RITUAL

[noun] - a set of fixed actions and sometimes words performed regularly, esp. as part of a ceremonyMy father is in the kitchen conducting his morning ritual - reading the newspaper and sipping his coffee. [C]Football players have a ritual of touching and hugging each other after a goal. [C]The birds were performing a mating ritual. [C]In traditional societies the ties between people were formed by symbol, myth and religious ritual. [U]The group were accused of ritual abuse/murder (= as part of a ceremony).