Unit : 6 Custom and Culture
Reading I
Answer these questions.
a. Describe death rituals in your culture.
b. Why do you think it is important?
Sky Burials
Sky Burials are traditional custom in Tibetan Buddhism to say farewell to their dead. These days, outsiders are mostly forbidden from witnessing them.
So, we arrived at a very isolated and traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Tagong in North Eastern Sichuan. I thought, "let's just look at the site where it happens".
We'd been told that foreigners were not allowed to experience the secret ritual anyway.
Our driver directed us up to the top of the mountain where the burials take place. It was surrounded by a sea of Tibetan prayer flags and you could just make out a kind of stone slab.
So we hiked up there. Upon arriving, we could hear Tibetan nuns chanting. "How lovely?" I thought.
Then I turned and saw about 100 vultures sitting on the hill, waiting and then, what looked like a body bag on the stone slab.
I actually couldn't believe it. “Have we stumbled into the start of a sky burial?” Through a translation app I asked one of the Tibetans next to me what was happening.
"Flesh eating birds," he replied.
"Oh, can we stay?" I asked.
"Yes, but on the side and no photos," he replied.
"This is amazing," I thought, but then I saw my kids. My wife and I had to make quick decisions.
We gave our six-year-old son the iPad to play computer games. He was thrilled, and we had never before been so happy to give it to him. He was too young to see this.
As for my 11-year-old son and my 13-year-old daughter, my wife Catherine quickly sat them down and told them what was about to happen and said it was their choice to stay or go.
We gave it to them straight, but told them the cultural and religious context
To their credit they stayed. I was nervous. The first time I'd seen a dead body when I was 12 and it had a profound effect on me.
Before we knew it, the bag was taken off and the corpse was revealed. It looked like a middle-aged woman.
The Rogyapa, body breaker, stormed up the side of mountain. He was dressed in a thick, dark scarlet coloured coat with a black hood. With a butcher knife in hand, he wasted no time in carving up the body. My stomach sunk. It was gruesome, and I just stopped myself from throwing up. My kids though seemed to take it in their stride.
The vultures were growing impatient and started to jump at site of the flesh. The body breaker gave the signal and the Tibetans holding the birds back let them through.
They swarmed, in a frenzy jumping on top of each other tearing at the flesh. It was unbelievable.
It only took at most 15 minutes and the entire corpse was gone. Every last piece of flesh had been eaten, leaving only the bones behind. Then the body breaker gathered up the human bones and began to pulverise them with a mallet. He mixed that with yak butter and barley flour. In one last gesture, he walked into the middle of the vultures and threw it high in the air. And with that he was gone.
There was absolutely nothing left of the body. It is considered a bad omen if vultures don't eat the body or even if small bits are left.
Tibetans see the vultures as Dakinis, like angels who take soul into the heavens to await reincarnation and the next life. They consider the body as a mere vessel for the soul.
And at the end of it all, a peace and calmness seemed to descend over the scene. Everyone seemed happy that the ritual had been fulfilled.
My kids too, surprisingly, were fine. They seemed to be able to understand it; an ancient culture giving a meaning to lives.
I was a proud dad on that day, proud of their maturity and intelligence. But as for my six-year-old son, he was none the wiser. He'd been deeply engrossed by his iPad, playing Minecraft the whole time.
- Matthew Carney
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Vocabularies:
1. forbidden /fəˈbɪd.ən/ - not allowed
2. fascination /ˌfæsɪˈneɪʃn/ [countable, usually singular] a very strong attraction, that makes something very interesting.
3. bluntly/ˈblʌntli/ /ˈblʌntli/ in a very direct way, without trying to be polite or kind.
4.site |saɪt| - physical position in relation to the surroundings
5. ritual /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ - [countable, uncountable] a series of actions that are always performed in the same way, especially as part of a religious ceremony
6. stone slab /slæb/ - a thick flat piece of stone, wood, or other hard material
7. stumbled /ˈstʌmbld/ - to hit your foot against something while you are walking or running and almost fall
8. translation app - any type of software that supports the process of transferring the meaning of a message from one language to another.
9. thrilled /θrɪld/ - very excited and pleased
10. profound /prəˈfaʊnd/ - very great; felt or experienced very strongly
11. stormed - move angrily or forcefully in a specified direction.
12. scarlet [ˈskɑː.lət] [ˈskɑːr-] - of a brilliant red color. a mass of scarlet berries. (of an offense or sin) wicked; heinous
13. hood [hʊd] - a covering for the head and neck with an opening for the face, typically forming part of a coat or sweatshirt.
14. gruesome /ˈɡruːsəm/ - very unpleasant and filling you with horror, usually because it is connected with death or injury
15. stride /straɪd/ - one long step; the distance covered by a step
16. impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃnt/ - annoyed by somebody/something, especially because you have to wait for a long time.
