M8: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony!

     This week Signor Volpe told us we would be traveling to the ancient civilization of the Maya. I was really excited about this trip because my friend Ava told me all about how they Mayans made very good technological advances. But on this mission I wanted to learn about other parts of the Mayan culture. By the time Lola, Ella and I had to leave, it was fickle weather due to the pouring down rain. We ran to the Bentley because it was closer than the jet and took off back into time.

     When we arrived in modern day Guatemala the city-state was really busy. There were lots of little girls with red shells on their waistbands, and their were little boys with white beads in their hair. We went to a women's house who was preparing her 12 year old daughter for her coming-of-age ceremony. The women told us that there were many parts to the coming of age ceremony. I thought it would be fun if Lola, Ella, and I followed along with them. The first thing that the 12 year girl named Allina would do was a confessional. 

     Allina walked to a sacred waterfall and confessed all of the bad things of sins she had ever done. It was amazing how many people like family and friends were there to support Allina in this sacred time of her life. The point in which she would become and adult and take on more responsibilities. Everybody was dressed up in very detailed clothing. The next step for Allina was her cleansing, she went into the water and cleaned herself. She came out cleaner and ready for life. Allina's mom told me that the next step was for her to recite the rules of behavior. But before we went to that Lola, and Ella, and I decided to go to the market place and get something to eat.
     When it was tome for Allina to recite the rules of behavior we met up with the group at Allina's house. Everyone in the room gathered in a circle and held hands, then Allina began to recite the rules. She was very clear and talked loud for all to hear. When she finished, everyone clapped and cheered. But the long ceremony still wasn't over, the priest who had followed the family for all of the events cut and removed the strand of red beads on Allina's waist. This showed that she was becoming an adult.
     Although the ceremony lasted about 5 hours I guess that's a little more than a substantial ceremony. It was still amazing to see the changes a young lady goes through from being a child and becoming a woman. I was very intrigued by how much she must have studied for this important day. Hopefully I will get to comeback and see another ceremony, maybe even a wedding?