What coming-of-age rituals exist around the world?

The answer

Coming-of-age rituals mark the transition from childhood to adulthood and vary dramatically across cultures. The Satere-Mawe tribe of Brazil requires boys to wear gloves filled with bullet ants whose sting causes intense pain for up to 24 hours; this must be endured 20 times. In Judaism, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs mark religious adulthood at 13 and 12 respectively. The Maasai of East Africa send adolescent boys into the wilderness for months. In Japan, Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day) celebrates all who turned 20 that year with formal ceremonies. Hispanic cultures celebrate the quinceanera at 15, and some Aboriginal Australian groups conduct walkabout journeys lasting up to six months. These rituals serve to test readiness, build resilience, and formally integrate young people into adult society.