Rites of PassageRites of Passage

In the Beginning…In the Beginning…

During the early 20th During the early 20th century, the Belgian century, the Belgian anthropologist, Arnold anthropologist, Arnold Van Gennep, observed Van Gennep, observed that all cultures have that all cultures have prescribed ways for an prescribed ways for an individual and society to individual and society to deal with these emotion deal with these emotion charged situations charged situations through rituals. through rituals.

He called them rites of He called them rites of passage.passage.

The Tree of LifeThe Tree of Life

•Imagine the stages of therites of passage as a Tree.Each one of us is in aparticular stage ofdevelopment,somewhere on this Tree.

•Each one of us is in a particular stage of development, somewhere on this Tree.

CONCEPTIONCONCEPTION: The seed is planted, the soil is : The seed is planted, the soil is fertile, the seed dies for the new life to be born.fertile, the seed dies for the new life to be born.

BIRTHBIRTH: Even as its roots stay well within the : Even as its roots stay well within the darkness of the Earth, the tiny plant knows which darkness of the Earth, the tiny plant knows which way to grow. way to grow.

CHILDHOODCHILDHOOD: Its roots grow stronger and deeper. : Its roots grow stronger and deeper.

ADOLESCENCEADOLESCENCE: The tree is vibrant, full of life : The tree is vibrant, full of life and potential, its essence bursting; flower buds and potential, its essence bursting; flower buds appear and begin to open.appear and begin to open.

ADULTHOODADULTHOOD: Pollen is carried by bees and the : Pollen is carried by bees and the wind to fertilize and impregnate new life. The wind to fertilize and impregnate new life. The blossoms begin to develop into fruit.blossoms begin to develop into fruit.

ELDERELDER: The fruit has ripened. There is now an : The fruit has ripened. There is now an abundance of food to nourish and nurture new life.abundance of food to nourish and nurture new life.

DEATHDEATH: It has lived its life. What is left returns to : It has lived its life. What is left returns to the Earth in honor of all she has given. This in turn the Earth in honor of all she has given. This in turn replenishes the soil with nutrients. Death gives new replenishes the soil with nutrients. Death gives new life.life.

A rite of passage, which marks a time A rite of passage, which marks a time when a person reaches a new and when a person reaches a new and significant change in his/her life, is significant change in his/her life, is something that nearly all societies something that nearly all societies recognize and often hold ceremonies for.recognize and often hold ceremonies for.

Most rites of passage fall into Most rites of passage fall into threethree main phases: main phases:

SeparationSeparation TransitionTransition Incorporation.Incorporation.

There are five times in one's life that are often There are five times in one's life that are often considered to be the most significant times of considered to be the most significant times of change:change:

Birth (first rite of Birth (first rite of passage that passage that everyone goes everyone goes through). Naming a through). Naming a child is part of this child is part of this rite. There are many rite. There are many unique customs that unique customs that different cultures different cultures observe when naming observe when naming their children. their children.

Rites of PassageRites of Passage

Leaving childhood Leaving childhood and becoming an and becoming an adolescentadolescent

Leaving home Leaving home

WeddingsWeddings

Death/funeralsDeath/funerals

Rites of Passage incorporate Rites of Passage incorporate are celebrated through…are celebrated through…

Pain/sufferingPain/suffering IsolationIsolation VisionsVisions RoleplayRoleplay

Societies typically hold elaborate ceremonies Societies typically hold elaborate ceremonies each of which is unique to one's own culture.each of which is unique to one's own culture.

In Canada, typical rites of In Canada, typical rites of passage are baptisms, bar passage are baptisms, bar mitzvahs and mitzvahs and confirmations, school confirmations, school graduations, weddings, graduations, weddings, retirement parties, and retirement parties, and funerals.funerals.

Most are religious Most are religious ceremonies as they mark ceremonies as they mark the transition between an the transition between an individual's life stages individual's life stages whilst reinforcing the whilst reinforcing the dominant religious views dominant religious views and values of a culture.and values of a culture.

Baby Smoking in Kimberly, AustraliaBaby Smoking in Kimberly, Australia

Shallow pit filled with Shallow pit filled with Konkerberry tree.Konkerberry tree.

Fire – smoke Fire – smoke symbolises symbolises purification.purification.

Mother gives the child Mother gives the child to grandmother who in to grandmother who in turn passes the child turn passes the child through the smoke through the smoke uttering a blessing.uttering a blessing.

Adolescence (girls)Adolescence (girls)

In Africa and South America, girls are In Africa and South America, girls are secluded at menses and taught by secluded at menses and taught by their elders about womanhood.their elders about womanhood.

When Luiseno girls reach menses, When Luiseno girls reach menses, the whole tribe celebrates.the whole tribe celebrates.

