Last July, I had the chance to experience Evala, an important ceremony for Kabye boys. Have you ever heard of a “coming of age” ceremony? “Coming of age” describes the transition from childhood to adulthood. This phrase may sound a little old-fashioned, but it’s a useful category that allows us to bring together different ceremonies from all over the world. Different cultures have different ways of marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. In some cultures, turning a certain age marks the change. For example, you may have heard of a Quinceañera party when a girl turns fifteen years old. In other cultures, you may need to complete a certain challenge or finish part of your education. In some cultures, there is just one coming of age ceremony, while in others, there are several ceremonies as someone follows a step-by-step process to become an adult.
In Kabye culture, boys and girls have different coming of age ceremonies. The boys have several ceremonies, but the most celebrated is called Evala. Once a boy has completed Evala, he is considered a man and therefore mature enough to get married. The central part of Evala ceremony is a wrestling competition.
