Coming of age rituals in various religions

SMALL SOCIETY – Aboriginal Australia
There is no set or prescribed way of initiating adolescents into adulthood throughout the whole of Aboriginal Australia, as the beliefs and rituals of different groups vary greatly. However, some aspects of the initiation rituals can be seen in almost all groups all over the country. I will examine these aspects later on. The way in which a particular tribe or clan celebrate the coming of age is consistent as the elders ensure that the tradition is passed down. It is important to realise that initiation into an aboriginal society is considered to signify the beginning of an on going education in the ways of the group.
Boys Initiation is imperative for the transition from boyhood to manhood. It allows the boy to be “reborn” into a more complete life as an adult. This is achieved in a number of ways, but most involve spilling of blood of some kind as it is considered to be purifying and to signify the beginning of a “new era”. This sp...