3 stages in a rite of passage – participant is a “neophyte”
1. Separation – lose identity
- clean, dress differently (or go naked), new place entered in special way, symbolic death of
old person, destroy something symbolic
2. Transition – change – “liminal period” – threshold between two stages
sing, dancing in unison, symbolic actions and objects like flowers, candles, fire, sacred
objects (traditional), inculcate values (faithfulness,…), physical challenge (carry casket, dig hole…), change physiology by fasting, not sleeping, dancing all night, etc. , in cave/womb –await re-birth, something to be created, new knowledge
3. Incorporation – recognition of new identity
- sign legal papers, cleansing, feast, party, speeches recognizing new (and humiliating a bit),
mark the change: new clothes, hair, tattoo).
Choose a "rite of passage" from our culture and research its process in both our culture and other ones.
For example: Look up wedding procedures in Canadian culture, Japanese, and Indian Culture. This process of understanding the qualities of a rite of passage will help you for an upcoming assignment.