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Sateré-Mawé: Bullet ants -

The Sateré-Mawé tribe from Brazil has probably the world's most painful coming-of-age ritual. 

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Sateré-Mawé: Bullet ants - When boys turn 13, they have to wear gloves filled with bullet ants for 10 minutes. The have to do this 20 times over the course of a few weeks.

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Hispanic: Quinceañera - Celebrated when a girl turns 15, the tradition is supposed to represent a girl moving into womanhood. 

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Hispanic: Quinceañera - This tradition is mostly celebrated in Latin America, and a big party is held.

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Jewish: Bar Mitzvah - Bar Mitzvah, which means "Son of Commandment" is the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for 13-year-old boys. This ritual marks the moment a boy becomes responsible for his own actions and it works as a demonstration of commitment to Jewish law.

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Jewish: Bat Mitzvah - A similar ceremony is held for girls when they turn 12 (though age sometimes varies within subsects of Judaism) and officially become "bat mitzvah."

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Pentecost Island, Vanautu: Naghol - Naghol, or land diving, is a ritual practiced in this South Pacific island.  It consists of jumping off wooden towers with a leg strapped to a vine. Unlike bungee jumping, the rope doesn't stretch, making it very dangerous.

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Pentecost Island, Vanautu: Naghol - As part of the ritual, boys are initiated by their mothers, who throw them off the tower into their first jump.

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Inuit: North Baffin Island - In the North Baffin Island, Inuit boys between the ages of 11 and 12 go out into the wilderness with their fathers.

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Inuit: North Baffin Island -

This is to test their hunting skills and get them acclimatized to the harsh weather conditions. Traditionally only boys would do this, but girls are now also going through this rite of passage. 

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Amish: Rumspringa - Rumspringa essentially means "running around." When Amish kids turn 16, they are free to go out unsupervised on weekends and experience whatever they please.

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Amish: Rumspringa - This means that some opt for simple things such as wearing modern clothes, while others indulge in alcohol and drugs. Rumspringa is a reminder that they do not have to stay in the church and are free to leave before they are baptized if they so choose.

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Malaysia: Khatam Al Koran - The ceremony takes place for boys after they're circumcised, and for girls when they turn 11.

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Malaysia: Khatam Al Koran - Boys and girls are expected to complete the study of the Quran and read some passages.

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Catholicism: Confirmation - Confirmation is one of the sacraments Catholics have to go through during their Christian lives. 

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Catholicism: Confirmation - The age for confirmation is around 14, and it essentially means they will be closer with the Holy Spirit.

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Philippines: Debut - The debut is a big celebration that takes place when a girl turns 18.

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Philippines: Debut - The number 18 is of utmost importance during the celebration. For instance, 18 men are supposed to bring the girl 18 roses, 18 friends will bring her 18 presents, etc.

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American: Sweet 16 - Sweet sixteen parties are a big thing for North American teenagers. 

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American: Sweet 16 -

Being legally allowed to drive, some 16-year-olds even get cars as a present!

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Cambodia: Pheng Kro Mom / Pheng Kom Lost - Khmer people's coming-of-age ceremony takes place when a teenager turns 14.

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Cambodia: Pheng Kro Mom / Pheng Kom Lost - A big party is thrown for the boys, where they are called "Pheng Kom Lost" and the girls, who are called "Pheng Kro Mom."

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Japan: Seijin No Hi - Seijin No Hi is Japan's national "Coming of Age Day." It's so important in Japan that it's actually a holiday.

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Japan: Seijin No Hi - It takes place on the second Monday of January, and celebrates men and women who have turned Japan's legal age, 20.

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China: Guan Li - This ancient Confucian tradition is celebrated in China. The ceremony held for boys is called Guan Li and the one for girls is called Ji Li.

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China: Ji Li - Girls get their hair washed, combed, and then decorated with traditional pins. It was traditionally held when the girl was 15 years old and engaged, though occasionally they waited for her wedding day.

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Hamar: Cow jumping - The Hamar from Ethiopia have a very unique rite of passage: cattle jumping.

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Hamar: Cow jumping - The tradition consists of running across the backs of a line of cattle.

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Korea: Gyerye/Gwanrye - The third Monday of May marks the celebration of men who turn 20 (Gwanrye) and woman who turn 15 years old (Gyerye).

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Korea: Gyerye -

Girls wear traditional clothes and are given three symbolic gifts: perfume, roses, and a kiss.

See also: Visiting South Korea, the Land of Morning Calm

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