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Obon-Japanese Cultural Holiday - Online Term Papers

Obon-Japanese Cultural Holiday

AC0622398
AN 310 Cultural Anthropology
Social Anthropology #8
November 22, 2010
OBON



I am writing my paper on the Japanese cultural holiday “Obon”. Obon is a Japanese Buddhist custom which honors the departed spirits of one’s ancestors. Obon is an abbreviation of the Sanskrit word Ullabana which literally means to hang upside down (Hell). Obon is a rite of intensification it reinforces group solidarity, value of its culture and social and political status relationships. This Holiday as with many holidays is related or shares similarities with other cultures. Obon is similar to the Mexican observance of “ElDiade los Muertos” or The Day of the Dead celebration. These customs ...

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or the Solar is followed. Different localities within Japan itself observe Obon-Festival of the Dead at various times. The three days of Obon are not public holidays but as per customary people are given leave from work.

Alters are created on the 1st day in homes to honor the relatives “A meal is placed on the alter to feed the spirits (Jones, 2000.p101) In the evening the Japanese light lanterns in the home or they leave them at the gravesite to help the ansecestoral spirits find their way and to welcome their arrivals. Families also have small fires in front of their homes and talk to the spirits as if they we still alive. “Traditional Buddhist dances, called bon-odori are performed on the last day of the celebration. (Moehn, 2000. P. 70). The festival also concludes with the floating of lanterns. Paper lanterns lit and floated down river signaling the ancestors return to the world of the dead.

Obon is an important cultural celebration n the Japanese culture. There are ...

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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 4/2/2011 12:18:31 PM
Submitted By: karenlesmerises
Category: Asian Studies
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 407
Pages: 2

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