Both boys and girls enter puberty as they proceed toward adulthood. In different countries of the world, people celebrate specific types of coming of age traditions for girls. They undergo and experience several mental and physiological changes in these years. For a girl, entering puberty can be a difficult experience. Having periods and witnessing changes in the body can be mentally unsettling for some girls as well. Gone were those days when women found it hard to talk about psychological and sexual topics. While there are cultures where women are still not expected to speak openly on these issues, things have changed for the better.
The importance of celebrating girls attaining puberty
For an adolescent girl, experiencing their first period may seem embarrassing and scary. That is a reason why people in various countries adhere to certain norms and rituals for making it easy for such girls to embrace womanhood. The norms vary from one culture to another, though. In some countries, the rituals involve eating special dishes and beverages, while in some countries, the families engage in celebrations.
Coming of age traditions in different countries around the world
South India
This may seem unexpected, but in India, some girls are ostracized for entering puberty. However, in the Tamil culture and others in the south, the girls are not ostracized, but are revered and blessed. The family arranges a celebration where the close relatives usually bathe the girl reaching puberty and then she is given a nutritious meal. She is bathed again and made to wear a new garment. She is also blessed with gifts. The priests perform a number of rituals and relatives are invited too.
South Africa
In South Africa, the family in which a girl reaches puberty throws a grand party. The girl is given many gifts from relatives and close friends. She must stay indoors for three days of the period and she is not supposed to meet children or men.
Japan
When a girl attains puberty in Japan, her mother prepares Sekihan, which is a traditional dish made of red beans and sticky rice. The entire family enjoys a meal together and must guess if the young woman has begun this transformational process.
The Philippines
In the Philippines, the mother of the girl attaining puberty washes the blood-stained clothing in water. She applies the water to the face of her daughter with the thought that it will reduce pimples in the future. The girl jumps three steps to symbolize the number of days she will experience her period.
Croatia
The Croatian custom for celebrating stepping into womanhood is nice. In this country, girls entering puberty are offered a glass of red wine. The other members of the family also enjoy some wine with the girl.
Canada
In Canada, the norm for celebrating girls reaching puberty is a tad different. The girls stepping into womanhood can’t eat berries for a year. However, they can collect, store and preserve berries. After a year, they can eat the berries, and this symbolizes stepping into womanhood.
Latin America
In countries like Mexico and Argentina, girls reaching 15 are pampered with a celebration. They are blessed in churches and the relatives arrange a party known as a Quinceañera. The girl wears a lovely big dress and in some cases is given high heels to wear on the day. The event is often on par with a wedding.
Macedonia
In Macedonia, young girls reaching puberty are asked to clean their own bloodstained garments. The belief is this will yield good luck for those girls in the future.
Brazil
In Brazil, when a girl reaches puberty, all her relatives are informed of a celebration known as Festa de Debutantes. Similar to many other Latin American traditions, the celebration is held on the girl’s 15th birthday. Many family and friends are invited to take part. The girl dances with members of her family and a boy of her own age.
Italy
In Italy, a girl reaching puberty is called a signorina and the word denotes a young lady. Family and relatives are informed to help celebrate and support the girl’s transition to womanhood.
Iceland
In Iceland, people do not perform any unusual ritual when a girl reaches puberty. Sometimes, the mother bakes a beautiful white and red cake to symbolize her daughter stepping into maturity.
Israel
For the girls in Israel, the ritual is sweet. They are asked to lick honey from a spoon. The belief being that their future periods will be without hassles.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest
