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With Father's day coming up, I've been walking through stores and bombarded with barbecues, golf clubs, ties, and sports jerseys. I want to issue a request to Hallmark that they make cards for dads who don't work in offices, aren't outdoorsy and don't enjoy sports unless Nascar counts, and it got me thinking; not every culture has the same definition of what a man "should" or "shouldn't" like or dislike. So this exercise is a two-parter!
First, come up with a definition of manliness for your culture; what are manly men supposed to look like? What are they supposed to enjoy? What are they supposed to dissociate themselves from? In what ways are they supposed to behave differently from females?
Second, invent a holiday that celebrates manliness! A day for the male gender to celebrate itself, and dedicated to things perceived as being manly, or that men are encouraged to enjoy/participate in. This is a good setup for a coming-of-age ceremony, a test of courage, or other landmark in a boy's growing up. It could be a day when men get pampered, or when they work hard and are rewarded by the ladyfolks; use your imagination!
Holiday Name:
When is it celebrated?
Who celebrates?
What is done to celebrate?
How old is this holiday?
Has this holiday changed much from its roots?
Where do the festivities take place?
Is there anything it is taboo to do on this holiday?
Do people dress differently for this holiday?
Is any kind of decoration traditional?
Are any colours, symbols, or icons associated with this holiday?
Are any spirits or deities associated with this holiday?
Is it an important/widespread celebration, or a smaller affair?
Are there any foods or drinks associated with this holiday?
Do any natural events coincide with this holiday (ie: an eclipse)?
Only grown men, or boys/babies too?
What part do women/feminine peoples play in this holiday?
Other Creating Holidays Exercises:
Seasons!
Death!
Food!
Protection!
Costumes!
Travel!
Animals!
Time!
Parents!
Invention!
Gifts!
Inebriation!
Superstition!
Religion!
Miracles!
Birthdays!
Manliness!
Games!
The Future!
Purification!
Flowers!
First, come up with a definition of manliness for your culture; what are manly men supposed to look like? What are they supposed to enjoy? What are they supposed to dissociate themselves from? In what ways are they supposed to behave differently from females?
Second, invent a holiday that celebrates manliness! A day for the male gender to celebrate itself, and dedicated to things perceived as being manly, or that men are encouraged to enjoy/participate in. This is a good setup for a coming-of-age ceremony, a test of courage, or other landmark in a boy's growing up. It could be a day when men get pampered, or when they work hard and are rewarded by the ladyfolks; use your imagination!
Holiday Name:
When is it celebrated?
Who celebrates?
What is done to celebrate?
How old is this holiday?
Has this holiday changed much from its roots?
Where do the festivities take place?
Is there anything it is taboo to do on this holiday?
Do people dress differently for this holiday?
Is any kind of decoration traditional?
Are any colours, symbols, or icons associated with this holiday?
Are any spirits or deities associated with this holiday?
Is it an important/widespread celebration, or a smaller affair?
Are there any foods or drinks associated with this holiday?
Do any natural events coincide with this holiday (ie: an eclipse)?
Only grown men, or boys/babies too?
What part do women/feminine peoples play in this holiday?
Other Creating Holidays Exercises:
Seasons!
Death!
Food!
Protection!
Costumes!
Travel!
Animals!
Time!
Parents!
Invention!
Gifts!
Inebriation!
Superstition!
Religion!
Miracles!
Birthdays!
Manliness!
Games!
The Future!
Purification!
Flowers!
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