day after their birth. Ewe females have their ears
pierced on that day.
Puberty: InitiationAs children mature physically and therefore sexu-
ally, a special puberty rite of passage, initiation, is
meant to help them move smoothly from child-
hood into adulthood. The purpose of initiation is,
above all, educational. Through initiation, young
adults further learn about the traditions and
expectations of their community and will there-
fore be able to contribute to the maintenance of
social order. They must die to their child self in
order to be reborn into an adult self, one charac-
terized by greater knowledge of the world, deeper
consciousness, insight, and wisdom. The notions
of symbolic death and resurrection are central to
the initiation process. Also, those undergoing ini-
tiation must take a vow of secrecy. Initiation rites
vary from community to community. However,
they follow a general pattern. The first step is the
separation of a group of adolescent novices from
their usual surroundings to be secluded in an
isolated place away from the community. There,
they will be tested and taught by elders. The
testing usually involves demonstrating physical
endurance, mental strength, and intelligence. It is
often the time when males are circumcised and
females excised. They must undergo the whole
operation without showing any sign of fear and
without expressing any discomfort. Failure to
demonstrate fortitude would bring shame and
dishonor to them and their family.
After the period of seclusion is over, the initi-
ates are reincorporated into their community, and
this marks the time of their rebirth. Their hair
may be shaved off, their old clothes may be
thrown away, and they may receive new names,
all symbolic gestures indicating that they have
become new, mature individuals. The reunion of
new initiates with their family and community is a
collective festive time. All rejoice now that the
new initiates are ready to assume their new place
in the community.
One of the responsibilities and prerogatives
associated with the completion of initiation is
marriage. Initiation, in fact, prepares the young
adults for marriage. Indeed, in most African societies,
one can get married only after having been initi-
ated. This is often the time that young people
receive information and instruction regarding
marriage, sex, family life, and procreation.
Among the Maasai, for instance, the Eunoto
ceremony, which lasts for a whole week, is the rite
of passage that marks the transition from child-
hood into adulthood for the males. It is an elabo-
rate ceremony that marks the end of a relatively
carefree life and the beginning of greater responsi-
bilities. The initiates are then expected to watch
over the community’s cattle (which are highly
regarded as God’s unique gift to the Maasai), par-
ticipate in cattle raids, and kill a lion with their
bare hands. At the end of the Eunoto ceremony,
the young men’s hair is shaved, thus formally indi-
cating the passage to manhood. In addition to
having their hair shaved, they also have their skin
painted with ochre in preparation for marriage.
They may then marry and start families.Marriage
Marriage is widely acknowledged throughout the
African continent as one of the most critical
moments in a person’s life. This is the case
because marriage is intimately linked with pro-
creation. In fact, the main, if not only, purpose of
marriage is procreation. In most African societies,
marriage is not deemed complete until a child has
been born. Likewise, a man is not a full man or a
woman a full woman until they have given birth
to a child.
Marriage creates the context within which
children are conceived and born, hence its critical
significance. Getting married and having children
is a social, moral, and, ultimately, spiritual obli-
gation and privilege. Likewise, one’s refusal or
failure to get married and have children is largely
incomprehensible and certainly quite reprehensi-
ble as far as African religion is concerned.
Marriage, from the standpoint of African religion,
is never simply an affair between a man and a
woman, but an event that involves at least two fami-
lies. African families are normally quite large because
they include several subunits. The whole community
has a stake in the marriage and will be involved.
Because marriage is a most serious affair, young
men and women are thoroughly prepared for572 Rites of Passage