Sudden Rite of Passage: An Ethnography of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony for 9-Year-Old Girls in Mashhad

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Social Sciences, Dr. Ali Shariati Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Group of Social Sciences, Danishgah Literature, Danishgah Ferdowsi Mashhad

10.22059/ijar.2024.378983.459879

Abstract

Purpose- Two years after the establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran, the "Taklif Celebration" was defined as a public religious rite of passage for girls. Over time, this ceremony has become a significant event for girls, featuring extensive media coverage and the participation of high-ranking political figures. Additionally, the ceremony is held in public spaces such as the Holy Shrine of Razavi, halls, hotels, and schools. The purpose of this article was to examine how the Taklif Celebration functions as a rite of passage and a starting point for religious duties for girls in public spaces.
Methodology-This study employed a qualitative and ethnographic approach, participating in several Taklif Celebrations to observe and analyze the events and their occurrences. The study fields included four girls' schools, the Holy Shrine of Razavi, selected halls, and hotels in Mashhad. Data were collected through participant observation and informal conversations, categorized, and then used to construct a comprehensive narrative to develop a theoretical understanding of the ceremony.
Findings- The research identified seven common themes across the four Taklif Celebrations: 1) A New Birth; the transition from childhood to adulthood, 2) Religious Eulogies in the Rhythm of Songs; compensation during crises, 3) Songs; the community’s expectations from girls, 4) Special Attire; presenting unidimensional images, 5) Religious Gifts, 6) Competitions for education and reinforcing gender boundaries, 7) Oaths; prioritizing political duties over religious obligations.
Conclusions- This religious rite of passage aims to establish a new identity for girls. The findings suggest that through the Taklif Celebration, according to the theories of Van Gennep and Turner, children move from the pre-liminal phase into the liminal or crisis phase. These ceremonies are designed not only to prepare girls for religious duties but also to commit them to revolutionary values, as seen in the oaths, speeches, and songs. Additionally, the ceremony emphasizes certain religious obligations and presents unidimensional images of them, particularly the importance of hijab and prayer for girls. This is highlighted in components such as songs, special attire, and religious gifts. The delineation from non-mahrams and the transition to adulthood are linked to the new identity definition for children, facilitating the acceptance of other religious duties. These themes play a crucial role in shaping the religious and revolutionary identity of girls. Ultimately, this article provides a critical and in-depth description of the Taklif Celebration and its execution

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References

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Iranian Journal of Anthropological Research
Volume 14, Issue 1
Indexing Databases
June 2024
Pages 158-178

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