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| | ceremony - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about ceremony (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-21) |
 | | Rituals may be carried out to improve crop fertility, overcome enemies, compete with rivals, achieve enlightenment, allay misfortune, cure sickness of the mind and body, legitimize important events such as marriage, offset the effects of infringements of taboos and social rules, and exorcize spirits. |
 | | In some societies, all persons are entitled to carry out ritual activities (some Australian Aborigines); in others this may be done by men only (the Yanamamo Indians of Brazil) or by women only (the Kalabari of northern Nigeria); in still others, only priests or shamans may officiate at the ceremony. |
 | | Rituals may make use of drugs (most Brazilian rainforest Indians and the Plains Indians of North America), repetitive incantations, masks and dancing, and music and rhythmical drum-beating. |
| encyclopedia.farlex.com /ceremony (356 words) |
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