkle on my crispy granola bits. And at 160 calories a serving, I don't feel guilty eating even if I did do my exercises for the day. Win-win all around.

Firestorm Cafe and Books - Asheville NC

Firestorm Cafe and Books (www.firestormcafe.com )is a coffee and tea shop near the corner of Coxe Ave and Commerce Str in downtown Asheville.

I tried the Spring Jasmine tea and I was not disappointed. It was a fragrant as I expected.

I loved the atmosphere of this little restaurant that was otherwise hidden a block away, down the hill from Patton Ave.

They had a selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, and other goodies that make this worth a stop if you are downtown.

And don’t forget to peruse the numerous books available.

To me, this quirky place has more character than all the Starbucks in Seattle!