10 incredibly painful rites of initiation, part of which is practiced today
Even in the technologically advanced twenty-first century left on the planet where people have to go through painful rituals, which have to prove their maturity, dexterity, or strength of faith. The horrors of initiation kompensiruet for these accidents because they thus become full members of society. In our review you'll find the 10 most painful initiation rites, some of which are practiced today.
1. The Sepik — scarring
The tribes living along the Sepik river in Papua New Guinea have used the tradition of scarification at initiation of boys into men for many decades. At this ceremony the young men cut bits of skin along their backs, Breasts and buttocks. With the help of such scars did complex patterns to mimic the coarse skin of a crocodile. The local tribes believed crocodiles are sacred animals. The ritual could take several weeks.
2. Naghol — jumping from a height
In the South Pacific ocean on the island of Pentecost, the local tribes are building a wooden tower with a height of 20 to 30 meters. Then, similar structures are used for a kind of extreme form of bungee jumping, during which the jumping man hold only two vines. The ritual is performed to ensure a good Yam harvest and a successful year. Also use this ritual to dedicate the boys into adulthood. 7-8 year old boys jump headfirst from towers. Of course, what regularly happens a concussion, a broken leg and neck and dislocated ankle.
3. Mandan ceremony of torture
The Mandan Indians, there was a ceremony okipa consisting of various painful trials through which warriors proved their physical courage and gained the approval of the spirits. Okipa began with the fact that young people are not eating, not drinking and not slept for four days. Then the boys were led into the hut, where they had to sit, smiling, at the time, as they cut the skin on the chest and shoulders, and under the muscle put wooden skewers. These "skewers" boys were suspended under the roof, where they hung until fainted. To make the process even more painful, the feet tied extra weight. Once future soldiers fainted, they were taken, and on waking them with an axe had chopped off the fingers on both hands.
4. Rome — infibulation
The ancient Romans also had their own initiation method. Infibulation is the process of suturing on the foreskin. With wire or metal clasp the foreskin of the penis was closed, left only a tiny hole for urination. This was done for several reasons. Singers infibulation helps to keep the voice for many years. Also, it was believed that such a process retains the strength and vitality of the gladiators. And boys were subjected to this procedure, to keep them from Masturbation and sexual intercourse.
5. It is the filing the teeth
The women of the tribe it in Sumatra subjected to the painful practice known as teeth filing. Local shamans they chop off the corners of the teeth with a stone blade and a hammer. As a result, young girls get teeth similar to shark teeth. It is believed that this makes them more attractive.
6. Spit — male circumcision
In Xhosa nation in South Africa before the initiation of a boy into adulthood for him to build a cabin in the mountains. There he lives in the next few weeks, and then suddenly comes the shaman and conducts the circumcision. Remarkably, the foreskin is often removed with a dull blade. After this procedure, the boy again left alone, and he can't eat or drink water until he healed. Should I mention the higher risk of infection.
7. Fulani — scars of the flagellation
The Fulani tribes that live in Benin, led a nomadic life in West Africa for many years. To the boy in this tribe began to be considered a man he must endure the ritual, during which his blood to beat with a whip. During the ritual, checked the power, poise and courage of the young men. Initiated be opposite each other and applied on line for three more painful lashes. So they beat at a time, while the crowd will choose the winner, which better withstood the pain, despite the wounds.
8. Sabina — female circumcision
The girls of the tribe sabiny in Uganda cut the sex organs so they can be considered women. If the girl will be able to survive this very painful procedure, it is proving to be strong enough to withstand any of life's challenges. During female circumcision, the clitoris is either partially cut or completely removed. Sabini think it will make a woman faithful to your husband and to keep her from sexual promiscuity. In cutting very high infection and the probability of death.
9. Mateus — blood purification
Deep in the mountains of Papua New Guinea there is a terrible ceremony. Matous believe that boys should be cleaned from "bad mother's blood", otherwise they will be all my life to suffer and they will never be considered real men. First, they stick in the throat a thin reed tube, to induce vomiting up blood. Then like tube is inserted into the nose to expel from the body "bad" mucus. At the end of the ritual languages of boys, make a few cuts with a knife.
10. Satere-mawé — gloves of the ants-bullets
Brazilian tradition tribe satere-mawé initiation of young men into warriors has become infamous in recent years. Explorers, adventurers, and documentarians flock to the Amazon to see what is considered one of the most painful rituals on earth. Just one bite of a poisonous ant bullet is comparable in pain with a gunshot wound. Intense pain lasts for hours and can lead to vomiting, nausea and cardiac arrhythmia. And all this from one bite. Satere-mawé take about 30 like ants and place them inside tips in a glove woven from the leaves.
Initiated boy must stick his hand in the glove and hold out 10 minutes, not cried. He and other members of the tribe should at this time to sing and dance to distract the boy from the pain. After the ritual is complete, the teenager will suffer from the bites for several days, but will be one step closer to becoming a warrior. To complete the initiation ritual, this process has to be repeated 20 more times over the next months.
Keywords: Violence | Circumcision | Ritual | Tradition