Coming of age is a term used to describe the transition between childhood and adulthood. For some cultures, coming of age is determined when a child reaches a certain birthday and is no longer considered a minor; 13, 15, 16, 18, and 21 are commonly thought of as significant ages for young adults. However, many cultures and religions have their own sacred rites or celebrations that mark this important period in an adolescent’s life. Here are some examples of coming of age ceremonies across different cultures.
I. History of Guan Li and Ji Li Ceremonies in China
The Guan Li and Ji Li ceremonies have ancient origins in China, predating the Qin era. Both the Guan Li and Ji Li ceremonies hold significant symbolic meaning for the Han Chinese. These ceremonies are part of the "four rites" in Confucianism, alongside marriage, mourning rites, and sacrificial rituals.
References to these ceremonies can be found in philosophical texts from the Zhou dynasty and Warring States period, such as the Analects of Confucius and writings by Mencius. The Guan Li ceremony is mentioned in the Han Shu as well.
Originally, both ceremonies were practiced across social classes, but the affluent were more likely to hold them. In the 20th century, the ceremonies declined but have recently experienced a resurgence, particularly among those interested in Confucian traditions and hanfu.
1) Ji Li Ceremony: Transition to Adulthood for Chinese Women
Coming of age of Chinese girl/ via Wikimedia Commons
Ji Li, also known as the hairpin ceremony, symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood for Chinese women. It involves the use of a ji, a traditional Chinese hairpin
After the Ji Li ceremony, a woman is considered an adult and eligible for marriage. Historically, the Ji Li ceremony could be performed by individuals of any social class, but the wealthy were more likely to hold it. It usually takes place when a girl turns 15, regardless of engagement or marriage status. If a girl remained unmarried by the age of 20, the ceremony needed to be performed again.
2) Guan Li Ceremony: Confucian Coming of Age Ritual for Men
Ming Dynasty Han crown ceremony/ via Wikimedia Commons
The Guan Li ceremony, also known as the "capping" ceremony. After the Guan Li ceremony, a man is considered an adult with adult responsibilities and rights. This includes becoming the family heir, getting married, inheriting a business, and participating in society.
The Guan Li ceremony typically takes place when a man reaches 20 years old.
3) Location and Organization of the Ceremonies
The Guan Li and Ji Li ceremonies occur in the young person's ancestral temple. The date of the ceremony is chosen carefully for its auspiciousness. The ceremony is organized by a respected senior relative of the young person. If the boy is the son of the proper wife, the ceremony can also be conducted at the eastern stairs, symbolizing his position in the family's succession line.
Annual Guan Li ceremonies have been held at Wenmiao in Taiyuan, Shanxi since 2010.
The coming-of-age ceremony in China
II. Navajo Coming of Age Ceremony
1. Navajo Coming of Age Ceremony For Girls
Kinaaldá is the coming of age ceremony for Navajo women, symbolizing their maturation and growth. It takes place following a girl's first menstrual period and finds its roots in the ancient legend of Changing Woman, a revered Holy Person in Navajo culture. As Changing Woman's body transformed to prepare for childbirth, the other Holy People commemorated this milestone by celebrating the inaugural Kinaaldá. First Woman, a deity, sculpted Changing Woman's form into that of a woman, who then baked a cake made from ground corn and offered the first piece to the sun, the most powerful Holy Person. Changing Woman conducted four ceremonies, corresponding to her first four menstrual cycles, two for herself and two for all future Navajo women.
In contemporary times, the Kinaaldá ceremony extends over four days to symbolize the four seasons and the sacred mountains at the Four Corners of the Navajo homeland. During the initial night, the young woman remains awake, her legs stretched out before her, while male family members recite prayers. The following morning, she bathes and adorns herself in a dress fashioned from traditional Navajo rugs, complemented by jewelry crafted from shells and turquoise. Her mother intricately styles her hair in a particular knot and fastens it with deerskin strings called tsklólh. Subsequently, she reclines on a blanket in front of the hogán, with her head facing the doorway. At this point, a female relative such as a sister or aunt, or a male relative other than her father, symbolically molds her.
Watch this video for more ceremony activities
2. Navajo Coming of Age Ceremony For Boys
Wally Brown, a Navajo historian, imparts knowledge about the Navajo boys' coming of age ceremony and the four distinct archetypes of men that every boy become.
III. Land Divers, Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, a captivating island nation in the South Pacific, an extraordinary coming of age ritual awaits bungee enthusiasts. Young boys undergo a daring initiation by leaping off a towering structure, approximately 98 feet high, with a vine tied to their ankles resembling a bungee cord. However, there's a crucial distinction—the vine lacks elasticity, amplifying the risk of injury or even death if the vine's length is miscalculated.
Typically commencing at the age of 7 or 8, boys begin their jumping journey from a shorter tower. During their initial jumps, their mothers hold an object symbolizing their childhood, which is discarded after the leap, signifying the end of their youthful phase. As they grow older, boys progressively ascend taller towers, showcasing their courage to the gathered spectators.
Land Divers - National Geographic
This distinctive rite serves not only as a pivotal milestone for young men but also as a significant ceremony preceding the yam harvest.
Clad solely in their nambas, traditional penis sheaths, the jumpers adorn their ankles with carefully selected tree vines, known as lianas. Plummeting towards the ground earth, these men can reach astonishing speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (75 kilometers per hour). Unencumbered by safety equipment, they rely solely on their bravery and the vine's limited elasticity. Remarkably, there are no airbags, cushions, or any means to cushion their fall at the bottom. Instead, the soil awaits, and the men must touch it with their shoulders, symbolizing their daring feat.
Check out the video for more coming of age ceremonies around the world