Examples Of Rites Of Passage
Everyone has had some form of rite of passage experience, since, a rite of passage is the link towards a person's new stage in life, for example; adolescence to adulthood. Rites of passage is, " ceremonies such as christenings, puberty rituals, marriages, and funerals, which we hold whenever a member of society undergoes an important change in status within the lifecycle of the group" (Crapo, 2013, Ch. 6, Sec. 6.4). Ceremonies such as coming of age, marriages, and birth of a child are all universal rites of passages. Although, these ceremonies are a worldwide phenomenon, they are all celebrated in different ways, many of these celebrations are extravagant, while others are very simple. Among them are Japanese and Apache cultures who's history
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has just as much of an impact on its culture as it rites of passage ceremonies, these two cultures share a sibling rites of passage ritual, as well as similar historical events. Firstly, Japan's origin is rather perplexing. "Human occupancy of Japan dated to only about 4000 B.C." (Varley, 2000). Japan itself is a archipelago, it has four main islands, they are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan history actually began in A.D. 400, when the Yamato inhabited in Kyoto, and gained control of many other families in both Western and Central Japan. Sometime after this Buddhism was introduced into Japan, during that time Buddhism has been in existent for at least 1000 years. Buddhism was introduced into Japan when they became in contact with Korea. Throughout the 700s Japan was mainly influenced by China, and China's impact was so great that the Yamato clan created an sovereign court system indistinguishable to China's practice, "Japanese feudalism was based upon a lineage system compromised of groups of clans" (McGill, 2009). This court system continued to thrive for many centuries after it was established. Furthermore, Japan rather quickly transformed their culture from medieval era towards a better modern competence. To do this royal armies were instituted, along with a democratic government. Japan became involved in many wars, for instance, Japan and China were at war from 1894-1895. Then in 1904-1905 Japan was at war with Russia, which Japan emerged victorious. Japan was also part of the unforgettable gruesome war of World War I. Throughout all of these years Japan has stayed true to many rites of passage rituals. For example, the coming of age tradition in Japan has been celebrated for over 1000, with just a minor changes to adhere to the modern civilization. It started when a prince dressed in his finest clothing which was a traditional robe at the time to represent his coming of age or rite of passage into adulthood. Today during April 1st of every year, those whom are turning twenty years of age participate in the country's national coming of age holiday. Next, the beginning of the Apache culture, has a more majestic birthplace, with stories about monsters and beast, as human transitioned into the now known Apache.
But, Apache Indians originated from Alaska, Canada, and some area in Southwest in America. "The Apache belongs to the Athapascan family, the most widely scattered of all North American Indian linguistic families" (Lockwood, 1938). Apaches are known for being nomadic, in other words, the Apaches never settled in one place for very long. In the 1700s , the Apaches migrated to Kansas. Kansas provided the Apache with new terrains, which were the Kansas plains. Because the Apache were not accustom to this new surrounding they had to learn how to farm. They survived with a small portion of crops, such as, watermelon, beans, as well as corn. The Apache Indians just like the Japanese culture were in many wars, one of their first was with Comanche tribe of which they lost. After this war, the Apache were forced to move to other areas, like Arizona and New Mexico. Later on around 1730, a devastating war between the Spaniards and the Apache occurred. This was not the last war that the Apache would be involved in, this led to just there being only a few thousand Apache Indians recorded being in New
Mexico. Through all of this, the Apache's deep traditions have not changed, this includes many rite of passage ceremonies; for example the Apache coming of age ceremonies. " Apache maidens will celebrate their coming of age during the Annual Mescalero Apache Tribal Ceremonial & Rodeo that runs Thursday through Sunday" (Stallings, 2014). The coming of age ceremony is one of the most important traditions in many Apache tribes. Many details go into creating the these extravagant rituals. Unlike the Japanese culture, the Apache do not involve any modern traditions in their ceremony, everything about the Apache coming of age rituals remains the same. Finally, Japan's coming of age ceremony also called Seijin-no-Hi is, a national holiday in Japan to celebrate the coming of age of those who reach the legal age to vote, which is their 20th birthday. During this national holiday the 20 year olds dress in Japan's