Lebese Rachel T., Mothiba Tebogo M., Mulaudzi Mercy T., Mashau Ntsieni S., Makhado Lufuno
Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
A rite of passage is an event or ceremony practised within different cultural groups, especially among indigenous African people, to mark an important transition in life. It is an important stage that is celebrated at birth, the transition from childhood to adulthood, and during more stages. For example, in males, there is the circumcision ceremony known as (among Bapedi), (among AmaXhosa), (among Vatsonga), for males and for females (among Batswana), to name a few. This chapter describes the different rites of passage that indigenous African people practice marking the different stages of life. The chapter also describes the characteristics and the processes followed when these rites are being implemented. There are different types of rites of passage that indigenous people in Africa practice. The rites of passage are based on the notion of sharing life and vision with the community, which is rooted in the mystery of life and death. Again, these rites of passage are practised and performed based on age and health status. Therefore, health care professionals need to know the rites of passage practices of the communities they serve. This will enable them to understand the people they serve and be of assistance where possible. The different types of rites of passage practised in different cultural contexts in Africa are discussed concerning their impact on the health care system.
成年礼是不同文化群体，尤其是非洲本土人群中举行的一种活动或仪式，用以标志人生中的重要转变。它是一个重要阶段，在出生时、从童年到成年的过渡阶段以及更多阶段都会庆祝。例如，在男性中，有包皮环切仪式，如（在巴佩迪人中）称为 ，（在科萨人中）称为 ，（在瓦松加人中）称为 ，对于男性还有 ，对于女性（在博茨瓦纳人中）称为 等等。本章描述了非洲本土人群为标志人生不同阶段而举行的各种成年礼。本章还描述了这些仪式实施时的特点和遵循的过程。非洲本土人群举行的成年礼有不同类型。成年礼基于与社区分享生活和愿景的观念，这植根于生死之谜。同样，这些成年礼根据年龄和健康状况来举行和执行。因此，医疗保健专业人员需要了解他们所服务社区的成年礼习俗。这将使他们能够理解他们所服务的人群，并在可能的情况下提供帮助。本文讨论了在非洲不同文化背景下举行的不同类型成年礼及其对医疗保健系统的影响。
