Definition
A ritual that accompanies a change in status, age, responsibility or membership in a community.
Birth, majority, marriage, ordination, mourning or new responsibility may be ritualized. Forms of initiation must be assessed according to consent, age and security.
To be retained
- Clarify the meaning and steps
- Ensuring consent and security
- Provide for integration after the rite
- Respect the right to refuse
Origin of the term and context
The expression was systematized by Arnold van Gennep, who described separation, margin and aggregation. Victor Turner then developed the notion of "liminality".
Why does it matter?
A rite can give social recognition to a transition, but the group must not use tradition to impose humiliation, violence, dangerous secrecy or forced breakup.
- Clarify the meaning and steps
- Ensuring consent and security
- Provide for integration after the rite
- Respect the right to refuse
How can it be explored or practised?
- Create a sober ceremony for a personal transition
- Invite only the desired people
- Name commitments after passage
- Avoid copying a closed cultural initiation
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Tradition does not justify violence.
- A minor cannot consent as an adult.
- Secrets must never prevent you from asking for help.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Anthropology: separation, threshold and reintegration.
- Religions: sacraments, initiations and changes in status.
- Lay approaches: civil or family ceremonies.
To go further
- The rites of passage — Arnold van Gennep
- The Ritual Process — Victor Turner