Rites of Passage
The Aboriginal 'Rites of Passage' include birth, puberty, marriage and death. What makes the Aboriginal religion different to other religions is that anyone who has become an adult can participate or conduct the ceremony. Initiation rites permits an Aboriginal to be accepted in their tribe as an adult. During one of the main initiations, the boy/girl leaves puberty to go into adulthood. The first part of initiation involves the separation of the youth from the rest of their tribe and for several days, they spend time in a place where they can undergo hardships to be recognised as someone worthy of initiation. This may take place deep in a bush or in a cave. The second stage consists of instruction and ceremony. They learn the secrets and mysteries of the Dreaming and sacred doings. With this new knowledge they are considered to be changed into a mature person. The final stage involves returning to celebrations and being accepted and welcomed as an initiated person, ready to marry. There are also death rituals, which are crucial to perform.
After the British came and forced the Aboriginals into Christianity, they were put through different initiations known as sacraments. These also take place during birth, puberty, marriage and death. Though they take place at the same time, the details of each is differentiate in many ways. The sacraments include Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage or Holy Orders and Anointing of the sick. During these sacraments, not anyone can lead the ceremony like the Aborigines are able to, only a priest can do so. In contrast to the Aboriginal's religion, the process of being accepted into the Christian family/into adulthood, is broken up into more sacraments/initiations rather just one initiation. The meaning of each sacrament is also different compared to the initiations of the Aboriginal's.
After the British came and forced the Aboriginals into Christianity, they were put through different initiations known as sacraments. These also take place during birth, puberty, marriage and death. Though they take place at the same time, the details of each is differentiate in many ways. The sacraments include Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage or Holy Orders and Anointing of the sick. During these sacraments, not anyone can lead the ceremony like the Aborigines are able to, only a priest can do so. In contrast to the Aboriginal's religion, the process of being accepted into the Christian family/into adulthood, is broken up into more sacraments/initiations rather just one initiation. The meaning of each sacrament is also different compared to the initiations of the Aboriginal's.