Journal 4: rites of passage and marriage

Most individuals pass through distinctive stages. The stages are often designated by a rite

of passage that signifies the transition from one stage of life to the other. The passage is normally

accompanied by rituals which also show that there is a change of status. The rites of passage

recreate an individual to fit into the society and become acceptable. Acceptability and

uprightness are achieved through endurance and shaping character. To achieve this, three

components of the rite process are embraced such as isolation, segregation, and reincorporation.

These three processes transform the social identity. With isolation, the individual becomes

detached from their former status, in segregation the individuals have not yet become attached to

the new status although they have been detached from the old status and finally in the

reincorporation, the individuals have become attached to the new status and consummated it

symbolically. The videos about the rite of passage have shown the rituals involved. In many

ways, the rituals used are normally understood by the participants only and in their own

meanings. In most societies and in agreement with the chapter 9 videos I can ascertain that

marriage remains the most common rite of passage that an individual must pass through. The

concepts of sociology, behavioral roles, and viewing marriage as an institution altogether

contribute to the transition required in this case through rituals that are affiliated with the right of

passage.

Marriage is a complex union that requires sufficient stand of strength, endurance, and

character. The rites of passage adequately prepare an individual for the marriage. The video from

the New Mexico depicts a girl who goes through rites of passage to enable her to build strength,

endurance, and character. In one way or the other, whatever she will learn will be expected

reflect in her marriage in a way that would sustain the marriage. These three features are
important as they prepare girls for womanhood and make them ready to face any challenges that

may present in the marriage.

The rites of passage have existed since time memorial, and every society has its own

method of doing it. Some use pollen grains in the process to symbolize the mark of fertility in

women; others make scars in the body to depict particular animal as is the case with the

crocodile videos, while others eat dogs to have the courage they require to surpass the process of

initiation. Whichever method followed it right to say that all the process still drive us back to the

three components that Gennep (1960) discussed in his book about the rights of passage. That is

separation, segregation, and reincorporation. In all the communities, there are events leading to

separation or isolation. For instance, in the video of crocodile scars, there is a spiritual house

used for the process. In this process, an individual is separated from his/her old status. Afterward

there is a transition that occurs to enhance the change of status and role in the community, and

finally, there is the reincorporation into the community using the new identity acquired.

Basically, the rite of marriage has some form of special weight that comes with it. It is

like being called to a sacred vocation which could not be diminished in any way. Engaging the

cultures marriage rites enhances marriage stability. Nevertheless, it is worth asking questions

such as what really do these rites do? What significance do they have to the participants? And

finally, should the rites just be meant for particular people?

 Reference

Gennep, A. (1960). The rites of passage. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.