Topic: Select a tradition or custom from your own cultural heritage or from another culture you want to know more about.
1. Name your specific custom/tradition. Keep it focused.
2. Create a "working" thesis statement (you may change it later if you need to).
3. List 5 QUESTIONS related to your custom/tradition that will guide your research.
1. Diwali festival - a major festival in Hinduism celebrated in India and other parts of the world.
2. Thesis statement: The Diwali festival is an important religious and cultural celebration in Hinduism, with deep historical and spiritual significance, that has evolved over time and is celebrated differently in various regions of India and around the world.
3. Questions:
- What is the origin of the Diwali festival, and how has it evolved over time?
- What are the key religious and spiritual significance of Diwali in Hinduism?
- How is Diwali celebrated in different regions of India, and what are some common practices and rituals?
- How is Diwali celebrated in other parts of the world where the Indian diaspora is present?
- What are some common traditions associated with Diwali, such as lighting diyas, making rangolis, and exchanging gifts, and what is their symbolism?</ul>
other tradition
4
Ramadan - a month-long fasting and prayer observance in Islam.
5. Thesis statement: The Ramadan observance is a cornerstone of Islamic faith, which involves a month-long fast from dawn until dusk, along with prayer, charity, and spiritual reflection, and is celebrated differently in various parts of the Muslim world.
6. Questions:
- What is the historical and religious significance of Ramadan in Islamic faith?
- How is the Ramadan observance structured, and what are the key practices and rituals associated with it?
- What are the physical, social, and psychological effects of fasting on individuals and communities during Ramadan?
- How is Ramadan celebrated differently in various regions of the Muslim world, and what are some common cultural traditions associated with it?
- What is the role of food in Ramadan, and how is it prepared and shared among individuals and communities during the month-long observance?
other tradition
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates deceased loved ones.
7. Thesis statement: The Dia de los Muertos tradition is a vibrant and colorful celebration that reflects the rich cultural heritage and deep spiritual beliefs of Mexico, with a unique blend of Catholic and indigenous influences that has evolved over many centuries.
8. Questions:
- What are the historical and cultural origins of the Dia de los Muertos tradition, and how has it evolved over time?
- What are some of the key religious and spiritual beliefs that underlie the Day of the Dead celebration, such as the belief in an afterlife and the importance of honoring ancestors?
- How is Dia de los Muertos celebrated in different regions of Mexico, and what are some common practices and rituals associated with it?
- What is the symbolism and significance of the various elements of the Dia de los Muertos celebration, such as the altars, ofrendas, flowers, and food?
- How has the Dia de los Muertos tradition been influenced by cultural and social changes in Mexico and beyond, and what challenges and opportunities does it face in the modern world?
1. Specific custom/tradition: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
2. Working thesis statement: Dia de los Muertos is a unique cultural tradition in Mexican culture that celebrates and honors deceased loved ones through vibrant rituals and activities.
3. Questions to guide research:
1. What is the origin and history of Dia de los Muertos?
2. What are the main elements and symbols associated with Dia de los Muertos?
3. How is Dia de los Muertos celebrated in different regions of Mexico and other parts of the world?
4. What are the traditional foods and beverages that are prepared and consumed during Dia de los Muertos?
5. How has Dia de los Muertos evolved over time and what are its significance and impact on Mexican society today?