Part 1 Read the article thoroughly (in detail, painstakingly).

Then answer the following questions for

The Value and Meaning of Rituals
1. Define ritual. According to Hsun Tzu, what are the origins of rituals? Why did he say that? Why
is ritual necessary to ensure the satisfaction of mans desires? (5 pts)
2. How can rites achieve beauty and felicity? see paragraph 2. (4pts)
3. Explain, IN YOUR OWN WORDS, paragraph number 4, emphasizing on the lines, He who
holds to the rites is never confused in the midst of multifarious change; he who deviates
therefrom is lost. Rites- are they not the culmination of culture ? . . (5 pts)
a. Why is someone who holds on to rites not lost, yet someone who doesnt observe rites
gets lost? Lost in what way? (5 pts)
b. Why are rites the culmination (result) of culture? (You can start your discussion here by
defining culture. Any definition from an officially acknowledged source will do) (5 pts)
4. What two significant life events are discussed in the article? How do rituals surround these two
life events? Compare Hsun tzus description of rites for these two life events with that of the
Filipino rites and rituals. (8pts)
5. Discuss, according to your understanding, how rites give meaning to sacrifice. See paragraph 8.
(3 pts)
6. Finally, choose ONE from the four theoretical perspectives listed below, and using the theory you
chose, discuss how the observance of rites and rituals contribute to the stability or disharmony in
society. (10pts 3pts for theory chosen; 7 for the arguments presented. Explanations must not
exceed 100 words.)
a. Cognitive Anthropology
b. Structural Anthropology
c. Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology
d. Functional Anthropology

Part 2 Watch the film Kuwaresma (provided in our website; if you do not get a copy, please see me
asap.) ALL ANSWERS MUST BE BASED ON THE FILM. BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE
EXAMPLES. FAILURE TO PROVIDE ME WITH SUCH WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENDER YOU A
ZERO FOR THAT ITEM.
1. Enumerate the following as shown in the film: (numbers corresponding each bullet means that I
expect that many answers.)
a. Beliefs (3)
b. Mores (3)
c. Values (3)
2. How did the documentary show that:
a. Culture is shared. (3 pts)
b. We do not know all of our own culture. (4 pts)
c. We are not aware of our own culture. (4 pts)
3. Marxist thoughts have been applied in certain anthropological concepts. The following are key
Marxian perspectives:
a.

Society is the product of the ways people attempt to obtain and control scarce resources
i. Karl Marx is the main exemplar
ii. Inequality and conflict is the norm

iii. Resources and positions in society remain scarce, always resulting in two distinct
groups: the haves and the have-nots
iv. Individuals are seen as being born basically good and seeking to be the best they can be;
the main issue is power to control ones own destiny and how existing social
arrangements limit both individual and social potentials
v. Change occurs as the haves and have-nots struggle for power and resources, shifting
alliances and balances between groups

Functionalist theory on the other hand, maintains that,

Society is a system of interrelated structures or parts that function or operate together for
the benefit of the whole

Origins in ideas of Herbert Spencer and Emile Durkheim

Society is stable, orderly, self-regulating, a thing in itself

Consensus and order are the norm; change is gradual and should not upset the system
as a whole

Preservation of the system is the goal

Individuals are generally hedonistic and need to be told where their proper place in
society is

QUESTION: Explain how Kuwaresma:

a. Maintains order and stability in the Filipino society (10pts)
b. Contributes to conflict or disharmony in the Filipino society (10 pts)
FOR THE LAST ITEM, ENCODE YOUR ANSWERS IN BULLET FORM