Rites Of Passage

Turner defines a ritual as "forms of religious behavior associated with social transitions," and further notes that, "ritual is transformative." Whereas a more universal definition of ritual is "an established or proscribed procedure for a religious ceremony or event, oftentimes conducted by a community." Van Gennep describes rites of passage as "rites which accompany every change of place, state, social position, and age." Through the lens of these definitions, one can see the connection between rites of passage and rituals. There are various connections in the universal definition that support rites of passage being akin to rituals. Throughout the article "Betwixt and Between," community and establishment are large factors in the rite of passage rituals observed. Turners notes, from his observations of various small communities, that each rite of passage ceremony was crucial to the acceptance of various groups within the community; thus, giving a sense of communitas--all members of a community share
This stage may follow a sort of celebration to acknowledge the transformation. For example, once the Apache coming of age ritual deemed the young girl a woman after painting her with clay, making her final lap around the basket of symbolic items and re-entering society . Whereas, individuals who join the army graduate from basic and are now considered a solider. This is similarly to fraternities and sororities. These communities typically celebrate through a formal gathering recognizing the new members. This coincides with Turner's definition because is depicts the transformation of an individual who goes through a rite of passage ritual. By examining both definitions of rituals (Turner's and universal) in comparison to the 3 stages of rites of passage, as well as, its definition and characteristics, one can sensibly argue how rite of passage is a