Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage

Cultural backgrounds dictate the performance of several rituals. These rituals are usually performed at specific places and times, and sometimes, they may depend on gender. An example of a ritual is the rites of passage. They are a sociocultural activity used to represent the transition of an individual or a community from one level to another. Every rite of passage comprises three phases; separation, liminality, and incorporation (Kottak, 2018).

Separation

Separation is the first phase of rites of passage, whereby the individuals set to undergo the passage are withdrawn from society (Kottak, 2018). In some cultures, they are separated into groups, while in other cultures, separation occurs individually.

Examples include priests, nuns, and teenage boys awaiting circumcision. Individuals with a desire to be priests or nuns are withdrawn from society to attend seminaries and monasteries or convents, respectively.

Liminality

Liminality is the second phase of rites of passage. In this phase, the individuals set apart may undergo training as they await their transition from one social status to the next (Kottak, 2018). Activities involved in this stage might also be individual or group action, and the stage is marked symbolically through actions such as body piercing.

Examples include the lives led by priests in seminaries where they are trained in theology and Christian ministries and the lives led by nuns in the monasteries where they live in convents and are trained in religious practices.

Incorporation

Incorporation is the last phase of rites of passage, whereby the individuals reenter society with their new social status or title (Kottak, 2018). Accordingly, they lead their lives as the transitioned individuals that they are.

Examples include the change in attire worn by priests and nuns. Some priests dress in clerical clothing, while some nuns dress in tunics with veils that set them apart in society.

References

Kottak, C. (2018). Mirror for humanity: A concise introduction to cultural anthropology. McGraw Hill.

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Rites of Passage

Rites of Passage

Define rite of passage. Identify three phases that ordinarily constitute a rite of passage. Provide at least two different examples to illustrate your answer

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