The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning of womanhood in relation to the Swedish fäbod culture at the turn of the 20th century. The study is based upon a questionnaire from 1928 and the material is collected from the archives at the Nordic Museum in Stockholm and the Institute for Language and Folklore in Uppsala. Drawing upon gender and ritual theories, the study intends to gain an understanding for what it meant to be a woman of the fäbod by examining how fäbod herdswomen were culturally shaped and initiated into women both in relation to their place in the fäbod community of herdswomen, but also in respect to the wider community and society of which they were a part of.  The main conclusion of the study is that the journey into the fäbod woods can be seen as a rite of passage where adolescent girls going to the fäbod for the first time were initiated into the fäbod community of herdswomen. Womanhood is a cultural phenomenon in which women are culturally shaped and initiated into women not only by the codes, conceptions and values of the society at large, but also by the stories, customs and traditions of their local communities. The fäbod herdswomen were born into the gender power structures of a patriarchal society that sought to shape them into promising wives, and they were also women of the fäbod, initiated into the fäbod communitas, a form of female counterculture with its very own musical language, customs and traditions, and with its very own definitions of womanhood.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo de caso (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010), de abordagem qualitativa, realizado junto à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, com o objetivo de identificar, sob a perspectiva de rito de passagem, como se dá a socialização dos ingressantes técnico-administrativos e que ações institucionais poderiam contribuir para consolidar o vínculo desses servidores. A pesquisa orientou-se pelo pressuposto de que as emoções afloradas durante a socialização de ingressantes na Administração Pública podem tanto contribuir quanto prejudicar a formação de vínculos afetivos, impactando, positiva ou negativamente, a identificação com a organização e o comprometimento com o trabalho. Assim, a socialização é contemplada como um reflexo da relação indissociável e interdependente entre indivíduo e sociedade, e a realidade social como um produto da socialização e da interação humana, em consonância com as concepções de Berger e Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) e Setton (2010, 2011). Já a mudança de status, decorrente do ingresso no setor público, é tratada como um rito de passagem constituído de três fases, separação, margem e agregação, conforme teoriza Van Gennep (2011). Os dados foram coletados por meio de pesquisa documental, diários de campo, observação participante, questionários abertos, aplicados a ingressantes do concurso 2010, e entrevistas realizadas com servidores “antigos”, com apoio de um roteiro semi-estruturado. Os resultados sugerem que a fase de margem, correspondente ao estágio probatório de três anos, não é legitimada como um período de aprendizado, e, consequentemente, não há clara definição dos papéis de socializados (ingressantes) e socializadores (“antigos”). Existem expectativas de que os ingressantes adotem uma postura de humildade e deferência em relação aos “antigos”, e de que estes, por sua vez, assumam responsabilidades em relação ao aprendizado dos recém-chegados. Entretanto, em decorrência da indefinição de papéis, essas teatralizações, que são próprias da fase de margem, tendem a ser negligenciadas, causando conflitos que prejudicam o trabalho em equipe e o andamento do trabalho. A importação da lógica de mercado no serviço público também é evidenciada como origem de muitas das dificuldades identificadas, apontando para a necessidade de direcionar esforços visando uma conscientização nesse sentido. Como possível solução para os problemas levantados, sugere-se a realização de procedimentos ritualizados que reforcem o caráter de aprendizado da fase liminar, conduzidos por facilitadores designados e capacitados para tanto, que atuem como mediadores legitimados, em nível de unidade. Por fim, conclui-se que investimentos na socialização de recém-concursados são primordiais, podendo repercutir em maior comprometimento com o trabalho e melhores resultados em relação aos objetivos institucionais do que a implementação de mecanismos coercitivos de controle e de gestão do desempenho, característicos do modelo gerencialista que vêm se consolidando na administração pública desde o Plano Diretor da Reforma do Aparelho do Estado de 1995. / This work presents the results of a qualitative case study (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010) that