Adolescence (Boys)Adolescence (Boys)

In Borneo, some tribes force young boys to In Borneo, some tribes force young boys to affirm their passage through hunting affirm their passage through hunting alone, fighting and isolation in the alone, fighting and isolation in the wilderness. They believe that this will wilderness. They believe that this will provide great growth potential.provide great growth potential.

In Turkey, boys are circumcised at 7 or 8 In Turkey, boys are circumcised at 7 or 8 so that they remember the time when so that they remember the time when they became a "man". He is paraded they became a "man". He is paraded around on a donkey before sunset, around on a donkey before sunset, wearing white robe and red ribbon. He wearing white robe and red ribbon. He sits on a lavishly decorated bed to receive sits on a lavishly decorated bed to receive gifts and compliments for his bravery.gifts and compliments for his bravery.

Alkira-KiumaAlkira-Kiuma Ceremony or the Tossing Ceremony of the Ceremony or the Tossing Ceremony of the Aranda Tribe (1904).  At age twelve, the boy's first initiation Aranda Tribe (1904).  At age twelve, the boy's first initiation

ceremony, tossed and caught by various male relativesceremony, tossed and caught by various male relatives

CircumcisionCircumcision

In indigenous societies In indigenous societies of Africa and Australia, of Africa and Australia, circumcision and/or circumcision and/or subincision has been subincision has been an integral part of an integral part of such rites. For girls it such rites. For girls it can be clitoridectomy.can be clitoridectomy.

The Massai of Kenya The Massai of Kenya group together for group together for circumcision.circumcision.

AdulthoodAdulthood

While boys do not experience While boys do not experience such clear physiological such clear physiological markers of transition to markers of transition to adulthood as menstruation, adulthood as menstruation, their rites of passage to this their rites of passage to this new status in some cultures new status in some cultures are more severe than for are more severe than for girls.  girls. 

Among the cattle Among the cattle herding Barabaig culture herding Barabaig culture of East Africa, the boys' of East Africa, the boys' heads are shaved and heads are shaved and their foreheads are cut their foreheads are cut with three deep with three deep horizontal incisions that horizontal incisions that go down to the bone and go down to the bone and extend from ear to ear.  extend from ear to ear.  Sometimes, the incisions Sometimes, the incisions are deep enough to are deep enough to show up on the skullsshow up on the skulls..

And now for something And now for something completely different…completely different…

Among the Luiseño Among the Luiseño Indians, boys had to Indians, boys had to undergo severe undergo severe ordeals such as laying ordeals such as laying on red ant mounds on red ant mounds and not crying out and not crying out from pain as they were from pain as they were repeatedly bitten over repeatedly bitten over long periods of time.  long periods of time. 

The Vanatau of Brazil – The Vanatau of Brazil – the original Bungi the original Bungi Jumpers!Jumpers!

AdolescenceAdolescence

Bar Mitzvah – Boys aged 13. they are Bar Mitzvah – Boys aged 13. they are now accountable for their actions. now accountable for their actions. They can now bless and read from the They can now bless and read from the Torah.Torah.

Bat Mitzvah – girls aged 13.Bat Mitzvah – girls aged 13. Bar – SonBar – Son Bat – DaughterBat – Daughter Mitzvah - CommandmentMitzvah - Commandment

Graduation shows how we value Graduation shows how we value education and that adulthood is education and that adulthood is beginningbeginning

Prom – biggest event for many in US Prom – biggest event for many in US and Canadaand Canada

HazingHazing

A Deadly Rite of Passage…..A Deadly Rite of Passage…..

4 students charged in California fraternity hazing death4 students charged in California fraternity hazing death

May 26, 2009 12:50 PM May 26, 2009 12:50 PM

Four Four California California college students face charges stemming from a fraternity hazing that college students face charges stemming from a fraternity hazing that caused the alcohol-induced death of a freshman at caused the alcohol-induced death of a freshman at California Polytechnic State California Polytechnic State UniversityUniversity. Carson Starkey, 18, of Austin, Texas, was found dead in December with a . Carson Starkey, 18, of Austin, Texas, was found dead in December with a blood-alcohol level between 0.39 percent and 0.44 percent. He had to drink a bag full of blood-alcohol level between 0.39 percent and 0.44 percent. He had to drink a bag full of alcoholic drinks as part of the fraternity pledging process, police said. Starkey was alcoholic drinks as part of the fraternity pledging process, police said. Starkey was pledging the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which has since been suspended.pledging the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, which has since been suspended.

