Tag Archives: Politics

21. HOLIDAYS — NATIONAL & RELIGIOUS

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Ask your friends about the annual national religious calendar (dates and reasons for the celebration). Are there other celebrations or ceremonies that are local? When are these held?

Observe, when possible, several ceremonies done in the village or your area of town. At this stage, don’t worry about fine details of ritual and meaning. Note these important points:

  • The time and date of the ceremony
  • Correlation with phases of the moon, the season of the year, the time of day
  • Who performs the ceremony and where it is held (a building set aside for religious ceremonies, a home, outdoors, etc.)
  • Why it is performed and for whom (an individual, a family, the whole society)
  • What is the purpose of the ceremony (curing, blessing, fertility, dedication, initiation, etc.)
  • Participation – Is it a private ceremony, participation by invitation, or an open public event? Who gets invited? How do people know about the event? How are the participants expected to respond?
  • Progression of events

What other holidays are observed throughout the year? Make a list of these, noting the name of the holiday, the date it is observed, the reason why it is celebrated, and the extent within the country that it is observed (whether it is local, ethnic, or limited in some other way).

How long do the activities last (a day, a week, or more)? What special foods are prepared for the event? Is this an occasion for wearing the national dress? Are there special activities associated with the time? What is their significance? Are homes and neighborhoods decorated for the occasion?

Are schools closed on these special days? Are special programs held in schools or other venues and if so, when? Are outsiders (government dignitaries, parents, friends, etc.) invited?

How much coverage is given on TV or the radio to the celebrations?

Write down your observations and add to them as you have opportunity to attend more such events.

42. LIFE CYCLE: COMING OF AGE

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Many cultures have special traditions or ceremonies to induct their young people into the world of adulthood, but some do not. Inquire about the existence of such traditions. Here are some ideas to get you started.

How and at what age is a boy recognized as an adult, able to take part in adult activities? Is there a special initiation ceremony? Is this a tribal ceremony? One conducted by the family? If a family tradition, would each family have its own tradition, or is this also standardized in the culture? Who conducts it? How is the boy prepared for it? Is he given a new name? Who gives it and how is it determined? What activities are now open to him?

How is a girl recognized as having come of age? At what age are a girl’s ears pierced? By whom? Is special note taken of a girl’s first menstruation? How? How is she prepared for it? Does a girl receive an adult name? What duties, responsibilities, or privileges are now open to her?

55. KNOW YOUR NEW COUNTRY: Voting in Elections

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A word of CAUTION: In some countries it is not advisable for a foreigner to ask questions about politics and the political system. You will still want to learn about this topic but asking questions of a neighbor or friend may be very inappropriate. Please discuss this with a trusted expat advisor before interviewing someone about voting and elections.

[NOTE: Some of this material may overlap with “Its Government,” but in order to talk about elections, this is needed for background]

What official administrative positions are there:

  • in your neighborhood?
  • your village, town, or city?
  • on the national level?

How are these political leaders selected? What qualifications are looked for in this process? Does age, experience, education, ethnic or religious affiliation, residence, or some other quality figure most highly?

Are there general elections? How often are they held? Who is allowed to vote? How are illiterate voters able to cast their ballots? How much interest do the people have in selecting or voting for their officials? Is interest higher when voting for local officials in contrast to national leaders?

How do candidates make themselves and their platform known to the public? in public meetings? by TV programs? by going house to house?

Talk to people before an election. How important a role do they feel elections have in the governing of their country? their town? Do they feel that their vote really counts? Do people talk together before elections to give or receive advice on how to vote or is this considered a very private concern?

Where do the people in your neighborhood go to vote? If permissible, go to the polling place and observe people as they cast their ballots. How are ballots cast? Written out? Electronically? Where are they put? Do people interact with each other in the polling area? Do you get the impression of pride, anger, frustration, hope? Describe what you can observe and check these out with some of your friends.

How will the votes be tallied? Who is appointed to do this? How are the results announced to the public?