Thankgiving Notes - Paul Roussos

Paul Roussos
1/25/13
Unit Two

Thanksgiving Rituals in the U.S.

History:

Traditions conducted by families across the United States are based all the way back in 1621 when there was a year of sickness and scarcity. Following the sickness, people were rewarded with a bountiful harvest of food. Pilgrims that came to America took the time to celebrate in the harvest by thanking God and celebrating in the bounty with traditions of feasting and recreational activities. The traditions celebrated by North Americans today are a blend of the New England customs of rejoicing after a successful harvest. It is also based upon the ancient English tradition of festivals coinciding with harvest combined with prayer and feasting.

Gender:

Roles of both males and females are clearly apparent in terms of traditions played out during Thanksgiving. Below is a list separated by gender of some activities conducted:

Males:

-Carving the Turkey

-Playing and watching football

-Sitting at the head of the table

Females:

-Shopping for ingredients

-Making party plans

- Cooking the turkey and side dishes

Socio- Economic Class:

Higher income citizens are indeed separate from the lower levels of income when it comes to the activities conducted during Thanksgiving. The more wealthy people may find it appropriate to go to a very luxurious party where the food is catered to them. However the lower income people may find it appropriate to cook and serve the food in the comfort of their own homes with friends and family. No matter the income of one family there is a still a need to party and feast while conducting in recreational activities.

Generation:

Different generations act accordingly and are treated with different levels of respect on Thanksgiving Day. The elders and grandparents are treated with the most respect as they converse with younger generations. Elders can be seen at the head of the table during the eating played out by family. Younger generation on the other hand can be seen sometimes at a separate “kids table” if there is a large amount of people. These children also have the least amount of privileges being that they can’t drink or sit at the head of the table during dinner time.

Ethnic/Family:

Different families may have different traditions played out during thanksgiving. Not everyone will be sitting down at their family dinner table during thanksgiving. Some families may agree to go out and eat at a restaurant instead of cooking meals themselves. Other families however cherish the time spent in their own homes with relatives during thanksgiving time and spend their time eating and recreating at home.

 

Ciritcal Thinking Assignment - Paul Roussos

Paul Roussos
Unit Two Assignment

Critical Thinking and Anthropology

      I will be able to apply my critical thinking skills in many ways throughout the quarter in class. I already have a relevant understanding of what is required in order to conduct in critical thinking. This is because in previous classes I have been asked to reflect in a critical thinking matter upon topics relevant to Anthropology such as Sociology. Since there has been a relevance of critical thinking in previous classes, I believe I will find it easy for me to apply this knowledge towards the work conducted for Anthropology. With the inclusion of critical thinking I will plan on being on a relevant level of knowledge and thinking with those who study Anthropology as well as compare my knowledge with the knowledge of professionals in order to grow in the understanding of the study of human interaction.
     I will first become focused in the assignments I complete in class in order to further apply critical thinking skills towards them. In previous assignments and study conducted in areas such as the Native American Indian group study, I feel like I have gained the knowledge required in order to think critically upon the topic. Continuing in my further study upon Anthropology I will take numerous notes and listen closely to my instructor in order to reflect on the knowledge that I have gained to help in my critical thinking.
     There are also many strategies and study routines that I can conduct in order to think critically upon the sub topics I will be confronted with regarding Anthropology. For instance, after spending time listening to my instructor in class, I will reflect upon the notes and assignments I have completed in order to further my understanding in key information. After reflecting upon previous topics I can apply my knowledge towards further areas of learning in Anthropology as I study human interactions of different cultures and societies. All in all, this will be a continuous process of reflection upon previous learned ideas in order to critically apply my thinking towards new areas of learning with Anthropology.

American Indian Study- Paul Roussos

Paul Roussos
1/25/13

American Indian Ritual Study

History, Society, and Culture:

     Located in the Pacific Northwestern territory, the Chinook Native Americans are one of the most well-known Native American tribes. Their region spreads throughout the coastline primarily on the northern side of the Columbia River. Their earliest knowledge of existence dates back to at least twelve years before the arrival of Lewis and Clark around 1793. They were a vast and lively population of people consisting of approximately 1,112 in 1855.

     The culture of the Chinook people can be seen through their activities primarily with fishing for salmon along the coast as well as trading goods ranging from fish, fur and even slaves. Their place of resting consisted of homes along embankments of the Columbia River spanning all the way towards the Pacific Ocean. Within their resting place, the women in the society could be seen conducting bead work as well as making clothing items out of animal remains. Women were the primary care givers of the children while the men fished for salmon and hunted for large game consisting of deer and other wildlife.

     Throughout the society there was a constant feel of leisure and need for entertainment. They were a very peaceful group of people which rarely would be seen conducting in violent and harmful behavior. Entertainment throughout the Chinook villages consisted of ritual dances where people dressed top to bottom in beads and extravagant attire. Their ritual dances were seen not only as a source of entertainment but as well as a problem solving method in order to resolve conflict.

Individual Spirit Quest Ritual:

     The ritual known as the individual spirit quest has been a part of the Chinook religion and tradition since their existence. The Chinook villages consisting of many close relatives were led by a senior elder who was thought to have been well respected in the community. The senior elder who was respected in the community conducted the individual spirit quest which was an even undertaken by every citizen whether male or female. This ceremony conducted in the adolescent stage began with a series of prayers and traditional statements of the elder and medicine man of the society. With the traditional items included in the spirit quest, the ceremony seeks for the adolescent to acquire a guardian spirit that will give them hunting, curing, and numerous other powers while at the same time to bring them good luck and to teach both song and dance. Singing ceremonies with the elder and medicine man were a demonstration of receiving this gift.

     After contact with the Europeans however, many of the villages and close knit societies found along the Columbia River were separated. With the separation and absence of some societies in the Chinook region, there were few that continued on. Chinook societies still believe in the importance of this ritual as it has become part of Chinook descendant’s religion.

 

Work Cited

"Chinook." Chinook. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.

 <https://umdrive.memphis.edu/g-sig/www/chinook.htm>.

"Chinook Indian - Enigmatic Tribe of the Columbia River." Chinook Indian - Enigmatic Tribe of

                the Columbia River. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.

<http://www.chinookindian.com/>.