Jaime Rivas ID 914273392
ANT 002 Prof. Smriti Srinivas
Ritual of the Rumspringa Within most cultures and communities there is alway some ritual to accompany an individual’s transition within the social structure whether higher or lower. Amish religious communities are no exception to this quality. The Amish believe that only an adult is able to truly choose to be baptized and accepted into the church. Thus, when Amish children reach the age of sixteen they enter a stage of their Amish live called rumspringa. This ritual of transition is viewed within the film, The Devil’s Playground, and by analysing the rumspringa through Turner’s concepts its role in Amish church and community is better understood. The film shows and describes the rumspringa as a ritual of transition for Amish teens. Teenagers in rumspringa explore the world outside of the Amish community, as rumspringa is translated “to running around”. Teenagers in rumspringa are given access to activities and items that are otherwise banned. Things like cars, english clothing, malls, parties, and alcohol become available and expected for rumspringa teenager to partake in. This portion of Amish life allows Amish teens an opportunity to decide whether to join the church or not, as Amish believe only an adult may decide on joining the church. The film’s portrayal becomes …show more content…
Dia de los Muertos is such a holiday that showcases this concept as the dead seemingly gain an equal or higher position in regard to their still living counterparts, with things like gifts and foods given to them. The concept of a ritual of status reversal isn’t entirely presented in the rumspringa, but instead it appears as a ritual of status
ANT 002 Prof. Smriti Srinivas
Ritual of the Rumspringa Within most cultures and communities there is alway some ritual to accompany an individual’s transition within the social structure whether higher or lower. Amish religious communities are no exception to this quality. The Amish believe that only an adult is able to truly choose to be baptized and accepted into the church. Thus, when Amish children reach the age of sixteen they enter a stage of their Amish live called rumspringa. This ritual of transition is viewed within the film, The Devil’s Playground, and by analysing the rumspringa through Turner’s concepts its role in Amish church and community is better understood. The film shows and describes the rumspringa as a ritual of transition for Amish teens. Teenagers in rumspringa explore the world outside of the Amish community, as rumspringa is translated “to running around”. Teenagers in rumspringa are given access to activities and items that are otherwise banned. Things like cars, english clothing, malls, parties, and alcohol become available and expected for rumspringa teenager to partake in. This portion of Amish life allows Amish teens an opportunity to decide whether to join the church or not, as Amish believe only an adult may decide on joining the church. The film’s portrayal becomes …show more content…
Dia de los Muertos is such a holiday that showcases this concept as the dead seemingly gain an equal or higher position in regard to their still living counterparts, with things like gifts and foods given to them. The concept of a ritual of status reversal isn’t entirely presented in the rumspringa, but instead it appears as a ritual of status