+

Rites of passage

Moving on

+Birth rites

UK Christenings, or baptisms are religious ceremonies in which a

baby/young child is anointed with water and is allocated God-parents. The practice was becoming less popular in the UK as fewer peopleattend churches however, the Christening of Prince George in 2013 may make it fashionable again.

Southern India The ‘Dropping the Baby” ritual is carried out every year in

southern India and is meant to bring good luck, health and prosperity. Although it is banned by the government, the practicecontinues.

+Education

The first day of school The School Prom Thanks to Hollywood and the impact of American

culture on the UK, Proms are now big business.

Bachelor and Spinster Parties In Australia B&S Balls are a huge and gruesome event.

Many take place in a remote area. A big ‘spew’ pit is dugand the revelers spend the weekend getting bladdered.

Graduation ceremonies

+UK Marriage

Traditional church wedding, UK In 2011 only 30% of weddings in the UK were religious.

70% were civil ceremonies.

The average cost of weddings in the UK in 2013 is £18244.

Civil partnership, Gretna Green The Civil Partnership Act (2004), gave same-sex couples

most of the same rights as married couples.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, will mean same-sex couples will be entitled to equal rights and responsibilities of civil marriage.

+Overseas Marriage

Yogyakarta, Indonesia Sultan Hamengkubuwono X’s fourth daughter, Gusti Ratu Kanjeng ayu, marries

KPH Notonegoro in a three day ceremony (October 2013)

Rajgarh, India Newly wed Mamta Bai, 12, and her husband Bablu, 14 (May 2011).

Ignoring laws that ban child marriages, several young children, are still married off as part of centuries-old custom in some Indian villages. India law prohibits marriage for women younger than 18 and men under age 21.

+Some other rites of passage

Bar Mitzvah The ‘coming of age’ in the Jewish tradition is 13 for boys, 12 for girls.

18th Birthday UK law now recognizes you as an adult.

Hen and Stag Do’s Final fling or waste of money?

Wedding anniversariesHeather and Anthony Knappett

celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

+Funerals

UK Today in Britain, non-religious funerals are becoming a popular

alternative, such as those offered at the Woodland Burial Park in Norwich. Death remains a fairly taboo subject in the UK.

Burning Ghats, India and Nepal “Shmashana” or “cremation” ghats (or steps) are common in South Asia

(India and Nepal). These are places where bodies are cremated by thethe waterside, allowing the ashes to be washed away by the sacred river.