Social Studies

Family + Life Cycle Unit

Family

A unit in society that is expected to provide economic and emotional support for its members.

Life Cycle

The total of series of rites of passage a culture celebrates or observes. These rites mark the passage from one status in a culture to another.

Rites of Passage

A ritual/special event a person experiences as they pass from one stage of life to another.

Symbolism

Objects or actions that have a special, deep meaning to a culture.

Menarche

When a girl gets her first period.

Age Set

The group of males who go through their life cycle rituals together.

Age Grade

The series of rites of passage in a culture

Hogan

A Navajo’s home.

Alkaan

A special cornmeal cake that the Navajo bake for a girl’s kinaalda

Fictive Kin

Individuals with close, emotionally significant bonds to a child or family, despite having no legal, biological, or marital relation.

Malinké

Guinea, Africa - Malinké Boys’ Puberty Ritual

Dayak

Borneo, Indonesia - Girls’ Puberty Ritual

Hopi

Southwest US - Hopi Naming Ceremony

Kuna

San Blas Islands - Panama - Girl's’ Flowering Puberty Ritual

Navajo

Arizona, Utah, New Mexico - Girls’ Kinaalda Puberty Ritual

Dayak Symbol

washing - purifying

Kuna Symbol

cold water, cold - life’s obstacle, water - purifies

Navajo Symbol

sun - life, beauty, truth, and all good

Malinké Symbol

blood - symbolizes life