Reflection Number Six

Upon my conclusion of these particular passages, I learned about what rites of passages are and their relation to culture, but I was also able to learn about different rites of passages found in the world. Though rites of passages are not put into action in order to change a person physically, but more so on a spiritual and emotional level, they are acts that are still actions that are vital; for they depict and continue to keep alive a cultures traditions. It is inevitable that as years continue to pass and generations continue to grow and develop certain cultural traditions may dwindle away and no longer but put into action. However, actions such as rites of passage are ones that continue to remain an important part of a culture; for it is what many view to be the development of one life stage to another and ones passage to a high societal plateau. This is concept and act of passage is one that, in my opinion, is rather important because of its cultural gravity. It is an aspect that began years ago and it allows people to connect with their heritage.

The three tales of Facing Mt Kenya, Sitting Quietly, and the Sambia all go to discuss the tales, traditions, and rites of passage for three different groups of people. Though all three very different in tale, they all have a way of connecting with education. Though now a day, a formal education is one that many view as being taught in a school, it is something that can be taught anywhere. First and foremost, the terms “formal education” are two that are defined by each culture differently; for it reflects what is seen as formal to that culture as well as what is needed to be learned in order to reside and progress in that culture. Though, relating these passages to the American view of formal culture, these passages go to show that education is what you take from it. It is not something that another will place into your head to remember, it is something that you, as an individual need to comprehend and learn how to apply to your everyday life; the same way the boys is the passage “Sitting Quietly” did.

These articles also allowed me to reflect on that fact that education is a form of passage. As a child continues to progress in their formal education and as they move from elementary to middle to high school and then to college they are developing. They are learning the skills and knowledge needed in order to progress in society and as they do so they too grow and develop spiritually and emotionally. The same way a rite of passage is established to do.