Final answer:
The early rituals and celebrations in various civilizations were often led by a religious practitioner like a priest, prophet, or shaman, responsible for mediating between the real and spiritual worlds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early dramas and rituals often provided the impetus for many early celebrations, with these religious and celebratory activities frequently being presided over by a figure that acted as an intermediary between the mortal realm and the spiritual or divine worlds. This role was often filled by a religious practitioner such as a priest, shaman, or prophet, whose responsibilities might include overseeing the complex details of rituals, maintaining the sacred knowledge, and interfacing with the spiritual in order to benefit the community. Notable examples of such figures in early civilizations include the temple staff in ancient societies who cared for the gods’ statues and participated in festivals, as well as those who led worship of the mother goddess in early farming societies.