Customs.... a long story. People around the world follow some or the other customs. Weather they know the logic behind or not. But they do!!! Why? Why do every clan has to follow some or the other ritual repeatedly? Well, when it started, they might have come up with an idea to solve one or the other problem. may be to avoid any animalish thing that do harm to them or activity that gives some sort of energy or to bring benefit to the people of that clan.
After a few generations, of following the same ritual year by year, the ritual become the custom of that clan. Now few clan are intelligent enough to document those rituals and the reason for starting them so that few generations down the line, when people might have a changed, when the environment has undergone some changes, when more of clans had been either mearged or overtaken by power... at that point, the seniors or rulers of the clan/society re-study those customs and do the necessary changes so that the emerging society, the newer generations could be benefitted from the new "customs" and at the same time, they all knew the reasons for following those customs.
Eg. In hindus - why on tuesday, no one eat non-veg, all the saloons and barber shops are closed. Why that day, they have to worship "Lord Hanuman"? Moreover, why do they even have to worship a god, a statue of monkey shape? Why is the name so strong to motivate people in the fearsome situations? A BIG WHY??
And I am pretty sure that the Group of highly intelligent people, who I call a God, must had a reason in their time. Don't ask me, I could not figure out any answer to it yet.
But there are many other 'customs' being followed to which I have answers - like fasting. It gives energy, it helps to clean up one's body, it helps to fight many diseases by increasing your immunity, it helps people to live longer and healtheir.. there are tens of reasons why one should fast. But again, some people are so stupid and follow the customs of fasting even if they are ill, or they need energy for any reason. Whats the use of fasting when you are ill, or when someone in the family died or when there is a new born in the house. At those times, everyone in the family at the home needs a lot of energy to take care of the ill person, or the family members, as the society members keep visiting. And to attend to them, you need a lot of energy which for sure you cannot get by fasting.
In Muslims, during roza period - why do they fast so strict? I guess you have the answer now.
Though I am not aware of customs of other religion, but for one thing I am sure of is - Every custom is based on a reason and the reason did existed at the manufacturing time and they do have an expiry date too.
Another example is of nail cutting. Its advised not to cut your nails in evenings or night and more strictly, not inside of your house. WHY??? What I figured out is - Nails are dead cells and are also dirty. And during cutting them, they might fall here and there. Now if at night when there is no ample light, it gets hard to find the losst nail. And people might step on them and get hurt, moreover get some infection. But today, Every house is well lit to provide ample amount of light to find that lost nail and throw it in wastebin.
Well, the more I write the more items keep popping up in my head.
Another good example of blindly following customs is in marriages. Why do bride and groom circle around the fire 7 times? Why they take those pledges, moreover, does any one remember them after that moment? Every ritual needs an explanation. How and why did dowry came into existence. well, this one I know.
Many customs had already lost their meaning and many are about to. They all need to be changed. So, get to understand the actual meaning of the customs being blindly followed by you and if required, modify or drop them.
As they are very helpful for the betterment of the society.