ALSO...from ALSO...from The Wilmington News JournalThe Wilmington News Journal: The : The Delaware Delaware Attorney General's office has Attorney General's office has charged charged University of DelawareUniversity of Delaware fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu with hazing in connection fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu with hazing in connection with the death of former student Brett Griffin. The charge comes a week after Griffin's with the death of former student Brett Griffin. The charge comes a week after Griffin's parents, Timothy and Julie Griffin, filed a wrongful death civil suit against that national parents, Timothy and Julie Griffin, filed a wrongful death civil suit against that national chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu.Griffin, 18, died after an off-campus party in November. The chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu.Griffin, 18, died after an off-campus party in November. The civil suit also accuses the fraternity of hazing. It contends that Griffin was pressured into civil suit also accuses the fraternity of hazing. It contends that Griffin was pressured into drinking an excessive amount of Southern Comfort. Fraternity brothers did not call for drinking an excessive amount of Southern Comfort. Fraternity brothers did not call for medical assistance for hours, the suit alleges, but waited until Griffin's lips turned bluemedical assistance for hours, the suit alleges, but waited until Griffin's lips turned blue

AdulthoodAdulthood

Kau women of the Kau women of the Sudan are scarred in Sudan are scarred in three stagesthree stages

1.1. Pubescent: from Pubescent: from naval to breastsnaval to breasts

2.2. Sexual maturity: Sexual maturity: more scars to torso more scars to torso and shouldersand shoulders

3.3. After the weaning of After the weaning of their first child to their first child to back and back of back and back of legs.legs.

MarriageMarriage

In Bali women have In Bali women have their upper teeth their upper teeth (canines and (canines and incisors) filed before incisors) filed before marriage.marriage.

Beastly passions are Beastly passions are reduced.reduced.

If the young girl dies If the young girl dies before marriage, the before marriage, the teeth are filed before teeth are filed before cremation.cremation.

MarriageMarriage

In Burgundy, France a married In Burgundy, France a married couple lead a procession through the couple lead a procession through the town on foot.town on foot.

Victorians were surrounded by Victorians were surrounded by garlands of flowers and ring bearers.garlands of flowers and ring bearers.

Purpose of veil: old girlfriend is Purpose of veil: old girlfriend is replaced by a new person: a wife.replaced by a new person: a wife.

The !Kung in Namibia cannot marry The !Kung in Namibia cannot marry till they have killed an animal.till they have killed an animal.

AdulthoodAdulthood

RetirementRetirement AnniversariesAnniversaries DivorceDivorce

Death and RemembranceDeath and Remembrance

All cultures have a circumscribed period of mourning. During All cultures have a circumscribed period of mourning. During this time, community and family usually provide support.this time, community and family usually provide support.

In Romania – an unmarried woman or man who dies is buried as In Romania – an unmarried woman or man who dies is buried as a bride or groom to prevent that unsatisfied soul from lingering a bride or groom to prevent that unsatisfied soul from lingering on and causing trouble. Called a wedding of the dead. A man on and causing trouble. Called a wedding of the dead. A man in the village acts as the groom taking vows beside the coffin. in the village acts as the groom taking vows beside the coffin. All are dressed appropriately. A small doll is placed in the coffin All are dressed appropriately. A small doll is placed in the coffin to represent the child she will never have.to represent the child she will never have.

Banshee in Ireland – Home wakesBanshee in Ireland – Home wakes The Tiwi of Australia find a new husband for a widow.The Tiwi of Australia find a new husband for a widow. In the village of Quiturara a father forgives his son before dying. In the village of Quiturara a father forgives his son before dying.

An official writes down his last will and testament. An official writes down his last will and testament. In western Society we put flowers and tombstones on the grave.In western Society we put flowers and tombstones on the grave.

MourningMourning

Man with gashed his thigh, during theMan with gashed his thigh, during the Kulungara Kulungara Ceremony, a Ceremony, a mourning ceremony.  Women embracing and wailing after cutting mourning ceremony.  Women embracing and wailing after cutting

their heads during a mourning ceremony.   Warramunga Tribetheir heads during a mourning ceremony.   Warramunga Tribe..

Tattooing and Body ModificationTattooing and Body Modification

Tattooing is one of peoples' oldest art Tattooing is one of peoples' oldest art forms, coming somewhere between forms, coming somewhere between scratching in the dirt and cave painting.scratching in the dirt and cave painting.

Early tattooing was used to symbolize Early tattooing was used to symbolize the fertility of the earth and of the fertility of the earth and of womankind, preservation of life after womankind, preservation of life after death, the sacredness of chieftainship death, the sacredness of chieftainship and other cultural factors.and other cultural factors.

Tattooing as a rite Tattooing as a rite of adulthood. or of adulthood. or passage into passage into puberty is another puberty is another common tattoo common tattoo ritual. ritual. If a boy cannot deal with If a boy cannot deal with

the pain of his puberty the pain of his puberty tattoos, he is considered to tattoos, he is considered to be a bad risk as a warrior, be a bad risk as a warrior, and could become an and could become an outcast.outcast.

