Initiate

Quote

For the first time since the rites began the initiate appears outside her house with her head uncovered. For the first time too she walks barefooted. As normally a chief or queen-mother is considered to have abdicated or been destooled when their feet touch the ground, this day can be said to see the end of the ‘queenship’ of the girl and therefore also of her sacredness.

• Source: Sarpong, Peter. Girls’ nubility rites on Ashanti. Tema: Ghana Pub. Corp., 1977.
• Culture: Akan
• Location: Africa