‘Rites of passage’ is a term used to refer to the ceremonies acknowledged by society that mark the transition from one life stage to another. Both naming ceremonies and christenings are universally acknowledged as a rite of passage. Developing a sense of self and an awareness of one’s environment is important during infancy. A rite of passage can be helpful in developing this and in the case of a christening and a Namakaran ones status can be defined clearer in society. A Namakaran is a naming ceremony traditionally practised in India as a part of Hinduism; Nama meaning name and Karan meaning to effect. A christening, commonly practised by Christians in Australia, is a ceremony which, in most cases a baby, becomes a part of a church.
Namakaran takes place on the 11th day of a child’s life as the first 10 post-natal days the mother and baby are considered impure. Therefore both mother and baby are washed in a ritual bath and the house is prepared for the ceremony. In regards to a christening this rite of passage is undertaken in a selected church. Both cultures have a traditional dress as a part of their ceremony and customs. But neither have an existing social construct at this time as both genders wear white robes, symbolising purity. This means that during this separation the infant’s status is unclear as they are temporarily removed from society for this ceremony. In both ceremonies close family and friends and priests are involved. God parents are chosen before the christening and paternal grandparents are chosen before the Namakaran, both roles entailing the same rights and responsibilities. After all the arrangements are made the infant undergoes their first socialisation process, one of Hinduism and one of Christianity.
During transition, the ceremony itself, the status of the infant is unclear. Even though both have different religious beliefs and different purposes for their ceremonies, both revolve around a purification ritual. In both ceremonies...