Warrior Culture

Around the world, various cultures perform rituals at monumental stages of one's life. Numerous occasions such as marriages and birthdays are ritualized and have distinct celebratory traditions that are unique to specific cultures and groups. In particular, the transformation of a person from an ordinary citizen to a warrior, has many unique and diverse celebrations and responses. Cultures around the world acknowledge this transformation through celebratory traditions often including dancing, drinking and feasting as well as conditioning exercises such as engaging in abstinence.* Through various cultures it is apparent that a person's transformation from citizen to warrior is both glorified, encouraged and acts a distraction from the harsh …show more content…
For instance young Scandinavian men would assume the identity of a bear as a way to begin the transformation from a man to a warrior.* This practice was a symbolic representation of the transformation of a person gaining the insight, ferociousness, instinct and determination which is often associated with animals. These characteristics that an animal such as a bear possess, are all considered to be aspects of a strong warrior. This symbolic representation is a glorification of what being a warrior entails. Additionally the use of drugs and alcohol by many cultures during the transformation process only further glorifies the cause. In particular, the Greeks and Chinese are known for drinking an excessive amount of wine before battle, while smoking hemp was a popular act of the ancient Scythians.* The idea of drinking excessively and drug use before a battle, strips away the negativity of war and transforms a dangerous reality into one that seems entertaining and enjoyable and glamorizes the life of a soldier. These forms of an artificial escape drowns out the harsh realities of combat and makes its goals and objectives seem more attainable to the average