17. swarmed /swɔːm/ - a large group of insects, especially bees, moving together in the same direction
18. frenzy /ˈfrenzi/ - a state of great activity and strong emotion that is often violent or frightening and not under control
19. pulverise - reduce to fine particles
20. mallet /ˈmælɪt/ - a wooden tool with a long handle and a large head, used for hitting things
21. omen /ˈoʊmən/- a sign of what is going to happen in the future
22. reincarnation - the belief that after somebody's death their soul lives again in a new body
23. mere /mɪə(r)/ - that is solely or no more or better than what is specified
24. calmness - the quality of having no hurried movement or noise:
25. maturity /məˈtʊrəti/ - [uncountable] the quality of thinking and behaving in a sensible, adult manner
26. intelligence - the ability to comprehend
27. engrossed /ɪnˈɡrəʊst/ - so interested or involved in something that you give it all your attention
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A. Choose the words from the box that match with the given meanings from a - h.
forbidden fascination profound gruesome frenzy pulverise omen engrossed
a. ………… very great
b. ………… a state of great activity and strong emotion
c. ………… very unpleasant and filling with horror
d. ………… not allowed
e. ………… a sign of what is going to happen in the future
f. ………… very strong attraction
g. ………… involved in something with whole attention
f. ………… very strong attraction
Answer:
a. profound very great
b. frenzy a state of great activity and strong emotion
c. gruesome very unpleasant and filling with horror
d. forbidden not allowed
e.omen a sign of what is going to happen in the future
f. fascination very strong attraction
g. engrossed involved in something with whole attention
f. pulverise very strong attraction
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B. Write True for true statements and False for false ones.
a. Foreign visitors are welcome to see Sky Burial rituals.
b. The visitors are not allowed to take photos of the rituals.
c. The vultures took more than fifteen minutes to finish the entire corpse.
d. The Tibetans perceive the body as a vessel for the soul.
e. The youngest son of the writer was busy with his toys.
f. The author visited the burial sites with his wife and three children.
Answer:
a. Foreign visitors are welcome to see Sky Burial rituals. False
b. The visitors are not allowed to take photos of the rituals. True
c. The vultures took more than fifteen minutes to finish the entire corpse. False
d. The Tibetans perceive the body as a vessel for the soul. True
e. The youngest son of the writer was busy with his toys. False
f. The author visited the burial sites with his wife and three children. True
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C. Answer the following questions.
a. Why did the author visit a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery?
Ans:-The author visited a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery because to see the traditional custom in Tibetan Buddhism to save farewell to their dead bodies.
b. What did the author see on the hill?
Ans:- The author saw about 100 vultures sitting on the hill and waiting for the dead body .
c. Why did the author give the iPad to his youngest son?
Ans:- The author gave his iPad to his youngest son because to play computer games.
d. Describe the appearance of a Rogyapa, the body breaker.
Ans:- Rogyapa is sacred person, known as Lama is body breaker. He was dressed in a thick dark scarlet coloured coat with a black hood. He has a butcher knife in his hand.
e. What did the body breaker do after collecting the bones?
Ans:- After collecting the bones the body breaker began to pulverise them with a mallet. He mixed that with yalk butter and barley flour.
f. What is considered to be a bad sign?
Ans:- If the vultures don't eat the body or even if small bites are left, it is considered to be a bad sign.
g. Why did the author feel proud?
Ans:- The author felt proud because of their children's maturity and intelligence.
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C. Research customs from other countries and talk about an interesting one with your friends.
Ans:- The "Battle of Oranges" is a unique and lively custom that takes place during the annual Carnival of Ivrea in Italy. It is a traditional event that has been celebrated for centuries and attracts both locals and tourists from around the world.
The Battle of Oranges is a reenactment of a historical event that symbolizes the fight for freedom and the power of the people. According to the legend, during the Middle Ages, the tyrannical ruling lord attempted to assert his dominance over the citizens. In response, the people rebelled and revolted against the oppressive rule.
During the battle, participants are divided into two groups: the "Aranceri" (orange throwers) and the "Aranceri Scacchi" (orange throwers on foot). The "Aranceri Scacchi" represent the lord's army, while the "Aranceri" symbolize the people's uprising. The battle is intense and involves the throwing of oranges between the two sides.
The orange-throwing tradition is said to have originated from the use of beans, which were later replaced by oranges due to their abundance in the region. Oranges are considered symbolic of the weapons used by the rebels against the ruling lord.
The battle takes place in the streets of Ivrea, with the participants wearing protective gear and the "Aranceri Scacchi" wearing traditional costumes. The streets become a lively battleground, with oranges flying through the air, creating a colorful and exhilarating spectacle.
While the battle may seem chaotic, there are specific rules and regulations to ensure safety and fair play. The participants aim to hit their opponents with oranges, and the battle continues until the "Aranceri" on foot manage to capture the "Mugnaia," a traditional character symbolizing liberation.
The Battle of Oranges is not just about throwing fruit; it represents the spirit of unity, resistance against oppression, and the celebration of freedom. It is a festive and joyous event that brings people together, fostering a sense of community and pride in their cultural heritage.
The Battle of Oranges is a captivating and unusual custom that combines history, tradition, and fun. It serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of preserving cultural rituals that connect us to our past.
