COMING OF AGE TRADITIONS

FESTA DE MOCAS NUEVAS

Young girls of the Ticuna tribe in the northwest Amazon are placed in

small, isolated chambers for several months during which they are

believed to go to the underworld. When they return they are

officially a woman.

SWEET 16

Although we realize internet penetration rates in most developing

countries are relatively low, just in case you happen to be an

African tribesman or Amazonian warrior checking in on your satellite

phone allow us to introduce you to a peculiarity of western culture,

The Sweet 16. No blood, no pain, no near death experiences.

Sounds pretty tame right? Yea, we agree, so back to the insane stuff.

ENEMY SACRIFICES

Aztec boys would not become men until they capture a prisoner and

brought him back to be sacrificed.

MANDAN OKIPA CEREMONY

Young Mandan boys had to fast for four days without sleeping. They

were then hung from the ceiling by hooks that pierced their skin.

During the entire process they had to smile until they passed out.

When they woke up their pinky fingers were chopped off and

only then did they become men.

FEMALE INFIBULATION

Practiced in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East the labia and

clitoris are typically removed. A small hole is then poked through the

scarring to allow for menstruation and urine.

MARDUDJARA CIRCUMCISION

Boys in this Aborigine tribe are led off into the woods where the

elders circumcise them. They then must swallow their foreskin and

once they heal they are lead back out into the woods. More genital

mutilation follows after which they must stand bleeding over an

open fire. Only then do they become men.

MATAUSA CLEANSING

In Papau New Guinea some tribes have their young boys stick two

canes down their throats until they vomit. Reeds will then be forced up

their nostrils and their tongues are stabbed. All of this is done

for the purpose of purification.

BULLET ANT GLOVE

Young boys in the Amazonian Satere-Mawe tribe must wear gloves

made of bullet ants while dancing around for 10 minutes without

flinching. The stings are extremely painful and cause

paralysis for up to 24 hours.