Reflection 6

Rites of passage are used to mark the entering into a new life stage. These Rites are important because they are clear indicators that one has entered a certain status. Without them people would be lost quite frankly. Funerals for example mark the fact that someone is dead; people greave at these gatherings. They kind of make things official and give the loved-ones of the deceased structure. Facing Mt. Kenya was about clitoridectomy and honestly it made me kind of sick. The thought of female circumcision is so un-American and was hard for my American eyes to take in. Yet and still I believe if that’s what the Gikuyu people want to do then they should be allowed to do just that. Just because it sounds strange and weird to me doesn’t mean I or anyone else for that matter should stop them and outlaw their practice. I’ve been raised in a society where female circumcision is absurd so I wouldn’t dream of doing it; but for someone who was raised as that being not only normal but a necessary part of growing up I’m sure they’re super excited to partake in the ceremonies that surround it. The Sambia was an equally difficult read for me, an American girl. It’s interesting to see how people have their different rites of passage in various cultures. I think it’s important not to look at what’s being done and instead to look at why it’s being done. The rituals and rites of society mean a lot to the people who partake in them. When you start trying to apply your logic to something that’s out of your box of course it’s going to look strange and possibly disgusting. In Western Culture we’re told that males like females and vice-versa so when something breaks that mold its very tempting to say “that’s wrong.” But to label it as such would be socially and culturally intolerant. The rites of passage are used to teach young boys and girls things and skills that they will need as adults which is very similar to formal education. When people complete the passage they feel a sense of accomplishment, the same way someone would feel after completing high school and participating in a graduation ceremony.