In 'The Rites of Passage,' Arnold van Gennep explores the profound significance of rituals in human life, marking the transitions between different phases of existence. From birth to death, these ceremonies serve to guide individuals through changes in identity and social status. Van Gennep delves into cross-cultural practices, revealing both universal themes and unique customs that define societies. The book invites readers to consider how these rites shape personal and communal experiences. A thought-provoking journey through anthropology, it challenges you to reflect on your own life's milestones.
By Arnold van Gennep
Published: 1961
""In every transition, there lies a world of possibilities, each step a threshold to a new existence, a rite that marks our journey through the fabric of life.""
Birth, puberty, marriage, and death are, in all cultures, marked by ceremonies which may differ but are universal in function. Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957) was the first anthropologist to note the regularity and significance of the rituals attached to the transitional stages in man's life, and his phrase for these, "the rites of passage," has become a part of the language of anthropology and sociology.
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“"In every transition, there lies a world of possibilities, each step a threshold to a new existence, a rite that marks our journey through the fabric of life."”
The Rites of Passage
By Arnold van Gennep
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Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957) was a French ethnographer and folklorist, renowned for his pioneering work in the study of rites of passage in various cultures. His most notable work, 'Les Rites de Passage' (1909), introduced the concept of the three stages of rites: separation, transition, and incorporation. Van Gennep's writing style is characterized by a blend of meticulous observation and analytical rigor, appealing to both academic audiences and general readers. He adeptly linked ethnographic data with theoretical insights, influencing the fields of anthropology and sociology.
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