Birthdays are always memorable, but as the calendar pages turn, there are some years that stand out for being truly special: sweet 16 is one of them!
Click start to play today’s Spell It, where “sixteen” is one of the 38 words you can form with the letters provided.
Around the world, cultures have unique rites of passage for adolescents who are turning into young adults. While some celebrate at age 16, others do it earlier, when children hit puberty at 13 or 14. Here are a few coming-of-age traditions from around the world:
1. Quinceañera, Latin America
Celebrated in Mexico, Argentina and many other Latin American countries, the Quinceañera is a right of passage for girls who turn 15. It begins with a blessing in church, followed by a party for loved ones, where food is served and everyone dances. In some countries, the ceremony includes having 14 friends in attendance, giving away a porcelain doll to a younger sister, and changing from flats to high heels to represent entering adulthood.
2. Bullet Ant Initiation, Brazil
In the Brazilian Amazon, young boys belonging to the indigenous Sateré-Mawé tribe participate in a bullet and ant initiation when they turn 13. The boys search the rainforest for bullet ants, which are then sedated with a herbal solution. Members of the tribe then weave the into gloves, with their stingers pointed inwards. When the ants wake up, furious, the initiation begins – every boy has to wear the gloves for 10 minutes, to show he is ready for manhood. Over the span of several months, young boys wear the gloves 20 times in order to complete the initiation.
3. Tchoodi, Mali
In Mali, women from the Fulani ethnic group are ushered into womanhood by practicing “Tchoodi” – the process of acquiring facial tattoos. Young girls have their lip areas tattooed with black ink to represent their cultural identity and as a sign of beauty. As they endure the pain, women from their village offer support by singing, clapping, chanting and drumming throughout the entire process.
4. Gwan Rye, South Korea
On the third Monday of May, 20-year-old Korean men and women celebrate Gwan Rye together. As part of the celebration of entering adulthood, women traditionally wear an ornamental hairpin and a hanbok (the national dress), and receive three symbolic gifts: perfume, roses, and a kiss.
Does your culture practice a coming-of-age tradition? Play today’s Spell It and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