took place at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul with the aim of identifying, according to the perspective of rite of passage, how the socialization of the administrative staff is carried out and what institutional actions may contribute to the consolidation of organizational bonding. The research had its starting point in the assumption that newcomers who join the public sector experience emotions, triggered by socialization, that have the potential to either enhance or impair bonding processes, impacting identification with the organization and commitment to work in a positive or negative way. Thus, socialization is seen as a reflection of the inseparable and interdependent relation between individual and society whereas social reality is considered a by-product of socialization and human interaction, according to the conceptions of Berger and Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) and Setton (2010, 2011). In its turn, the change of status caused by getting a job in the public sector is treated as a rite of passage that can be divided into three phases, separation, margin and aggregation, as theorized by Van Gennep (2011). The data was collected by means of documentary research, field journals, participant observation, open questionnaire applied to the newcomers of the 2010 selection process, and semi-structured interviews with senior level staff members. The results suggest that the margin phase, which corresponds to the three-year probationary period, is not legitimized as a learning period, therefore there‟s no clarity with regard to the different roles of “persons being socialized” and “agents of socialization”, to be respectively assumed by the newcomers and the senior level staff members. The newcomers should adopt a humble and respectful attitude towards their senior level colleagues, who, in turn, should undertake certain responsibilities in the learning process of the former. However, due to the lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities, these expected theatrical-like behaviors tend to be neglected, leading to conflicts that disrupt teamwork and hinder the workflow. There‟s also evidence that the adoption of the market logic in the public sector may be the cause of many of the identified difficulties, which points to the need of directing efforts to raise awareness about this issue. A possible solution to the problems addressed by this research is the institutionalization of ritualized procedures designed to reinforce the learning-focused nature of the margin phase and conducted by properly trained facilitators, appointed to act as legitimate mediators in each decentralized unit. Finally, it is concluded that investments in the socialization of newcomers are essential and may yield stronger commitment to work and better results for the institution than the implementation of coercive mechanisms of performance management associated with the managerial model that has been consolidating itself in the public administration since the public sector reform of 1995.

The marriage custom of charivari/shivaree evolved from a punitive form of social control in Europe and Great Britain, to a raucous American celebration that welcomed newlyweds into a community. The isolated ranching community of Park Valley, Utah performed their own unique version of shivaree. This investigation of their ritualized tradition began with a review of the cultural landscape combined with the contemporary rural society that forms a community-clan who descends from six pioneer families. The existing community outlived mining and railroad towns that originally populated the area. The surviving Mormon culture is reflected in the value and belief structure of its people and, therefore, their social activities. This context built a foundation for interpreting the function of the community's shivarees. Twenty-five primary interviews provided seven case studies, which structured the argument that their impromptu performances went beyond just offering a hand of welcome; their shivarees, performed after the formal marriage festivities, functioned as a complex rite of passage. Ritualized traditions like kidnapping the bride and groom, wearing crazy get-ups, and breaking bread together codified the relationships that bound their society together. In all cases, at least one member of the newly married couple was an insider of the community - they belonged to the community clan. The impromptu performance was organized using local resources as the newlyweds were moved from the sacred to secular sphere, creating a liminal period where social norms were tested, before the final rite of passage. Park Valley shivarees transitioned them into their new social position as contributing members of this insular society; it was an informal rite of acceptance.