traditional apparel, they then attend a ceremony within the local city offices, and receive gifts while they celebrate their new stage of life with family members and friends. This rite of passage in Japan has been a custom for over 1200 years, it not only marks a new stage in life, this also shows that they are mature enough now to contribute to society. While the Apache coming of age ceremony takes place when a young Apache maiden reaches the age of 12 to 14. But, just like the Japanese coming of age ceremony the Apache maidens wear traditional clothing. Many traditional events takes during this rite of passage, which include, " A ceremonial blessing occurs first by the godmothers to the girls and then the girls to the godmothers" (Stallings, 2014). Unlike the Japanese rite of passage ritual that only last one day, the Apache ceremonies last four days. The Japanese and Apache coming of age ceremonies differ also, in the amount of time it takes to prepare each ceremony. In Japan one could sometimes take from a week to just a few days to prepare prior to the Seijin-no-Hi ceremony. While an Apache coming of age ritual take months to prepare, and its put together by the individuals that is coming of age's family, not by the government like the Japanese coming of age celebration. Although both rituals have many differences, they also have multiple similarities. For example, both celebration has the individual's that are coming of age family member present. They dress up in their cultures traditional attire, and listen to their elders tell stories. While the Apache hold many more traditional ceremonies during their coming of age ceremonies than the Japanese. In Japan, one of their sacred tradition is, always perform at the Meiji Shrine, that is called Momote Shiki, which is said to keep away evil. On the other hand, the Apache have four rituals, one for each day of the ceremony; the ritual takes four days because it symbolize the amount of time the ancestral Apaches believed it took to create the world. In conclusion, Rite of passage is a big part of many cultures around the world, and those cultures history play a big part in how those traditions are preformed. Many rite of passage events are similar, but, not at first glance. These events mark the new stage in life we as human beings have recently embarked upon. As times change many rite of passage traditions change as well, but, culture such as the Apache and Japanese have kept many of their ceremonial traditions. Many sacred events take place during both of these cultures coming of age celebrations. Coming of age ceremonies are not only to show how one is getting older and times are changing, they also symbolize time being spent with loved one during these changes, which shows that they are not alone as these individual take on a new milestone in their lives.
has just as much of an impact on its culture as it rites of passage ceremonies, these two cultures share a sibling rites of passage ritual, as well as similar historical events. Firstly, Japan's origin is rather perplexing. "Human occupancy of Japan dated to only about 4000 B.C." (Varley, 2000). Japan itself is a archipelago, it has four main islands, they are Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Japan history actually began in A.D. 400, when the Yamato inhabited in Kyoto, and gained control of many other families in both Western and Central Japan. Sometime after this Buddhism was introduced into Japan, during that time Buddhism has been in existent for at least 1000 years. Buddhism was introduced into Japan when they became in contact with Korea. Throughout the 700s Japan was mainly influenced by China, and China's impact was so great that the Yamato clan created an sovereign court system indistinguishable to China's practice, "Japanese feudalism was based upon a lineage system compromised of groups of clans" (McGill, 2009). This court system continued to thrive for many centuries after it was established. Furthermore, Japan rather quickly transformed their culture from medieval era towards a better modern competence. To do this royal armies were instituted, along with a democratic government. Japan became involved in many wars, for instance, Japan and China were at war from 1894-1895. Then in 1904-1905 Japan was at war with Russia, which Japan emerged victorious. Japan was also part of the unforgettable gruesome war of World War I. Throughout all of these years Japan has stayed true to many rites of passage rituals. For example, the coming of age tradition in Japan has been celebrated for over 1000, with just a minor changes to adhere to the modern civilization. It started when a prince dressed in his finest clothing which was a traditional robe at the time to represent his coming of age or rite of passage into adulthood. Today during April 1st of every year, those whom are turning twenty years of age participate in the country's national coming of age holiday. Next, the beginning of the Apache culture, has a more majestic birthplace, with stories about monsters and beast, as human transitioned into the now known Apache.
