The Essay: The Meaning of Ritual

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The Essay: The Meaning of Ritual: Rituals and the Life Cycle

Rituals and the Life Cycle

The Meaning of Ritual

BBC Radio 3 - The Essay, The Meaning of Ritual, Rituals and the Life Cycle

Madeline Bunting explores the decline of rituals marking key life events.

Weddings and funerals have become far more individualistic in recent years. Other life cycle rituals have almost disappeared. Writer Madeleine Bunting asks whether it matters.

Rituals marking key life events, such as births and deaths, are probably among the oldest we know. Yet, says the writer Madeleine Bunting, during her own lifetime some of these rituals have changed enormously, becoming far more individualistic than they used to be.  Others – in particular, those marking the transition to adulthood such as confirmation or bar mitzvah – are now only observed by a small minority and have not been widely replaced.  

Taking in a West African perspective, Madeleine welcomes the demise of certain rituals – yet, she asks, does it mean that communities have also lost something precious?

This BBC Radio 3 series explores aspects of ritual throughout this week, including public and private Christmas rituals, and asks what the Covid pandemic has taught us about their significance. 

The series producer is Kristine Pommert for CTVC.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Madeleine Bunting explores whether public and private ritual has outlived its usefulness.

Ritual is often perceived as empty and devoid of meaning. Writer Madeleine Bunting explores whether we are witnessing the demise of ritual or its transformation.

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