Rituals (natural history). 4, Initiation

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Summary

Initiation rituals are spectacular, with the power to change who you are. In Papua New Guinea, boys endure brutal skin cutting to become men. In India, a girl gives up her family and has all her ha...

Initiation rituals are spectacular, with the power to change who you are. In Papua New Guinea, boys endure brutal skin cutting to become men. In India, a girl gives up her family and has all her hair plucked out in her initiation as a Jain nun. In Senegal, a wrestler hopes ancient rituals will bring success as he tries to enter the sport's big league. And in Taiwan, recruits must complete ten gruelling exercises over rocks in the 'Road to Heaven', the final ritual to join the military elite.

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