Dimitris Xygalatas
About the author
Dimitris Xygalatas is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Psychological Sciences at the University of Connecticut.
He has spent several years studying rituals in various parts of the world, (Greece, Bulgaria, Spain and Mauritius),combining ethnographic observations with scientific experiments. He has published over 100 articles. His latest book, Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living (2022), focuses on the ability of rituals to soothe, excite, unite and divide us.
About the text
The writer speaks about the positive effects holiday traditions and rituals have on people. Communities have some specific rituals and traditions that bind the people together. Rituals during personal celebrations like birthdays, weddings, and religious holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah create memorable moments in our lives.
Holiday rituals make us feel good. They help us put our everyday worries aside and set aside time to spend with our loved ones. Holidays are filled with family get-togethers, rituals, and many other things that make us smile. Family rituals are valuable and provide various psychological benefits, like connecting with our loved ones and a break from routine.
The writer describes some of the psychological benefits of holiday rituals in our lives.
i)An anxiety buffer-They reduce the stress and anxiety
ii) Happy meals-festive meals/ special meals bring the entire family or community together.
iii)Sharing is Caring-;maintaining social ties by sharing gifts during holiday period
iv) The stuff family is made of -Strengthen family ties.
i) An anxiety buffer
Dimitris argues that laboratory experiments and field studies show that repetitive actions involved in rituals can lessen our anxiety. People enjoy leaving their worries behind during holiday gatherings. The holidays give us a sense of security that reduces stress and anxiety in everyday life.
ii) Festive meals
Sharing a festive meal brings the entire family together around the table and gives room for conversation and connection.
Many cultures have elaborate rituals related to how food is cooked, served, or eaten. Dimitris gives some examples of rituals related to food. In Jewish tradition, food is prepared as per their specific rules (kosher). In parts of the Middle East and India, only the right hand must be used for eating. A commonly held superstition in many European countries, such as France and Germany, is that they suffer through seven years of 'bad sex' if they break eye contact during toast-making. Research shows that performing a ritual before a meal makes it tastier, and the labor involved in cooking food enhances the practice of cooking.
iii) Sharing is caring.
The writer urges us not to underestimate the importance of exchanging gifts. Anthropologists observed that the ritualised gift- giving plays an important role in maintaining relationships.
iv) The stuff family is made of
The holiday rituals keep the family united especially distant relatives.
According to his research, participating in group rituals develops a sense of belonging. Holiday customs are significant to children because studies show that children who participate in group rituals form deep bonds with their friends.
According to Kahneman's research, when we examine our past experiences, we prefer to remember the greatest and final moments, paying little attention to everything else. This is referred to as the peak-end rule.
Glossary
1) Kosher=The rules of kosher define what a Jewish person is allowed to eat, how they must prepare certain foods, and what foods they are allowed to combine with other foods.
2) buffer=something that reduces the impact of something else
3) Hanukkah= an eight day Jewish holiday
4) anxiety= feeling of worry.
5) Kahneman= Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel laureate.
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