In this essay I refer Eilis Ni Dhuibhne’s narrative construction of the main characters and the theme of the novel The Dancers Dancing, in the context of the anthropologist Victor Turner’s concept of liminality. Thus the summer in the Gaeltacht that five teenage girls experience, can be understood as a depiction of the liminal phase in a rite of passage. Ni Dhuibhne’s differently constructed characters enlighten different aspects of liminality and through the céilí dance their experiences are exposed. Furthermore this essay suggests that Julia Kristeva’s notion of the chora, which can be associated to dance, is also relevant when describing the unbounded and unlimited process that radically can reform social structures. I conclude that the liminal space offers an area of many possibilities. It functions as a free zone where the main characters can freely explore their personal issues that trouble them, or the difficulties of their own society.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo de caso (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010), de abordagem qualitativa, realizado junto à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, com o objetivo de identificar, sob a perspectiva de rito de passagem, como se dá a socialização dos ingressantes técnico-administrativos e que ações institucionais poderiam contribuir para consolidar o vínculo desses servidores. A pesquisa orientou-se pelo pressuposto de que as emoções afloradas durante a socialização de ingressantes na Administração Pública podem tanto contribuir quanto prejudicar a formação de vínculos afetivos, impactando, positiva ou negativamente, a identificação com a organização e o comprometimento com o trabalho. Assim, a socialização é contemplada como um reflexo da relação indissociável e interdependente entre indivíduo e sociedade, e a realidade social como um produto da socialização e da interação humana, em consonância com as concepções de Berger e Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) e Setton (2010, 2011). Já a mudança de status, decorrente do ingresso no setor público, é tratada como um rito de passagem constituído de três fases, separação, margem e agregação, conforme teoriza Van Gennep (2011). Os dados foram coletados por meio de pesquisa documental, diários de campo, observação participante, questionários abertos, aplicados a ingressantes do concurso 2010, e entrevistas realizadas com servidores “antigos”, com apoio de um roteiro semi-estruturado. Os resultados sugerem que a fase de margem, correspondente ao estágio probatório de três anos, não é legitimada como um período de aprendizado, e, consequentemente, não há clara definição dos papéis de socializados (ingressantes) e socializadores (“antigos”). Existem expectativas de que os ingressantes adotem uma postura de humildade e deferência em relação aos “antigos”, e de que estes, por sua vez, assumam responsabilidades em relação ao aprendizado dos recém-chegados. Entretanto, em decorrência da indefinição de papéis, essas teatralizações, que são próprias da fase de margem, tendem a ser negligenciadas, causando conflitos que prejudicam o trabalho em equipe e o andamento do trabalho. A importação da lógica de mercado no serviço público também é evidenciada como origem de muitas das dificuldades identificadas, apontando para a necessidade de direcionar esforços visando uma conscientização nesse sentido. Como possível solução para os problemas levantados, sugere-se a realização de procedimentos ritualizados que reforcem o caráter de aprendizado da fase liminar, conduzidos por facilitadores designados e capacitados para tanto, que atuem como mediadores legitimados, em nível de unidade. Por fim, conclui-se que investimentos na socialização de recém-concursados são primordiais, podendo repercutir em maior comprometimento com o trabalho e melhores resultados em relação aos objetivos institucionais do que a implementação de mecanismos coercitivos de controle e de gestão do desempenho, característicos do modelo gerencialista que vêm se consolidando na administração pública desde o Plano Diretor da Reforma do Aparelho do Estado de 1995. / This work presents the results of a qualitative case study (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010) that took place at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul with the aim of identifying, according to the perspective of rite of passage, how the socialization of the administrative staff is carried out and what institutional actions may contribute to the consolidation of organizational bonding. The research had its starting point in the assumption that newcomers who join the public sector experience emotions, triggered by socialization, that have the potential to either enhance or impair bonding processes, impacting identification with the organization and commitment to work in a positive or negative way. Thus, socialization is seen as a reflection of the inseparable and interdependent relation between individual and society whereas social reality is considered a by-product of socialization and human interaction, according to the conceptions of Berger and Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) and Setton (2010, 2011). In its turn, the change of status caused by getting a job in the public sector is treated as a rite of passage that can be divided into three phases, separation, margin and aggregation, as theorized by Van Gennep (2011). The data was collected by means of documentary research, field journals, participant observation, open questionnaire applied to the newcomers of the 2010 selection process, and semi-structured interviews with senior level staff members. The results suggest that the margin phase, which corresponds to the three-year probationary period, is not legitimized as a learning period, therefore there‟s no clarity with regard to the different roles of “persons being socialized” and “agents of socialization”, to be respectively assumed by the newcomers and the senior level staff members. The newcomers should adopt a humble and respectful attitude towards their senior level colleagues, who, in turn, should undertake certain responsibilities in the learning process of the former. However, due to the lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities, these expected theatrical-like behaviors tend to be neglected, leading to conflicts that disrupt teamwork and hinder the workflow. There‟s also evidence that the adoption of the market logic in the public sector may be the cause of many of the identified difficulties, which points to the need of directing efforts to raise awareness about this issue. A possible solution to the problems addressed by this research is the institutionalization of ritualized procedures designed to reinforce the learning-focused nature of the margin phase and conducted by properly trained facilitators, appointed to act as legitimate mediators in each decentralized unit. Finally, it is concluded that investments in the socialization of newcomers are essential and may yield stronger commitment to work and better results for the institution than the implementation of coercive mechanisms of performance management associated with the managerial model that has been consolidating itself in the public administration since the public sector reform of 1995.