Initiation Ceremony Collection

Comanche Tribe Initiation ceremony for young Comanche aspiring to become Shamen or Witch Doctors, 1850
3479502 Comanche Tribe Initiation ceremony for young Comanche aspiring to become Shamen or Witch Doctors, 1850; (add.info.: Comanche Tribe, Lake Winnipeg)

Fish Mask, Bijogo Culture, Bissagos Islands (painted wood & nails)
HSC181692 Fish Mask, Bijogo Culture, Bissagos Islands (painted wood & nails) by African School; length:116 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: worn by a young man;); Photo © Heini Schneebeli

Bull Mask, Bijogo Culture, Bissagos Islands (wood, glass, horn & leather) (see also 181690)
HSC181689 Bull Mask, Bijogo Culture, Bissagos Islands (wood, glass, horn & leather) (see also 181690) by African School; length:44 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Eton Montem, and the Mount, Salt Hill, from "The English Spy", pub
3085910 Eton Montem, and the Mount, Salt Hill, from " The English Spy", pub. 1824 (hand coloured engraving) by Cruikshank

Initiation Ceremony in the Torres Straits (litho)
2799268 Initiation Ceremony in the Torres Straits (litho) by Haddon, A. Trevor (1864-1941); Private Collection; (add.info.: Initiation Ceremony in the Torres Straits)

A group of island men with their sepik flutes, the longest flutes in the world. These traditional instruments are only played by men and are played at initiation ceremonies

A Hamar woman blows a tin trumpet at a Jumping of the Bull ceremony. The Hamar are semi-nomadic pastoralists of Southwest Ethiopia whose women wear striking traditional dress

In the early morning, a Dassanech man puts on his serval cat skin cape and ostrich-feather headdress to participate in his Dimi ceremony, an important initiation ceremony

Secret Societies (nineteenth century). Initiation ceremony of a new member
Secret Societies (19th-century). Initiation ceremony of a new member. Colored engraving

Knighting
illustration of a king Knighting

Neptune on Board the Newcastle Crossing the Line, 1859 (w / c on paper)
XZL151152 Neptune on Board the Newcastle Crossing the Line, 1859 (w/c on paper) by Simpson, William Crimea (1823-99); Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Italy, Valpolicella, Mosaic work depicting an initiation scene from the Roman Villa of Negrar 1st Century A.D, Italy, Veneto, Verona, Museo Archeologico Del Teatro Romano (Archaeological Museum)

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The initiation ceremony is a sacred and transformative rite of passage that takes place in various cultures around the world. One such ceremony, deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism, is found within the Bijogo Culture of the Bissagos Islands. In this captivating ritual, young men are ushered into adulthood through a series of intricate customs. The Fish Mask, crafted with meticulous detail using painted wood and nails, represents their connection to the aquatic realm - symbolizing strength and resilience as they navigate life's challenges. Another striking element of this the Bull Mask. Made from wood, glass, horn, and leather, it embodies power and courage - qualities essential for these young men as they embark on their journey towards maturity. Engravings depicting similar ceremonies throughout history shed light on the universality of such traditions. From an engraving showcasing the initiation of young men into adulthood to front cover illustrations capturing mystic rituals like those explored in Les Mysteres de la Franc-Maconnerie by Leo Taxil - these images remind us that initiation ceremonies have long been part of human culture. Even beyond specific cultural contexts or historical periods, initiation ceremonies continue to hold significance. Whether it be Eton Montem's symbolic Mount at Salt Hill or an intriguing lithograph portraying an Initiation Ceremony in Torres Straits - these diverse examples demonstrate how societies across time have sought to mark significant transitions with profound rituals. Secret societies too have embraced initiation ceremonies as a means to bind members together through shared experiences. Nineteenth-century depictions reveal glimpses into these mysterious rites: new members undergoing initiations surrounded by fellow society members who guard ancient knowledge closely. As we delve deeper into understanding different cultures' practices surrounding initiation ceremonies, we encounter more fascinating elements like sepik flutes played by island men or Hamar women blowing tin trumpets during Jumping events – each carrying its own unique symbolism within their respective communities.