Great post, @zest. It made me think about the fact that in some cultures many rituals and ceremonies end up disappearing, for different reasons, and i wonder whether they (and what they signify in the psyche of that culture) can be substituted for other rituals or just get lost.
I'm thinking about cockfights, for instance, and all the issues of masculinity involved. As a child, i witnessed the murder of a man over a bet at a cockfight. The other man used some sort of gauntlet or metal mitten with sharp knuckles. I learned then that that was a very common piece some men wore in case of a fight.

I found it cowardly, and still think it is, but the cocks themselves were somehow upgraded with artificial spurs, so whatever masculinity was at stake was a tricky one, to say the least. one based on artificial strength that, following your dissertation, promoted an artificial sense of power and manhood.

No many people participate in cockfights these days (partly because under our economic crisis they can't afford to raise "warrior" cocks; that's an expensive enterprise). We see lots of men participating in less heroic activities, such as long tiresome lines to get food or cash at banks, and even though they may get a chance to fight their place at the line once in a while, they look more like domesticated chickens, emasculated crowds whose patient and religious attendance to this now ordinary rituals may start meaning many conflicting things for future generations (and i say this with profound sadness as a Venezuelan who suffers the effects of this crisis ).

just a thought.
Thanks for the great post.