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Developing A Rites of Passage Program
::: Writer ::: www.ritesofpassage.org :::: Photographer ::: www.ritesofpassage.org Transplanted from Africa, African centered rites of passage practice is now starting to take root in African-American communities across the country. In the past five years the number of groups practicing the ritual has increased, reflecting the diversity of the African continent itself. Although the groups tend to share a common underlying ideology, the specific elements and structure of the rites of passage program depend largely upon preferences of those performing it. There are many components that require consideration in implementing a rites of passage program. The immediate concern is developing a community of adults through bonding and training. The training will accomplish the following: * Provide a self-exploration and bonding experiences. * Prepare participants for a mission of service to youth. * Develop a community of culturally competent, conscious and confident youth service providers. Aside from the bonding experiences, the training will focus on the following: * African philosophy and the Africentric paradigm. * Rites of passage and the African spiritual life cycle. * Psycho social development of African-American children and youth. * Youth and popular culture. Upon completion of training, the evolved critical mass and community of adults will complete the following: * Establish values and principles for the rites. * Develop a purpose statement and goal for the rites. * Develop the program. * Identify the educational, spiritual (not religious unless a church or mosque) and physical (hands-on) aspects of the rites program. * Identify specific activities which will serve to reinforce values and practice of values. * Identify community resources. It must be understood that rites of passage program development is limited only by the creativity of those wishing to establish a new, exciting and culturally relevant program. Rites of passage and initiation is just not limited to adolescent and development. It can be applied to the development in other areas of the life cycle (adults, middle age, old age) and/or special issues, such as prin1ary prevention, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and high risk youth. It can also be used as a healing strategy by groups and organizations to augment current programs.  |
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