The idea is: if a girl cannot The idea is: if a girl cannot take the pain of tattooing, take the pain of tattooing, she is un-marriageable, she is un-marriageable, because she will never be because she will never be able to deal with the pain able to deal with the pain of child birth. of child birth.

Clan TattoosClan Tattoos

Clan markings are Clan markings are another common another common ritual tattoo. Not only ritual tattoo. Not only can you recognize can you recognize your friends quickly, your friends quickly, even in the frenzy of even in the frenzy of battle, but more battle, but more importantly, your importantly, your people are people are connected even connected even beyond death.beyond death.

Marriage TattoosMarriage Tattoos

Family and marriage Family and marriage tattoos are used in tattoos are used in much the same manner much the same manner as clan markings. as clan markings. Marriage tattoos have Marriage tattoos have been particularly been particularly popular, to insure that popular, to insure that you can find your lawful you can find your lawful spouse or spouses in spouse or spouses in the afterlife, even if you the afterlife, even if you have passed through have passed through the veil, many years the veil, many years apart. apart.

In MemoriamIn Memoriam

Modern people still Modern people still tattoo to continue tattoo to continue relationships with relationships with deceased loved ones, deceased loved ones, even if they do it on a even if they do it on a subconcious level. You subconcious level. You can see gravestones can see gravestones with spouses, parents, with spouses, parents, children, and friends children, and friends names on them. All of names on them. All of these are modern these are modern examples of tattooing examples of tattooing to connect the living to connect the living to the dead.  to the dead. 

The people of Borneo, especially the The people of Borneo, especially the Kayans, believe that not only would Kayans, believe that not only would their tattoos get them into the proper their tattoos get them into the proper spirit world, but could also be used spirit world, but could also be used as a further qualification, for as a further qualification, for obtaining certain profitable obtaining certain profitable occupations in the spirit world. occupations in the spirit world. 

Love CharmsLove Charms

Love charms are Love charms are still a much-used still a much-used magical tattoo. A magical tattoo. A girl or boy friend's girl or boy friend's name, with hearts name, with hearts and roses, etc., are and roses, etc., are modern love modern love charms, meant to charms, meant to make the make the relationship endure. relationship endure.

Maori Social StatusMaori Social Status

Some primitive tribes use Some primitive tribes use tattooing as a rite of social tattooing as a rite of social status. The Maori, of New status. The Maori, of New Zealand use tattooing Zealand use tattooing primarily for this purpose. primarily for this purpose.

To the Maori, a person's To the Maori, a person's Moko designs enhanced Moko designs enhanced their prestige and show their prestige and show transition from one social transition from one social status to another. status to another.

At its highest level, Moko At its highest level, Moko designs proclaimed the designs proclaimed the sacredness of chieftanship. sacredness of chieftanship.

Health TattoosHealth Tattoos

Another common Another common practice in practice in tattooing for health tattooing for health was the tattooing of was the tattooing of a god on the a god on the afflicted person, to afflicted person, to fight the illness for fight the illness for them. In India, the them. In India, the Monkey God, Monkey God, Hanuman, is a Hanuman, is a common choice.common choice.

Facial TattoosFacial Tattoos

An offshoot of An offshoot of tattooing for health tattooing for health is tattooing to is tattooing to preserve youth. preserve youth.

Maori girls tattooed Maori girls tattooed their lips and chin, their lips and chin, for this reason.for this reason.

As Luck Would Have It…As Luck Would Have It…

Primitive people Primitive people often got tattooed often got tattooed before an ordeal or before an ordeal or dangerous dangerous enterprise.enterprise.

A man in Burma A man in Burma who desires good who desires good luck will tattoo a luck will tattoo a parrot on his parrot on his shoulder. shoulder.

In the Western WorldIn the Western World

Today, in the West, Today, in the West, you can see dice, you can see dice, spades, and Lady spades, and Lady Luck tattoos, which Luck tattoos, which are worn to bring are worn to bring good luck. good luck.

In the 1970's, American tattooing In the 1970's, American tattooing discovered primitive, tribal tattoos. discovered primitive, tribal tattoos. People wanted simple designs with People wanted simple designs with meaning and they began copying meaning and they began copying designs, primarily from Borneo, designs, primarily from Borneo, Japan, and the islands of the South Japan, and the islands of the South Pacific. Pacific.

SailorsSailors

Sailors were the first to Sailors were the first to return tattooing to Europe. return tattooing to Europe. From the 1600's to the From the 1600's to the Second World War, sailors Second World War, sailors tattooed a chicken on one tattooed a chicken on one foot and a pig on the other, foot and a pig on the other, as a charm against as a charm against drowning. drowning.

With age comes wisdom…?With age comes wisdom…?

The Latest Craze?The Latest Craze?