Some Questions in Observing Religious Rituals

Describe the ritual spaces. What is the layout? Are different spaces clearly defined or are they integrated?

Who performs the ritual? Who does what? Are performers marked off from participants and/or audiences?

Where do performers stand? sit? relationship to participants/audience?

Do performers speak? chant? sing? When and why?

What is the structure of the ritual?

What kinds of furniture and decorations are present? Are they just decorations or do they have ritual significance?

Do the performers practice ritualized body movement? When? What are they? Why?