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History of Ceremonies
Many early cultures had ceremonies and rituals for the first menstruation of young women. In the Greek culture, a temple was built for the rituals. Early Semitic tribes in the Indo-European area, African, Asian and Native American groups honored the first bleeding. Later, the women of Hebrew culture celebrated the first bleeding of young women by a ritual of anointing oils and praying together for health and fertility. Most societies were celebrating the blessings of fertility as each young woman became physically able to conceive children. It was a time of publicly acknowledging that the woman was now ready for the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood.
The word menarche comes from the Greek words mene, which means moon, and arche, which means beginning.. It marks the beginning moon, the first menstration, or first moon.
Cultures around the world have many different menarcheal customs. Many Native American tribes are known for celebrating and honoring this very important time in the girl's life. I read somewhere that cultures that honor and celebrate their young women at first menstruation and truly value them are cultures that are less violent towards women.
The Navajo and Apace menarche ceremonies are some of the best known. They had elaborate celebrations in which the menarcheal girl assumes a position of great respect in society. In southern India, menarche is a time for great rejoicing with gifts, new clothing, ceremonial baths, and feasting. Relatives come from all over the world to be part of the celebration.
To the Pygmies in central Africa, menstrual blood is a gift, gratefully and joyously received by the entire community. The girl who has reached menarche goes into seclusion, taking with her all her young friends and an older female relative who will teach them the arts and crafts of motherhood. This period of seclusion is followed by a celebration lasting a month or two, with friends traveling from near and far to pay their respects.
Other cultures isolate the girl as a protective measure, believing her supernatural powers to be so great at this time that she may endanger the entire community as well as herself. Seclusion also provides an opportunity for the girl to meditate, dream, receive visions, and prepare for her new role in the group.
- New Definition of
Womanhood - Need for Ceremony
- History of Ceremonies
- Celebrate Girls
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