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo de caso (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010), de abordagem qualitativa, realizado junto à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, com o objetivo de identificar, sob a perspectiva de rito de passagem, como se dá a socialização dos ingressantes técnico-administrativos e que ações institucionais poderiam contribuir para consolidar o vínculo desses servidores. A pesquisa orientou-se pelo pressuposto de que as emoções afloradas durante a socialização de ingressantes na Administração Pública podem tanto contribuir quanto prejudicar a formação de vínculos afetivos, impactando, positiva ou negativamente, a identificação com a organização e o comprometimento com o trabalho. Assim, a socialização é contemplada como um reflexo da relação indissociável e interdependente entre indivíduo e sociedade, e a realidade social como um produto da socialização e da interação humana, em consonância com as concepções de Berger e Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) e Setton (2010, 2011). Já a mudança de status, decorrente do ingresso no setor público, é tratada como um rito de passagem constituído de três fases, separação, margem e agregação, conforme teoriza Van Gennep (2011). Os dados foram coletados por meio de pesquisa documental, diários de campo, observação participante, questionários abertos, aplicados a ingressantes do concurso 2010, e entrevistas realizadas com servidores “antigos”, com apoio de um roteiro semi-estruturado. Os resultados sugerem que a fase de margem, correspondente ao estágio probatório de três anos, não é legitimada como um período de aprendizado, e, consequentemente, não há clara definição dos papéis de socializados (ingressantes) e socializadores (“antigos”). Existem expectativas de que os ingressantes adotem uma postura de humildade e deferência em relação aos “antigos”, e de que estes, por sua vez, assumam responsabilidades em relação ao aprendizado dos recém-chegados. Entretanto, em decorrência da indefinição de papéis, essas teatralizações, que são próprias da fase de margem, tendem a ser negligenciadas, causando conflitos que prejudicam o trabalho em equipe e o andamento do trabalho. A importação da lógica de mercado no serviço público também é evidenciada como origem de muitas das dificuldades identificadas, apontando para a necessidade de direcionar esforços visando uma conscientização nesse sentido. Como possível solução para os problemas levantados, sugere-se a realização de procedimentos ritualizados que reforcem o caráter de aprendizado da fase liminar, conduzidos por facilitadores designados e capacitados para tanto, que atuem como mediadores legitimados, em nível de unidade. Por fim, conclui-se que investimentos na socialização de recém-concursados são primordiais, podendo repercutir em maior comprometimento com o trabalho e melhores resultados em relação aos objetivos institucionais do que a implementação de mecanismos coercitivos de controle e de gestão do desempenho, característicos do modelo gerencialista que vêm se consolidando na administração pública desde o Plano Diretor da Reforma do Aparelho do Estado de 1995. / This work presents the results of a qualitative case study (MINAYO, 1993, 2010; YIN, 2010) that took place at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul with the aim of identifying, according to the perspective of rite of passage, how the socialization of the administrative staff is carried out and what institutional actions may contribute to the consolidation of organizational bonding. The research had its starting point in the assumption that newcomers who join the public sector experience emotions, triggered by socialization, that have the potential to either enhance or impair bonding processes, impacting identification with the organization and commitment to work in a positive or negative way. Thus, socialization is seen as a reflection of the inseparable and interdependent relation between individual and society whereas social reality is considered a by-product of socialization and human interaction, according to the conceptions of Berger and Luckmann (2011), Cavedon (1990, 2000, 2010) and Setton (2010, 2011). In its turn, the change of status caused by getting a job in the public sector is treated as a rite of passage that can be divided into three phases, separation, margin and aggregation, as theorized by Van Gennep (2011). The data was collected by means of documentary research, field journals, participant observation, open questionnaire applied to the newcomers of the 2010 selection process, and semi-structured interviews with senior level staff members. The results suggest that the margin phase, which corresponds to the three-year probationary period, is not legitimized as a learning period, therefore there‟s no clarity with regard to the different roles of “persons being socialized” and “agents of socialization”, to be respectively assumed by the newcomers and the senior level staff members. The newcomers should adopt a humble and respectful attitude towards their senior level colleagues, who, in turn, should undertake certain responsibilities in the learning process of the former. However, due to the lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities, these expected theatrical-like behaviors tend to be neglected, leading to conflicts that disrupt teamwork and hinder the workflow. There‟s also evidence that the adoption of the market logic in the public sector may be the cause of many of the identified difficulties, which points to the need of directing efforts to raise awareness about this issue. A possible solution to the problems addressed by this research is the institutionalization of ritualized procedures designed to reinforce the learning-focused nature of the margin phase and conducted by properly trained facilitators, appointed to act as legitimate mediators in each decentralized unit. Finally, it is concluded that investments in the socialization of newcomers are essential and may yield stronger commitment to work and better results for the institution than the implementation of coercive mechanisms of performance management associated with the managerial model that has been consolidating itself in the public administration since the public sector reform of 1995.

