Different countries celebrate the journey into adulthood in unique ways. In South Korea and Japan, a formal Coming of Age Day marks this transition—celebrated in May and January, respectively.
Research suggests that these rituals hold deeper significance in pre-industrial societies, where survival depends on gender roles and practical skills. In modern societies, they tend to be more informal or symbolic.
From Japan’s Seijin no Hi to the demanding rites of passage in the Amazon, coming-of-age ceremonies reflect the values and traditions of each culture. This article explores how different societies honor this milestone and what these rituals reveal about the journey into adulthood.
Key Takeaways
- Different societies mark adulthood in unique ways
- Many traditions emphasize physical strength and survival skills for boys, while girls’ ceremonies often focus on beauty, fertility or social responsibilities
- These rites of passage often include symbolic gestures (special attire or extreme physical challenges, for example) and are deeply rooted in community participation and shared cultural identity
Young Adults gather for a Coming of Age Day celebration. Photo: Dick Johnson, Creative Commons License
Japan: Seijin no Hi (成人の日 or Coming of Age Day)
Japan celebrates the “Seijin no Hi” holiday every January. This national holiday called Adults’ Day, traditionally marks the 20th birthday, though legal adulthood is now recognized at 18. Young men typically wear suits or traditional kimono with hakama, while women don furisode, a long-sleeved kimono often passed down through generations.
The tradition dates back to the Nara period (710-794 AD), originally reserved for nobility with Shinto rituals and ceremonial dress. Over time, it spread across society.
Today, local governments host official ceremonies with speeches and formal acknowledgments, encouraging young adults to embrace their new responsibilities.
The practice is transitioning, however. Modern Japanese mark the day with more informal festivities. These might include traveling around Japan or visiting Disneyland Tokyo.
Brazil: The Amazonian Welcome to Adulthood Young Men
The physical demands for boys can be more intense during these ceremonies. One common example is the bullet ant initiation of the Amazonian Sateré-Mawé tribe in Brazil. Boys wear woven gloves full of bullet ants.
A bullet ant sting is 30 times more painful than a bee sting. Those who have been stung say the pain is like being shot, thus the nickname ‘bullet ants.’ Aside from pain, the toxin also causes paralysis, shaking, disorientation and hallucinations. One sting can have lasting effects for several days.
The goal is to wear them for ten minutes without crying. Congratulations. You’re a man now.
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Tanzania and Kenya: The Maasai Coming of Age Ceremony
The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania mark the transition to adulthood with initiation ceremonies for both boys and girls, though some older practices are being replaced with alternative rites.
Boys aged 9-15 begin their journey to becoming warriors by painting their faces with red clay, wearing red blankets, black shoes, and colorful beads, and venturing into the wilderness to test their physical and mental strength.
For girls, the Emuratare ceremony marks their readiness for adulthood and marriage. They put on jewelry, decorate their bodies and participate in songs and dances, while older women teach them about their future roles.
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Inuits in North Baffin Island: Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Transition
Innuits have their own traditions that mark coming of age for young boys and young girls. Their ceremonies are rooted in a connection to nature and ancestral custom and emphasize the transmission of the knowledge, resilience, and skills essential for survival way up in the Arctic.
The boys about 11 or 12 head to the wilderness with their fathers. They test their hunting skills and ability to thrive in the cold harsh weather. Nowadays, young women can also participate in this “ultimate test of adulthood.” Hurray! Equality.
Apache Tribe: The Sunrise Ceremony For Young Women
Underneath the mountains of New Mexico, Apache girls prepared to pass the tests of strength, endurance and character that make girls into women. The Rite of Passages, held annually on July 4, is a four-day ceremony involving traditional dances and music. The girl takes on the role of Changing Woman, the first woman on earth and the mother of all Apache women.
Girls can dance for 12 hours straight while the elder women watch and sing. Elder women spend a year preparing the younger women for the grueling challenge. The girls will have little food or sleep during stretch. When they finish, the girl will have earned the right to live as a full-fledged Apache woman of the tribe.
Land Diving in Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, young men prove their bravery by leaping from 100-foot wooden towers with only vines tied to their ankles—a ritual known as land diving.
This tradition traces back to a South Pacific legend about courage and resilience. While the original story featured a woman as the first diver, the ritual evolved into a test of strength and adulthood for men.
Held during the spring dry season (April–June), a successful jump is believed to bless the yam harvest, reinforcing the deep connection between tradition and survival.
Gender Differences in Rites of Passage
Coming-of-age ceremonies often reflect traditional gender roles. Rituals for girls frequently emphasize fertility or beauty, such as hair-pinning in China or makeup and jewelry ceremonies in Sri Lanka. For boys, rites of passage typically focus on hunting, strength, or warrior training.
Some cultures see adulthood as a gradual transition, with puberty marking the final stage, while others, like Quinceañeras in Latin America, celebrate a specific age as the turning point into adulthood.
Teenage girls often wear gorgeous gowns for their Quinceanera.
Photo: Ms. Phoenix , CC-by-2.0 License
Use of Symbolism in Rite of Passage Ceremonies
Ceremonies can be steeped in symbolism in many cultures. The symbolism can be simple gestures, like a teen donning high heel shoes or more intricate rituals, like the facial tattoos in northern Africa that denote a woman’s stage of life or societal role.
Community Involvement in Rite of Passage Ceremonies
In many indigenous communities, the entire community joins rite of passage ceremonies, reflecting the importance of collective identity and shared cultural values. The level of community involvement varies, with some ceremonies being intimate family affairs and others encompassing the entire religious or sacred community.
Creative Common License; Photo by: TOUMOU/WLAf2015
Frequently Asked Questions About Coming Of Age Rituals and Age Ceremonies
What is a coming of age ritual?
A coming of age ritual is a ceremony or tradition that marks the transition from being a child to being an adult. This symbolizes readiness to take on new responsibilities and roles in the family and society.
What were the coming-of-age rituals in ancient times?
What are the 5 rites of passage?
These five describes the various stages individuals undergo during significant life transitions. According to anthropologist Arnold van Gennep they are:
- Separation
- Transition
- Incorporation
- Integration
- Reintegration
What is the central idea of coming-of-age ceremonies across different cultures?
The central idea of coming-of-age ceremonies across different cultures is the recognition and celebration of an individual’s transition from childhood to adulthood, symbolizing their readiness to take on new roles, responsibilities, and privileges within society. For example, in Australian Aboriginal culture, the sacred ceremony known as ‘walkabout’ marks a significant rite of passage for young boys transitioning into adulthood. In different cultures, coming-of-age signifies the moment when a young person reaches maturity. They are now an adult member of society.
What are examples of rites of passage in American culture?
Examples of coming-of-age traditions in American culture include:
- High school graduation
- Bar and bat mitzvahs
- Cotillion
- Quinceañera
- Confirmation
- Sweet sixteen party
- Turning 21
- Registering to vote
- Registering for selective service
- Military service
- Getting a driver’s license
These coming-of-age practices from land diving to dancing are just some of the ways various cultures have helped welcome young people into adulthood over the centuries. To learn more about cultures around the world, consider a student travel program for yourself or a teen in your family!