Of all the rites of passages I presented on, I was curious, which one seems the most ridiculous to you? If you had to pick one, which would you like to go through? And also, once you've really understood the purpose of reach ridiculous act, does the rite still seem as crazy? or Does it make more sense?
I've added the link below to Google Docs for those of you who would like to read my essay so you can be refreshed on each of the rites.
Thanks!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o-ABm1n1F9llrE0x11chlmTJm2esrc59pDlUSvFMFxA/edit
The very physical nature of these rites of passage certainly seem extreme and unnecessary to me as an American. However, i have a respect for these cultures. I think that there is certainly something lacking in the very symbolic and emotional Western coming of age, something that can only be found in the physical, painful, and very permanent coming of age that other cultures experience. That being said, however, i'm not sure i would be willing to undergo any of the painful rites of passage. The Bungee Jumping rite of the Pentacost Islands seems pretty thrilling to me. There is something exciting, something unknown about being so close to death. In the same way, there is something about attempting to control your own fate that would force a loss of innocence and truly make an impression, truly grow the initiate.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I defintely feel like our scoiety lacks any true "orginal" rite of passage. IN a lot of ways, I think ours are kind of boring and the ceremonies we have are borrowed from other socieites...Which in some ways makes us unique, since we have so many of them (quincineras, bar mitzvahs, first communions, etc). But I wish there was something we could say was truly "American" that didn't invovle compious amounts of eating or drinking.
ReplyDeleteThe extreme rites of passage that you explained in your essay seemed very bizarre and painful to me. I believe the tribes may think of them as the same way, but they also know that it is part of their culture that they must perform these things. Many of the people who will be participating in these extreme rites of passage have been mentally preparing for it from a young age. I agree that some extreme rite of passage would bond us closer as a society,but the very essence of the American culture is individualism. The one that seems the most ridiculous to me would have to be where the male is forced to cut the underside of his penis and let the blood drain over the fire. Although they are doing this to become closer to women, it seems very ridiculous to me. If I had to pick one to undergo I would definitely pick the bungee jumping passage. I have been bungee jumping before and it was very exciting, I know this is far off from bungee jumping because the risk of death is greater, but the element of adrenaline is still present.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the most outrageous to me would have to be cutting the penis and draining the blood over the fire. The bungee jumping comes as a close second though. This just seems like such a lethal way to prove one's self as an adult. While the other rites are very painful it sounds like, they do not usually kill you. The goal being to hit your head on the ground after falling so far sounds terrifying.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to experience one of the rights of passage I think I would prefer one of the woman ones such as the one where they try to drive out the water spirit. While I disagree with the taint they associate with women, the rites sound far less traumatizing.
I see how many of these rites are unifying and are wonderful ways to see the character of a person for a lot of the rites, but I do not think that having everyone go through the same thing works for the way our society is today. While society is obviously important to survive, I love how individualized our rites of passage are and how much variety there is.
The rite of passage that seemed most ridiculous to me was the one I believe it was an Australian tribe where the men (or I suppose boys to men) had to slice their penis from tip to base. That is just too outrageous to me and I don’t even have a penis. I mean obviously I have a very western/American view of coming of age so any of these seem pretty crazy but that one is the craziest. If I had to choose one to go through I would pick isolation. I can see how isolation could very much contribute to a persons coming of age and it seems the least painful. If a person is isolated they have to time to think and reflect on their lives, what they’ve done wrong, what they’ve done right, who is important in their lives, who is artificial. Once again I’m looking through an American lens but isolation I can understand.
ReplyDeleteThe whole slitting the base of the penis is something i would never consider, EVER. It may be the western point of view or the fact that I would never ever harm that region on purpose but I'm just having a really hard time imagining people doing that voluntarily. I think that the whole representing menstruation is a nice ode to females but way too extreme for me. If i had the choice i would go and eat for a couple years and sing some songs to fight the water spirits but since I'm a guy a guess that's not an option. I'd jump of the tower and try to tap my head. I think that's a really courageous thing to do and would give me the most bragging rights without damaging myself physical or emotionally. It's a leap of faith and I bet the adrenaline rush would be awesome. Risk of death>permanent penis damage
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