I cannot remember a time in my recent past that is as book-less as now! All I have are textbooks on my Kindle, my Bible, and "Gems from "Tozer," a little book of selected writings by A.W. Tozer that I bought at the Operation Mobilization bookstore in Hyderabad. Thankfully, Jess said I could read some of hers, so tonight I started "Long Walk to Freedom: The autobiography of Nelson Mandela."
I just read the part where he speaks of the initiation rituals around manhood. Circumcision is the main component, including rituals that symbolize purity and leaving one's childhood behind. At the end, they receive gifts from the community members, such as property and livestock, wherewith to start their life in a new capacity. I like how the ceremony helps them get going in life with some assets. Mandela writes: "I felt strong and proud that day. I remember walking differently on that day, straighter, taller, firmer. I was hopeful, and thinking that someday I might have wealth, property, status."
His descriptions strike me as so different from Canadian society, where I am not entirely sure what the expectation and definition of manhood is. I am still amazed when I see North American men in their 30s still living at home, playing video games!
I wonder if we have any analogous observance or 'rites of passage ' in Canada... Not anything so communitarian and formalized. Perhaps when a man moves out... buys his own house... gets married? There each boy yelled out "I am a man!" after the circumcision instrument descended; I wonder when North American boys make that transition in their minds from boy to man. One person I talked to said that he only consciously acknowledged it when he became a father.
On a more personal note... when did I begin to classify myself as a woman instead of as a girl?... or am I still a girl? :) I often still feel dependent and there are so many things I don't know! But I don't think that being a woman means being totally independent and omniscient :) I think I realize that I am no longer a child in moments when I realize my responsibility for my own health and education and for sorting out logistical things like visas and that. I also realize that I am no longer a girl as people entrust me with more responsibility in things that 'really matter.'
On a side note, I find it funny that some people think I am only 19. People have thought that for 10 years now, since I was 12!
And finally, on a suggestive note :) I would love people to interact with me on this, sharing their comments and observations or perhaps the moment they made the transition to being 'grown-up' in their minds.
I just read the part where he speaks of the initiation rituals around manhood. Circumcision is the main component, including rituals that symbolize purity and leaving one's childhood behind. At the end, they receive gifts from the community members, such as property and livestock, wherewith to start their life in a new capacity. I like how the ceremony helps them get going in life with some assets. Mandela writes: "I felt strong and proud that day. I remember walking differently on that day, straighter, taller, firmer. I was hopeful, and thinking that someday I might have wealth, property, status."
His descriptions strike me as so different from Canadian society, where I am not entirely sure what the expectation and definition of manhood is. I am still amazed when I see North American men in their 30s still living at home, playing video games!
I wonder if we have any analogous observance or 'rites of passage ' in Canada... Not anything so communitarian and formalized. Perhaps when a man moves out... buys his own house... gets married? There each boy yelled out "I am a man!" after the circumcision instrument descended; I wonder when North American boys make that transition in their minds from boy to man. One person I talked to said that he only consciously acknowledged it when he became a father.
On a more personal note... when did I begin to classify myself as a woman instead of as a girl?... or am I still a girl? :) I often still feel dependent and there are so many things I don't know! But I don't think that being a woman means being totally independent and omniscient :) I think I realize that I am no longer a child in moments when I realize my responsibility for my own health and education and for sorting out logistical things like visas and that. I also realize that I am no longer a girl as people entrust me with more responsibility in things that 'really matter.'
On a side note, I find it funny that some people think I am only 19. People have thought that for 10 years now, since I was 12!
And finally, on a suggestive note :) I would love people to interact with me on this, sharing their comments and observations or perhaps the moment they made the transition to being 'grown-up' in their minds.
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