But, Apache Indians originated from Alaska, Canada, and some area in Southwest in America. "The Apache belongs to the Athapascan family, the most widely scattered of all North American Indian linguistic families" (Lockwood, 1938). Apaches are known for being nomadic, in other words, the Apaches never settled in one place for very long. In the 1700s , the Apaches migrated to Kansas. Kansas provided the Apache with new terrains, which were the Kansas plains. Because the Apache were not accustom to this new surrounding they had to learn how to farm. They survived with a small portion of crops, such as, watermelon, beans, as well as corn. The Apache Indians just like the Japanese culture were in many wars, one of their first was with Comanche tribe of which they lost. After this war, the Apache were forced to move to other areas, like Arizona and New Mexico. Later on around 1730, a devastating war between the Spaniards and the Apache occurred. This was not the last war that the Apache would be involved in, this led to just there being only a few thousand Apache Indians recorded being in New
Mexico. Through all of this, the Apache's deep traditions have not changed, this includes many rite of passage ceremonies; for example the Apache coming of age ceremonies. " Apache maidens will celebrate their coming of age during the Annual Mescalero Apache Tribal Ceremonial & Rodeo that runs Thursday through Sunday" (Stallings, 2014). The coming of age ceremony is one of the most important traditions in many Apache tribes. Many details go into creating the these extravagant rituals. Unlike the Japanese culture, the Apache do not involve any modern traditions in their ceremony, everything about the Apache coming of age rituals remains the same. Finally, Japan's coming of age ceremony also called Seijin-no-Hi is, a national holiday in Japan to celebrate the coming of age of those who reach the legal age to vote, which is their 20th birthday. During this national holiday the 20 year olds dress in Japan's traditional apparel, they then attend a ceremony within the local city offices, and receive gifts while they celebrate their new stage of life with family members and friends. This rite of passage in Japan has been a custom for over 1200 years, it not only marks a new stage in life, this also shows that they are mature enough now to contribute to society. While the Apache coming of age ceremony takes place when a young Apache maiden reaches the age of 12 to 14. But, just like the Japanese coming of age ceremony the Apache maidens wear traditional clothing. Many traditional events takes during this rite of passage, which include, " A ceremonial blessing occurs first by the godmothers to the girls and then the girls to the godmothers" (Stallings, 2014). Unlike the Japanese rite of passage ritual that only last one day, the Apache ceremonies last four days. The Japanese and Apache coming of age ceremonies differ also, in the amount of time it takes to prepare each ceremony. In Japan one could sometimes take from a week to just a few days to prepare prior to the Seijin-no-Hi ceremony. While an Apache coming of age ritual take months to prepare, and its put together by the individuals that is coming of age's family, not by the government like the Japanese coming of age celebration. Although both rituals have many differences, they also have multiple similarities. For example, both celebration has the individual's that are coming of age family member present. They dress up in their cultures traditional attire, and listen to their elders tell stories. While the Apache hold many more traditional ceremonies during their coming of age ceremonies than the Japanese. In Japan, one of their sacred tradition is, always perform at the Meiji Shrine, that is called Momote Shiki, which is said to keep away evil. On the other hand, the Apache have four rituals, one for each day of the ceremony; the ritual takes four days because it symbolize the amount of time the ancestral Apaches believed it took to create the world. In conclusion, Rite of passage is a big part of many cultures around the world, and those cultures history play a big part in how those traditions are preformed. Many rite of passage events are similar, but, not at first glance. These events mark the new stage in life we as human beings have recently embarked upon. As times change many rite of passage traditions change as well, but, culture such as the Apache and Japanese have kept many of their ceremonial traditions. Many sacred events take place during both of these cultures coming of age celebrations. Coming of age ceremonies are not only to show how one is getting older and times are changing, they also symbolize time being spent with loved one during these changes, which shows that they are not alone as these individual take on a new milestone in their lives.