Orientador: Ana Angélica Medeiros Albano / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T13:17:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Reyes_RoseHelena_D.pdf: 19938134 bytes, checksum: 11b97fdc7cd1bb24a5afd74a84626a53 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A presente pesquisa consiste no relato de uma práxis pedagógica construída ao longo de 23 anos no âmbito do Ensino Fundamental, na Escola Casa Via Magia. É um relato da história de uma experiência de ritual de passagem com as crianças do quinto ano, último ano delas na nossa escola. Uma montagem de teatro que foi se tornando um drama ritual que busca favorecer as mudanças na vida dessas crianças nesse momento: crescer, mudar de nível escolar e de escola. Traz a memória dessa construção, uma reflexão sobre o tecer da metodologia e da cosmovisão desse trabalho de encenação, que inclui um diálogo entre os saberes, entre as artes e delas com as ciências, entre artistas educadores e as crianças, entre as crianças elas mesmas e de cada um consigo mesmo. Retoma certas referências do teatro contemporâneo e/ou experimental (Stanilavski, Artaud, Grotowski e Brook), da arte-educação de Read e da psicanálise (especialmente de Lacan e Freud, entre outros). Faz contato com a pesquisa antropológica de Lévi-Strauss, Van Gennep, Turner, DaMatta e outros, assim como contato com reflexões filosóficas, especialmente de Heidegger e dos estudiosos de sua obra. Em última instância trata-se de dar atenção aos encontros e despedidas de nossas vidas e do desvelamento do nosso ser, sempre ser-com. Um cuidado que a arte, a educação e a rede de afetos têm podido potencializar nessa experiência a ser compartilhada / Abstract: This research consists on the report of a pedagogical praxis built over 23 years within the framework of elementary teaching at Casa Via Magia Elementary School. It is a report of the history of a rite of passage experience with children of the fifth grade that are leaving the school. A theater production that became a ritual drama which aims to encourage changes in the lives of these children in this specific phase: growing, changing of school and educational level. It brings the memory of that construction, a reflection on the weaving of this methodology and the worldview of this staging work, which includes a dialogue between knowledges, arts, arts with sciences, between art educators and children, between the children themselves and each one with themselves. Reviewing certain references of contemporary and/or experimental theater (Stanilavski, Artaud, Grotowski and Brook), Read¿s art-education and psychoanalysis (especially Lacan and Freud, among others). Getting in touch with the anthropological researches of Lévi-Strauss, Van Gennep, Turner, Da Matta and others, as well as contacts with philosophical thoughts, especially Heidegger¿s and researchers on his work. Ultimately it is about giving attention to encounters and farewells of our lives and the unveiling of our being, always being-with. A well care that art, education and the network of affections have been able to enhance in this experience to be shared / Doutorado / Educação, Conhecimento, Linguagem e Arte / Doutora em Educação

This master thesis focuses on the theme of a rite of passage, of a pupil turning into a master. It is about the material and mental change during a performance in the space of a baroque chapel. In this way, a man´s spirit and the genius loci of a place are interconnected.