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Answer:
a. Are you ready? v. Yes, nearly
b. Can I carry something for you? iv. No, it's OK. It's not that heavy.
c. May I use your phone? ii. Yes, of course.
d. Has anyone seen my bag? i. Yes, it's on the chair.
e. Would you like to come to a party? iii. Yes, I'd love to
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B. How do you ask questions in these situations?
a. You want to know if it is raining.
Ans:- Is it raining?
b. You want to know if Harish plays football.
Ans:- Does Harish play football?
c. You want to know if the bus is on time.
Ans:- Is the bus on time?
d. You want to know if your friend, Ramesh went to the market yesterday.
Ans:- Did Ramesh go to the market yesterday?
e. You want to know if it is Tuesday today.
Ans:- Is it Tuesday today?
f. You want to know if your teacher opened your letter.
Ans:- Did your teacher open your letter?
g. You want to know if your brother has gone to sleep.
Ans:- Has your brother gone to sleep?
h. You want to know if there will be a food party
Ans:- Will there be a food party?
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C. Circle the correct answer.
a. Are you busy today?
i. Yes, busy. ii. Yes, I am.
b. Is it too hot in here for you?
i. No, it isn't. ii. No, I'm fine, thanks.
c. Tell me, did you steal my money?
i. No. I won't ii. No, I didn't steal your money.
d. Can I carry your bags?
i. No, you can't. ii. It's all right, thanks.
Answer:
a. Are you busy today?
ii. Yes, I am.
b. Is it too hot in here for you?
i. No, it isn't.
c. Tell me, did you steal my money?
ii. No, I didn't steal your money.
d. Can I carry your bags?
i. No, you can't.
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D. Write yes/no questions for these statements.
a. The family has got three mobile phones.
Ans:- Has the family got three mobile phone?
b. Januka works at the supermarket.
Ans:- Does Januka work at the supermarket?
c. Anita is learning English.
Ans:- Is Anita learning DEnglish?
d. The meeting will be held next Tuesday.
Ans:- Will the meeting be held nest Tuesday?
e. Tanka switched off the computer.
Ans:- Did Tanka switch off the computer?
f. He went to the cinema yesterday.
Ans:- Did he go to the cinema yesterday?
g. Everyone is ready.
Ans:- Is anyone ready?
h. It is raining outside.
Ans:- Is is raining outside?
i. Vicky's lost her credit card.
Ans:- Has Vicky lost her credit card?
j. She'd done the work on time.
Ans:- Had she done the work on time?
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Writing I
Write short essay about ‘Our Culture Our Pride’.
‘Our Culture Our Pride’
There are many different parts to a country, and they all contribute in their own way to the country’s greatness. Culture is one of the most important things that makes a country great, so don’t underestimate its importance. Similarly, the vibrant culture of our country, Nepal, makes a big difference in the overall health of the country. The fact that our society is political has helped India’s many different religious traditions, groups, and regions of the world live together in a way that is truly amazing.
All of these things add to the richness and scope of the Indian cultural tradition. Nepal’s different social and economic groups all add value to their own cultural traditions to make the country culturally diverse, rich, and, most importantly, “unified.” Even though other parts of our country have had both highs and lows in recent years, the important royal approach has stayed mostly the same for a long time. Our culture includes a lot of different kinds of art, as well as literary and interior design traditions and many different kinds of parties. Our country’s respectable place in the world is being pushed to new heights by the rich culture we have here. So, we can come to the conclusion that our culture is, without a doubt, where our pride comes from.
‘Our Culture Our Pride’
Introduction: Culture serves as the heartbeat of a nation, encompassing its traditions, beliefs, values, and customs. It is a precious heritage passed down through generations, shaping our identity and defining who we are as a people. Our culture is a source of immense pride, as it reflects our rich history, diversity, and resilience.
Body: Firstly, our culture embodies a tapestry of traditions that connect us to our ancestors. Whether it is the vibrant festivals that celebrate our religious and cultural beliefs or the age-old rituals that mark significant milestones in our lives, these customs provide a sense of belonging and continuity. They remind us of the sacrifices and triumphs of those who came before us, instilling a deep respect for our heritage.
Furthermore, our culture is a testament to our diversity. As a nation of varied ethnicities, languages, and religions, our cultural mosaic is a source of strength and unity. It fosters tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect, allowing us to appreciate the beauty in our differences. Through cultural exchanges and intermingling, we create a harmonious society that embraces pluralism and nurtures a sense of belonging for all.
Additionally, our culture serves as a reservoir of wisdom, encapsulating the knowledge and experiences of our ancestors. Traditional art forms, music, literature, and cuisine are expressions of our creativity, ingenuity, and innovation. They provide a platform for self-expression and storytelling, enabling us to preserve and share our unique narratives with the world. Our cultural heritage not only enriches our lives but also captivates and inspires others, fostering a global appreciation for our traditions.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our culture is our pride. It is a living testament to our history, diversity, and shared values. As we cherish and safeguard our cultural heritage, we ensure that future generations can experience the beauty, wisdom, and richness it holds. By embracing our culture, we celebrate our collective identity and reinforce our national spirit. Let us continue to cherish, preserve, and promote our culture, for it is a beacon that guides us towards a brighter future.
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