Final answer:
Rites and rituals are referred to as ceremonies that signify important events and can aid in cultural transformation. These rituals, which include rites of passage and rites of intensification, play critical roles in both religious and secular contexts by expressing symbolic meanings and fostering community cohesion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rites and rituals are activities and ceremonies used to celebrate important organizational events or achievements, and they can be leveraged in the process of culture change. These performative acts carry out religious beliefs both in public and private and are also known as rites. Rituals are often symbolic, with objects and activities involved meaning more than what they appear to be. For instance, the white color of a wedding dress in the United States symbolizes purity. In non-religious contexts, rites of passage and rites of intensification play a crucial role in marking social transformations and strengthening community bonds. A rite of passage marks a social transformation in people's lives, such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death, and includes stages of separation, transition, and incorporation. A rite of intensification is performed to affirm, strengthen, and maintain solidarity within the group. These rituals incorporate symbols and roles along with routine activities such as gestures, music, and movement, all while bringing together different people and fostering social solidarity. Each performance of a ritual is unique, and various types of rituals serve different purposes within the societies that practice them.