ating must have about 10,000 dollars so that they can afford the gifts, food, etc. During the ritual the girl has absolutely no baths and isn’t allowed to touch herself except with a stick. She isn’t allowed to drink except with a straw. She is also allowed very little sleep during the week of her specific dance. During a specific part of the ritual her grandmother massages her body, which signifies a strong life ahead for this thirteen year old girl. During the most strenuous parts of the ritual the young girl is believed to change into a deity called “Changing Woman”. The whole community reaffirms their identity through the dance. Saturday is specifically dedicated to the godmother while Sunday is the godfather’s day. The girl, while awake is never allowed to stop dancing, even on her knees at the end when she has to prove that she is fully ready for womanhood. She is painted on her face and must stand up only with the aid of eagle feathers. The gifts that are given are of varying value, but they definitely don’t all have to do with the religious purpose, TV’s VCR’s and other electronic devices are given here. The confirmation is a much different ritual. It is not individual. There is a whole group of kids going through the ritual at the same time. They all have sponsors standing next to, or behind them during the whole ritual. The main difference of immediate comparison to be made is that of the girl speaking and saying she will remember the ritual for the rest of her life. Here, about 8 years later, I don’t even remember specifics about the rite of confirmation. The family time had during a ritual such as this can not be had during normal everyday experiences. The whole lot to be confirmed marches in, marriage style and lines up in the first two rows of the church. The priest then says a few words and the confirmation mass continues as normal mass. With communion and all the norm...
