‘Boys were frequently dressed as girls in such contexts; child-priests may originate in initiation rituals; and the death of the youths in the sanctuary is reminiscent of the common mythology of initiation, in which the initiands die.’
‘During this ambiguous period, the common attributes of initiands are stressed, originating a peculiar social bond that Turner calls communitas.’
‘The ritual dissolution of normal social forms, as initiands are ritually refashioned, allows for a juggling of the normal factors of existence, a freeing of creative potential.’
‘On physical return the initiands find that they are different, they do not see things the same way they once did.’
‘A more sinister reading also presents itself: given that this is an induction into a cult, the initiated may be preparing to program or reprogram the initiand.’
Origin
Early 20th century from Latin initiandus, from initiare ‘to initiate’.
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