The narrative research journey and pilgrimage into and epistemological reflection on the relevance of the Benedictine, Franciscan and Taizé monastic-mystic traditions (associative spirituality) for retreat within the Dutch Reformed tradition (disassociate spirituality) began because of a passion for, an interest in retreat and because of lack of research done on the subject. The research developed in story form as a participative active process of story development, interpretation, and reflection in which the researcher and the research subject as valued co-researchers (co-pilgrims) constructed a shared reality and new story together. Consequently, the observations and experiences reflected on may tell just as much about the researcher as about the action of retreat and the research participants. The action of retreat was not approached in a neutral, objective stance but with self-awareness, particular presuppositions, and a postmodern philosophical mindset with ideological-critical, deconstructive and inclusive thought processes. The research problem was viewed as a narrative situation of action, explained by means of empirical research, and interpreted via epistemological reflection and theological theories. The focus has not been on new or adapted theory formulation, hypotheses, or “conclusions” as such but on the empiric interaction between the experiences of Mystery (noumenon), the Jesus narrative, stories of the co-pilgrims, monastic traditions, Dutch Reformed tradition, the researchers’ own story, and those who might read the thesis. A potential amplifying or expanding of the repertoire of existing options and meanings were viewed as a possibility in the creative development of a new reality or research story. The aim was to listen to, understand, and interpret qualitatively the subjective dimension and experience of the reality (story/ies) of retreat as a situation where pilgrims (from different traditions and spiritualities) were in relation with God, self and others. The research journey took me into the life world of the monastic-mystic traditions and my own internal dialectics and story within a Dutch Reformed context. From here arose questions, engagement, and re-engagement with the monastic traditions and a new story. The concern was the beliefs and practices of the retreatants (co pilgrims) under study as beings in real-life human experiential reality, taking seriously their concerns, expressions of belief, practice, perceptions, and stories. The data from the empirical encounter was subsequently investigated, mapped with the major themes and interests highlighted and reflected on in the process. The main themes and focal points that were identified and researched were: -- The lives and stories of St. Benedict, St. Francis, and Br. Roger, their respective communities’ monastic-mystic spirituality, the way these traditions approach retreat and the way they live or express their respective monastic rules or orders in comparison with the Dutch Reformed traditions’ retreat narrative. -- The main elements of Monastic retreat namely silence, solitude, lectio divina in facilitating an awareness of God and the mystery of God as part of the journey to the inner mountain, ever deeper into his presence. -- Different types of retreat and especially the experience of monastic retreat, the experience of holy places (desert spirituality) as places saturated by prayer, Eucharist and the community of pilgrims, and retreat as pilgrimage experience. -- Retreat as ritual following a rite of passage structure of separation, marginality and reincorporation focusing on structure and anti-structure (power of liminality) as helpful tool of analysis and framework for planning of retreat. -- The potential therapeutic or pastoral care qualities of a monastic way of retreat facilitating in pilgrims, life story interpretation and new understanding of stories. The research story ended in the form of findings and the posing of possible questions for future research. / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Keywords: ritual, rite of passage, social change, consumer culture, media This thesis deals with a ritual observed today in a panorama of extremely dense consumer culture in the highly industrialized society of Japan. The ritual in exam is known under the name of Shichigosan (translated into English as Seven-Five-Three) and it is observed by children of three, five and seven years of age. The ritual has its predecessors in various rural ritual observances that were associated to certain ages seen as threshold in the child's life. The consolidation of the urban pattern of the ritual went along with the transformation and urbanization during the Tokugawa shogunate from the 17th century onwards. The thesis describes the historical development of Shichigosan during which it has proved capable of adaptation to changing social and economic conditions without losing those elements that render it recognizable as a ritual mode of expression. The ritual in exam unfolds as a shared platform of meaning where basic social values, views on children and family life, and also individual perceptions emerge, are expressed and shaped at the same time. The main scope of the thesis is to interpret not only the reasons of the popularity of this observance, but more importantly, how its meaning in the modern Japanese...