Rites of passage facts for kids

Rites of passage are special rituals or ceremonies. They happen when a person or a group moves from one stage of life to another. These events show that someone is changing roles or responsibilities.

Every culture around the world has these rites, but they look different depending on the traditions. Rites of passage celebrate and protect the people who are changing. They help people understand new roles and responsibilities in their community. Examples include becoming an adult, moving to a new place, or celebrating a new year.

Who Was Arnold van Gennep?

The idea of rites of passage was made famous by a French scientist named Arnold van Gennep. He lived from 1873 to 1957. In 1909, he wrote a book called Les rites de passage, which means The Rites of Passage.

Van Gennep studied many different cultures from around the world. He noticed that even though the ceremonies were very different, they all followed a similar pattern. He found that rites of passage usually have three main steps.

The Three Steps of Rites of Passage

Arnold van Gennep described three main parts that most rites of passage follow:

• Separation (Leaving the Old): In this first step, a person or group leaves their usual life or old status. They might go to a special place or do something to show they are stepping away from what they were before. It's like saying goodbye to the past.

• Transition (Being In-Between): This is the middle step. The person is no longer in their old role but hasn't fully entered their new one yet. This time can feel a bit uncertain or even challenging. It's a period of learning and preparing for the new stage.

• Incorporation (Joining the New): In the final step, the person or group officially accepts their new status. They rejoin their community with their new role and responsibilities. It's like a welcome back, but now they are different.

Rites of Passage Around the World

Learning about rites of passage in different cultures helps us understand how diverse the world is. It shows us how people celebrate important life changes in unique ways. By seeing these differences, we can learn to be more open-minded and accepting of others. Understanding cultural diversity helps us appreciate people from all backgrounds.

Images for kids

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  A Jewish boy reading a Torah scroll at his Bar Mitzvah, using a Yad.

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  Land diving is a rite of passage for boys on the South Pacific island of Pentecost.

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  A Karajà statuette showing a young initiate.

See also

In Spanish: Rito de paso para niños