REFLECTION 7: Rites of Passage

Rites of passage in each culture are performed differently. I think it is a traditional experience that sometimes includes giving and\or sacrificing. This ritual is sometimes used to mark the coming of age of an adult into adulthood, fertility, death and marriage just to name a few. It is important in every culture because it shows the individuals on the outside that a significant stage in that person’s life has just occurred. After reading the articles Mt Kenya, Sitting Quietly and the Sambia I gained a more diverse knowledge on other cultures traditional experience. In the article about the Sambia, it was told how the boys coming of age was done. To me this was extremely shocking because I am not of that culture but after reading I have come to appreciate whatsoever it deals with. Male and female strength and sexual fertility is developed in this culture. In the next article, Mt Kenya, the procedure carried out were mind blogging not just, because they sounded painful but because it was inhumane. During this ritual the females’ clitoris is cut. Finally yet importantly Sitting Quietly. In this article, the individuals were rewarded for their bravery. I actually found it quite interesting and unique. The relationship between rites of passage and formal education is extremely clear. I think that the link between the mentioned is that it shows the development of a child while he/she progresses in school. For example, the child goes from kindergarten to elementary to middle school on to high school. It is like a baby growing into an adult. Each phase is a big milestone for both parents and children. Therefore, I think that rites of passage influence the formal education in some way or another. In conclusion, it is safe to say that the world is widely influenced by culture and rituals, which gives the people a different outlook at life causing them to be well rounded.