Rituals of Life
On initiation rituals and practices in connection with entering new stages of life
People pass through various social stages in their lives. The transitions between these stages are often characterised
by religious beliefs and associated actions that are performed on the individual body. In many societies, the transition between certain stages is accompanied by rituals of formal acceptance – known as "initiation" – into the new stage of life. Initiation processes or rituals exist worldwide in different societies and eras.
There are many religious initiation rituals. As a Christian, for example, you are baptised, as this is how you are accepted into the circle of Christianity. In many societies, circumcision, tattooing, branding or shaving hair are elements of initiation rituals. In some societies there are also secret initiation rituals. One example is the Freemasons, whose initiation ritual is initially secret even for candidates. But there are also other initiations that you only go through in the course of your life. These include, for example, the first communion in Catholicism or the pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam.
The result of every initiation – whether socially and/or religiously characterised – is a change in the social status of the individual. It is often at least temporarily separated from the previous social environment and surroundings (e.g. when leaving school). Initiation processes promote the cohesion of a (religious) society and give the individual a sense of belonging. Modern forms of initiation also retain some of the functions that underlie these rituals in all societies: the creation of identity, integration into social groups and the emphasising of shared values.
