Luke went to the Burning Man festival in Nevada, where he participated in the ritual of burning the man. There is a giant wooden sculpture of a man’s head in the center of burning man, that festival goers burn to the ground at the end. This symbolizes the end of a dreamlike experience and the purging of “negative energy that Burning Man helps cleanse, it’s a new beginning”.
Howling at the Sun Ritual
At a music festival in California called Lightning in a Bottle, Luke participated in a folk ritual where he and other festival goers would howl like wolves at the sun, just as it was setting. They would all meet on the top of a hill in the festival grounds for this ritual. It was supposed to wish good luck upon the night as they continued to dance and listen to music, like a blessing.
Work Ethic Proverb
If you work hard enough at it, you can grind even an iron rod down to a needle.
只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针
Awu’s father is a very strict man. He raised Awu and his sister in China for his entire life until Awu left for USC when he was 18. He says that this quote represents “the intense Chinese work ethic my father expected me to have”. He rarely had time to play with his friends, “even on the weekends”. Awu’s father repeated this quote in times when Awu was stressed by school, to discipline and motivate him.
Backpacking Preparation
Informant Info: The informant is an 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri. She is currently a freshman studying Public Policy at USC.
Interview Transcript:
Interviewer: As a hiker/backpacker, do you have any little traditions, rituals, or lucky charms that help ensure you have a safe and successful trip?
Interviewee: Well, before any hike, and also… any test, presentation, or project… I uhh, always – always – ALWAYS – have a very very specific omelet. I make it with 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon of milk, 2 strips of crumbled bacon, half of a pepper, a little spinach, and about a third of a cup of cheese.
Interviewer: Wow, that is specific… like why?
Interviewee: Well, some people have lucky charms but I have my lucky meal. It eases my mind, and it fuels me up. I can focus on making the perfect omelet that it prevents me from stressing out about what’s to come… and I also feel good after, so why not.
Interviewer: Makes sense, have you ever gone without it. If so, how did you feel?
Interviewee: I have. I wasn’t a fan. Something just felt missing. I know it’s stupid but I did noticeable worse on a test once. I knew the material, I studied for weeks… I just blanked. I doubt it would’ve happened had I eaten!
Analysis:
As with other lucky charms or rituals within these collections, a common trend seems to be mindset. The informant sort of mentions it herself by stating that the omelet itself isn’t lucky, but it instead helps her clear her mind. In a way, the omelet only serves as a placebo effect for her. This similar case can likely be argued for many lucky items. Nonetheless, it is interesting that she has such a belief and must make an omelet, of all things, so specifically (and ritually) before any major event.
Friday the 13th
Informant Info: The informant is an 18-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri. She is currently a freshman studying Public Policy at USC.
Interview Transcript:
Interviewer: With it being Friday the 13th, do you have any fears or superstitions regarding it?
Interviewee: I don’t like superstitions like Friday the 13th, because 13 is just another number. But, I will say I do believe in other superstitions, and I couldn’t tell you why. For instance, I refuse to walk under ladders, I think I would curl up in a ball and cry if I broke a mirror, and I always throw salt over my shoulder if I spill it. Again… I don’t know why, but I guess just because we grow up with these superstitions all around us and it’s better to be safe than sorry in my book!
Analysis:
The informant names many of the common superstitions in America, even though she started answering the question be saying she doesn’t like superstitions. Her response seems to be properly in line with many individuals who question the truth/logic behind superstitions by stating that “it is better to be safe than sorry.” A similar response is often found in Ireland when people are asked about the fairy folk.