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GENERAL DEFINITION: Rites of Passage is a period (or periods) in the Human Development Cycle when young males and females are taught by knowledgeable and respected Elders the science ofmanhood and womanhood, and also learn those values and traditions which are essential to preservin the cultural integrity of a people. OTHER NAMES USED TO DESCRIBE RITES OF PASSAGE: 1. Poro 2.
Initiation 3.
Secret Society |
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ELDER: |
An older and respected person who gives guidance to the youth. |
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RITUAL: |
Symbolic act to recognize or mark a change or transition. |
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PASSAGE: |
An interim process that prepares one to move to another phase in the
Human Development Cycle. |
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LIBATION: |
Pouring of liquid on the ground to give acknowledgment, respect and praise
to our ancestors. |
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ANCESTORS: |
Those who have died and whose spirits continue to give us faith and direction. |
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ETHOS: |
Our collective self-consciousness that personifies our national origin
as a people. |
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INITIATE: |
One who participates in the Rites of Passage. |
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SOCIALIZATION: |
An on-going process in the human Development Cycle that prepares a person
to live within the prescribes values, mores, sanctions and cultural and
historical lineage of his ethnic group. |
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ARCHETYPE: |
A universal symbol which is represented in human ancestral memories -
such as Cosmic Mother, Warrior, etc. |
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RACIAL
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VALUES: |
Beliefs that one hold dear and guides behavior. |
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WORLD VIEW: |
The perspective one has of the world and its people based on their values,
beliefs, culture, etc. |
| SPIRITUALLY:
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The non-material, non-physical essence of each person. * This is basically an Eurocentric term coined by German anthropologist
Arnold van Gennep in his seminal book THE RITES OF PASSAGE. |