Rite of Passage and Rituals

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Rite of Passage and Rituals
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Whats a rite of passage?
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Whats a rite of passage?
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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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
  lifecan be forced or by choice
• the monster

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Rite of Passage Steps

• 2. Initiation/Transformation-an individuals 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

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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