Creating Your Own Ceremony
Your family or community might not supply a ceremony or rite of passage for your journey into womanhood. This doesn't mean you can't have one; it just means you'll need to create your own! You can get help from women or girls in your community, read books on women's rites of passage, research your own cultural traditions, and design a rite that reflects your own journey.
- Choose a significant event or time for your ceremony: the day you get your first period, the day you get your braces off, a particular birthday, a trip to a new place, or another important event.
- Find a safe place where you can concentrate on your ceremony without being interrupted by the everyday world. You might decorate the space to make it unique for your ceremony. Rites of passage often have some connection to nature and the environment or to spiritual spaces.
- Invite important people like a female role model or supportive male to take part in this event. You might pick specific tasks for them or ask them how they would like to symbolize their support for you.
- Prepare your body and mind for the ceremony. Many rites of passage involve ritual washing, clothing, and special hair styles. You might also clean your space with incense, oil, or candles. Meditating or fasting* might also help you prepare for your change.
- Pick a challenge for yourself. Growing up means learning to survive in the adult world. What would you like to learn or accomplish as a sign for your growth? What skills or talents would you like to celebrate? Be sure to pick something that you can realistically accomplish, even if you need special support or training from an expert.
- Select objects of beauty or power that represent characteristics of your life. You might pick a new name, a ring, a tool, a mask, a piece of clothing, or any other symbolic item.
- Plan a way to express your joy in your new stage of life. Provide music, dancing, games, or other ways to revel and play.
- Announce your return to your community. If this is a rite of passage, how might you announce that you have a new identity? If this is an initiation ceremony, give your community members an opportunity to welcome you and congratulate you. Discuss with them how you might behave differently or be ready for new responsibilities in your world.
*Fasting: going without food or without certain foods for a specific amount of time
Find the Right Rite
Girls all over the world are welcomed into womanhood every day. Take our quiz and find out how much you really know about the different cultural traditions you read about.
| Characteristics | Culture |
| 1. Symbols of adulthood: tiara, shoes, ring, and rosary. |
A. African American |
| 2. Solving a riddle and getting a new name. |
B. Japanese Sejin Shiki |
| 3. Studying traditions from their homeland. |
C. Jewish Bat Mitzvah |
| 4. Listen to speeches and receive gifts of money. |
D. Latina Quinceañera |
| 5. Demonstrate knowledge by reading holy book. |
E. Moslem H 'jab |
| 6. Receive massage and run each day. |
F. Navajo Kinaalda |
| 7. Begin to wear special clothing and pray |
G. Pagan |
See Page 3 for Answer Key
 Courtesy of Women Make Movies (wmm.com)
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org
www.islam101.com
www.religioustolerance.org
Kinaalda, Navajo Rite of Passage;
Quinceañera: The Essential Guide to Planning the Perfect Sweet Fifteen Celebration.
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Have you gone through a coming-of-age ritual? How did it make you feel?
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Words to Know
Rite of Passage: A ritual or ceremony that represents a person's transition from one stage into a new one; for example, from childhood into adolescence.
Initiation: A ceremony that welcomes a person into a new group/community.
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