Rite of Passage and Rituals

What’s a rite of passage?

What’s a rite of passage?

Why are rituals (and rites of passage) important? “The rituals tell teenagers that it is time to change the way they think and live; it tells the community that the children are now adults, to be treated with equal status and rights.”

2 Examples of Rite of Passage Rituals: Read 2 examples: graduating senior and West African boy, a member of the Dagara tribe Ritual: Any activity or event performed in a set manner Rite of passage: transition from childhood to adulthood Some rituals mark or acknowledge this transition

Some Other Examples… Examples of events: graduation ceremonies, church services, and memorial services Examples of activities: proper attire for an event, how you greet your friends, decorating the Christmas tree, birthday song and party, dinner table setting

Why do we need rituals and rites of passage? Add meaning to our lives Help us to cope and understand Order Help to establish common experiences Strengthen society and community The older generation can be confident in younger generation

Rite of Passage Steps: 1. The Separation- an individual is separated from everyday life and what s/he once knew Individual leaves home, family, and former life—can be forced or by choice “the monster”

Rite of Passage Steps: 2. Initiation/Transformation-an individual’s way of thinking and behaving changes Length of time varies “death” (of dependent self) “reborn” “(as adult) Individual changes emotionally and/or physically to represent internal change

Rite of Passage Steps: 3. The Return- Individual comes back to community as an adult Change is recognized Important to individual and community Uses new knowledge and skills New knowledge and skills are helpful in the future