Ritual Studies: The Instagram Account Exploring Esoteric Customs Of The World

Instagram account @ritualstudies investigates diverse and esoteric histories, offering unique insights into ritual practices from across the globe. From Amazigh body adornments, Māori greetings and Lithuanian foodways, to Turkish tombstones and Tajik wedding ceremonies, the feed is an aesthetic odyssey as well as a trove of cultural insight. Among the page’s recent highlights, discover the ancient Omani practice of Ardhah, showcasing the mastery of horses and camels. On Alardhah day, which translates to the “day of the festival” in Arabic, spectators gather at the racecourse to witness the equestrian and camel riders’ captivating shows. These performances are accompanied by other traditional art forms, including the recitation of poems. The practice is deeply rooted in both rural and urban areas, reflecting the remarkable expertise and care that people devote to animals.

The Chin region in Myanmar is home to the last remaining group of “Chin Women,” an ethnic minority known for their intricate facial tattoos. These tattoos are created using grass, leaves, shoots, and soot, applied with sharp cane thorns. According to legend, this tradition originated when a Burmese King was captivated by the beauty of a young Chin woman and abducted her to be his bride. Consequently, it became common for young Chin girls to be abducted by kings from neighbouring areas for forced marriages. To safeguard their daughters from such fate, Chin families began tattooing their daughters’ faces. Another belief among the Chin is that the tattoos were meant for beautification or to distinguish different Chin tribes, providing identification in case of kidnapping incidents. In the 1960s, the government implemented a ban on this practice as part of an effort to promote “modernisation.”

Keep scrolling to unearth a curious finding in Scotland. As chronicled by The London Times in 1836, during early July, a group of boys were exploring the rocky landscape near Edinburgh known as Arthur’s Seat in search of rabbit burrows. As they ventured into a cliffside, they stumbled upon thin slate sheets, which they proceeded to remove. Within the small cave below, they made a remarkable discovery: seventeen miniature coffins, each intricately crafted. The coffins were accompanied by tiny wooden dolls, all carefully dressed. The origin, purpose, and creator(s) of these coffins remain uncertain. Today, only eight of them remain, preserved at the National Museum in Edinburgh. One of the earliest theories associated with Edinburgh’s Miniature Coffins was linked to witchcraft. Breaking the news, reports published in The Scotsman first seized upon the theory, which has endured over time; many still believe that these coffins were used in occult ceremonies.

Learn about the Traditional Chinese Organ Body Clock, a system that divides the movement of Qi, the vital force, into 12 two-hour intervals corresponding to different organs. Practitioners of Chinese Medicine utilise this clock to identify the organ associated with specific diseases. For instance, if you consistently wake up between 3-5am, it may indicate underlying grief or sadness affecting your lung area. According to this system, feelings of anger or resentment tend to be strongest during the liver’s restorative time period, which is 1-3am. Similarly, if you experience back pain towards the end of your workday, it could be linked to pent-up emotions of fear or potential kidney issues. The Body Energy Clock is based on the idea that energy flows cyclically throughout the body. Over a 24-hour period, Qi moves through the organ systems in two-hour intervals, as depicted in the diagram. During sleep, Qi retreats inward to restore the body, with the liver performing essential functions and cleansing the blood, preparing for the subsequent outward movement of the life force.



Feature image: Chin woman with intricate facial tattoos, Myanmar. Photo: @ritualstudies