Sample Ritual Essay

            Throughout history, rituals have provided understanding to otherwise unexplainable natural forces. Initially attempting to make a complex world more practical, rituals have diversified from one generation to the next. Likewise, the Vietnamese have evolved their own unique rituals, from the miracle of birth to death.

            During pregnancy, a woman will go out of her way to ensure her child is healthy. A woman may raise her calcium intake, which is usually a scarce component of the Vietnamese diet, and avoid seafood. The woman will also refrain from being photographed, as this act is believed to take charm away from the developing infant.

            Traditionally, a woman goes through labor without her husband. Anesthesia is not administered as puncturing of the skin invites unwanted evil spirits. If the resulting infant is chubby, this is a welcomed sign of prosperity. Blood, considered to be hot, is lost at birth. Fearing her body will become too cold; a woman will abstain from cold foods for approximately one month to restore her body’s temperature balance. Most Vietnamese women do not believe in breast-feeding. The reason is that they believe formula is a healthier choice and do not wish to ruin their bodies.

            While at home, numerous precautions are taken to keep the newborn safe. The infant remains as isolated as possible, with only immediate family members permitted to visit the child during its first month. This reduces the baby’s chance of encountering evil forces.  It is believed that a baby can sense the supernatural, and cries when scared by evil spirits. Therefore, a knife is commonly placed under the baby’s pillow at night for protection. Extra safety measures are taken to protect the eldest son, who is consequently disguised as a girl. He is given an ugly name, either of an animal or girl, to make him less desirable to the devil.

            Birthdays, along with the aging process, do not play a large role in Vietnamese culture. A newborn celebrating its first birthday will not celebrate another until the age of 60. It is clear that individuals play an important part in Vietnamese culture, despite age differences.

            Parents often arrange marriages. Initially, the man accompanied by his family has a formal visit with the woman’s family. Here, the man asks for permission to marry their daughter, and if all parties are in agreement, an engagement date is set. Money is given to the woman’s family to cover both the engagement party and wedding. The couple has little contact during their six-month engagement.

            Prior to the wedding ceremony, the couple visits both families. They bring with them gifts as offerings for blessing of the deceased. The couple also seeks the blessing of the ‘Old man on the Moon’ as he is thought to be the divine matchmaker. The ceremony takes place at the groom’s father’s house, where the elder’s again ask for their ancestor’s approval. The groom and then the bride drink rice alcohol. Finally ginger is rubbed and consumed by the couple. The husband now has the sole responsibility to take care of his wife until death.

            Divorce rarely happens among the Vietnamese, and is shameful when it does, especially on the woman‘s part.  When dating interracially, a Vietnamese man dating a non-Vietnamese woman is more acceptable. Men are typically older than their female counterparts and have more power. If widowed, a woman must follow her eldest son.

            Rituals are by far the most important during death. Following Buddhism, it is important that the dying individual be content at death, so the soul will have a successful rebirth. Fasting is practiced when an individual is confirmed to be terminally ill. At this time, only hot water and rice are consumed. The fading individual is moved back into the family’s residence as it is considered bad luck for a family member to die outside of the home. Family and close friends come to visit the individual and reminisce for the last time. There are many chances to say goodbye.

            At death, the individual is immediately bathed and dressed up in their finest clothes. An alter is prepared, adorned with money and rice to show that the individual’s life was prosperous, and the body is watched over by a family member at all times. The body is put in the coffin, where it remains for several days while people visit. Candles, flowers and incense are added to the altar until the deceased is finally buried, preferably with passed loved ones. While at the gravesite, incense and offerings are made to the ancestors, so they will be mindful of the newly deceased. A feast is then prepared for all the relatives and friends.

            Services are held in the loved one’s honor weekly during the ‘seven Sundays’, as it is believed to take 49 days for the soul to return to the underworld. The same clothes are worn at every service. Most wear a white dress with a matching white headband. A red dot on the headband symbolizes the individual is from the paternal side of the deceased’s family, while a yellow dot symbolizes one is from the maternal. Material objects, including money are burned for the person to have in the afterlife. Incense is burned and food offered to the deceased for the first hundred days. After this time period, food is offered on special occasions. During the first year or mourning phase, family must refrain from social events including marriage. After the second year or commemoration of the dead phase, the mourning clothes are burned.

            In closing, the people of Vet Nam have a variety of unusual rituals, which might not be understood by an outsider at first glance. However, it is clear that this culture, despite its differences, has many positive attributes, including a strong sense of family values and a mutual respect for one another.