Rites Of Passage :: essays research papers fc

Rites of Passage     When an individual experiences movement, or a change from an affixedposition in connection to another position, that individual can easily tell aparttheir change as a passing game into a new realm of living. A new realm of living isthe way in which the individual and society views, acknowledges, and proceedswith their life. Their changes are monumental not only for the individual, butfor his/her society as well. Many changes take place during the span of apersons life. They become rites of passage and rituals of initiation-which aremore than just simple changes. A plethora of come with these rites and are foundin all corners of the globe. Going on vision quests, by the plains Indians ofNorth America, to circumcision by certain Australian cultures, rites of passagepresent a vast table of religious comparisons(Eliade, p. 287-88).     This essay will examine two rites of initiation, by comparing andcontrasting their impor tance to each culture, and discussing how thatimportance affects that particular individual as well as their society. Finally,the essay will explore possible reasons as to why these initiation rites hold adeep meaning in their respective societies.     The Kurnai of Australia have an initiation rite for the sons of marriedmen in their location villages. Within a section by A. W. Howitt, in Eliadesbook, From Primitives to Zen A thematic Sourcebook of the History of Religions ,a ceremony known as the "Showing the grandad" is described(Eliade, p. 288)In this initiation the Kurnai have a formal way of bringing a mans son into thehighest, and most secret realm of their religion. By incorporating the use ofthe return and son relationship, this particular ritual involves the revelationof the central meaning, or "mystery" of their religion. The men and women areseparated. Secrecy is one the most important traditions in this initiation. Theinitiation is not revealed to the women, or anyone else not of their society.The sons, or "novices" as Howitt calls them, are taught the proper religioustraditions that they need to know for the ceremony, and for the rest of theirlives, as this initiation will decide their step into religious righteousness,and manhood. This all takes place the day before the ceremony, while other men,who have already been through the ceremony, prepare by hunting for fodder andarranging a site, not too far from the village, where the initiation will takeplace. The next morning, a new day at hand, the novices are interpreted to the siteat which time the ceremony commences.