Rites of passage ceremonies and Teaching

In the following reflection I will be commenting on the “initiation rites and rites of passage ceremonies and how do they relate to teaching and learning”. As we have examined in studying the evolution of mankind, we as “homosapien sapiens” have been rapidly advancing in our cultural, educational and social development. From the early primates, we see the necessity to adapt and enculturate in order to survive. The transferring of this information and the performing of “rites of passages” is the instrument and/or institution by which we learn about our ancestors, heritage and culture. For some societies we have great edifices or classrooms which constitutes for schools, in other societies we have ceremonial initiations which constitutes for education.

In order for any society to be acculturated, enculturated, diffused or adapted, a system of teaching and learning must be put in place so that information is properly embraced. In the study of “initiation rites” we see young men and women preparing for an educational experience, that too many may seem inhuman. Eventually, these experiences will lead to their graduation and acceptance into their culture and societies. Without proper indoctrination and approval, many of these young men and women will not be accepted. Proving their competence in survival, pain, and perseverance was the “degree” achieved in order to graduate from childhood to adulthood. In some societies a four year (4) program was put in place where these potential candidates were excluded from their common surroundings. This exclusion was going to reflect whether these candidates were prepared to take the role of a leader or remain as a follower. Graduation ceremonies were also important in order to celebrate and reward those who were competent.

Today in “modern societies”, we find a tremendous similarity which connects and embraces the “rites of passage” which we find in other “primitive” societies. Regardless of intellect, class age, clan or band we all must go through a process in our academic careers which proves our competence of a particular subject or topic. For many students going through this process it can feel like an initiation, some will pass and others may not. The importance is that we follow the traditions set by our society and learning institutions in order to prove ourselves worthy. The terms described above, “initiation rites and rites of passage” is associated with the word “school” in the English language. Schools are described in the Wikipedia as “an institution designed to allow and encourage students to learn under the supervision of a teacher”. In many of the “initiation rites ceremonies” you always find elders, sponsor, tribal parents or teachers who are there to instruct, supervise and care for the students (initiates) who will be journeying through this educational experience (rite).

Teaching and learning is vital to the survival of any culture or society. Regardless of what we name our learning institutions or experiences it is part of our mental, social or academic development. In the case of different societies other then our own, we see similar emphasizes given to the learning and teaching experiences conducted. We must all prove ourselves competent and worthy of graduation, not doing so will mean the difference between academic acceptability or not. In today’s society this is vital to achieve “success”, attain a career or a job. In other societies it could mean the difference between “childhood” and “adulthood”.

I will like to conclude with this statement “you can’t ever be a teacher, if you were never a student.”