Tag Archives: Rites of passage

Funeral Clowns Making a Comeback

A funeral service that sends in the clowns may soften the sadness

As incongruous as it sounds, funeral clowns were once a long-standing tradition in Europe. During the classical period of the Greeks and Romans a funeral clown dressed up as the person who died, wore a mask of his face, and danced about, … Continue reading

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Ceremonial Art of the Asmat Depicts Life and Death

These beautifully intricate wood carvings are on on display at The Met

For the Asmat of southwestern New Guinea, woodcarving is a tradition that dates back to their cultural understanding of the beginning of time. According to Asmat legend, the first being to exist on earth was Fumeripits, a lone individual who … Continue reading

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