Web Sites

Additional web sites can be found on the Multicultural Page

Farnham, D. A. (2001). Ritual. Retrieved on May 14, 2001 from the WWW http://www.willinet.net/~dfarnham/religion/ritual.htm

A site developed and maintained by a professor at Drake University who teaches an Anthropology course. This page contains numerous links to sites on rites of passage throughout life. Several links are germane to coming of age including information on Korean ritual and several on the issue of female genital mutilation as practiced in African adolescent rites of passage.

LaFlamme, L. M. (2001). Rites of Passage.  Synchronicity Press. Retrieved on 11 May 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.spress.org/
Programs, information, books and products celebrating Menarche and womanhood. A site to help adults lead adolescent girls into a celebratory rite of passage. Features a glossary of terms and an FAQ. “Every enlightened parent wants to provide the best possible foundation for their children. We know that self-esteem and self-respect are critical in one’s life and are especially important to foster and nurture in the adolescent and teen years...”

Nelson, P. B. (2001). Reviving Rites of Passage in America. The Balch Institute: Rites of Passage in America A Traveling Exhibition.  Retrieved on May 3, 2001 on the WWW. http://www.balchinstitute.org/rites/reviving.html

Every ethnic group possesses its own distinct understanding of the life cycle and its own elaborate set of rituals to mark life's stages.  Many of the rituals have been lost entirely, and of those that have survived or have been revived, almost all have changed in practice and meaning. This essay inquires into the ways that traditional rites of passage have evolved in the American context, focusing on traditions for four major life passages: birth, coming of age, marriage and death.

Tuzin, D. F. (2001). Rites of passage. MSN Encarta Online. Retrieved on May 11, 2001 on the WWW. http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?ti=01840000

Describes the various rituals and social conventions of different cultures toward individuals who have reached the age of adulthood and features wonderful examples of rites of passage from other cultures, including audio, and video clips.