Rites of passage allow us to acknowledge and mark the transition points in our lives in a meaningful way, and to honour them in a connected and celebratory manner.
Why do we think that there is a need for Rites of Passage in our communities?
The lived experiences of many people is that they were "initiated" through puberty with very little practical advice and no acknowledgement of the importance of changes to tinana/physical health, hinengaro/mental health, wairua/spiritual health and whānau/family and community health. There is a need to provide healthy guidance, skills and acknowledgement for young people at this time while also connecting their whānau.
As adults we also need ongoing support and care regarding our changing roles in our whanau and communities. Rites of passage allow us to acknowledge and mark the transition points in our lives in a meaningful way, and to honour them in a connected and celebratory manner.
Rites of Passage
A Rite of Passage is the marking of a significant symbolic or physical transition within a persons life such as puberty, adulthood, menopause and elderhood.
Rites of passage have been, and continue to be, practiced in many different ways across the world. Within Lifespan, Rites follow the same foundational path:
Separation - Mental and physical separation from daily environment and routine. This allows you to step outside of yourself, break patterns and is the first step towards change in your transition.
Initiation & Transition - facing
Integration & Returning - to your community