Rituals and Rites

New this month from the University of Nebraska Press is Empowerment of North American Indian Girls by Carol A. Markstrom. A developmental psychologist, Markstrom analyzes indigenous anthropological literature and chronicle the coming-of-age rituals for four Native American communities: the Apache, Navajo, Lakota, and Ojibwa. 

For this week’s Tuesday Trivia, we will survey the world from the comfort of our own computers. Donning our anthropological overcoats, we will test our knowledge of female coming-of-age rituals and traditions from various cultures around the globe. See if you can match the country or religion with its tradition.

1. Judaism
2. Africa/Asia/Middle East
3. Roman Catholic
4. Japan
5. Ancient Sparta
6. Hinduism
7. Latin America

A. Quinceañera is a ceremony taking place on a girl’s fifteenth birthday.  It typically takes the form of a large celebration and candle lighting ceremony which will act as a spiritual mark.
B. Manjal Neerattu Vizha is a Tamilion ceremony where the young girl is dressed in a saree and showered with turmeric water. She is then provided information on the course her life will take and what she should and should not do to be successful.
C. Confirmation is inducted at the “age of reason,” or the age in which a young person becomes responsible for their sins.  They become an official member of the church and often a confirmation name (the name of a Saint) is given, used sometimes as a middle name. 
D. Bat Mitzvah occurs on a girl’s 12th birthday and is a large party given to celebrate their adulthood. After the ceremony she can sign contracts, testify in religious courts, and marry if she were to choose.
E. Female circumcision is a controversial ritual where a young girl, commonly between the ages of 4 and 8, will undergo surgery to have her clitoris partially or wholly removed in order to inhibit or stop sexual pleasure, identify virginity, and maintain cleanliness. It has been regarded by the World Health Organization to cause many significant and severe health implications and remains a concern of humanitarian and health officials around the world.
F. Women are kidnapped by their suitor on their wedding night in this historical ceremony. Their heads are shaved and they are dressed in men’s clothing. They are placed alone on a bed of straw to await their husband to procreate only.
G. Genpuku is a historical ceremony performed for both boys and girls in this country. Mogi is the version for females, and is done between the ages of 12 and 14. They are inducted to adulthood by being presented with their first adult clothing.

Visit us tomorrow for the answers!