About us – Yensomu

What is Rites?

Rites is a life-changing process grounded in traditional Afrikan values.

A rite of passage is a ceremony and marks the transition from one phase of life to another. Although it is often used to describe the tumultuous transition from adolescence to adulthood, it does refer to any of life’s transitions, such as Births and Beginnings, Initiations, Partnering, and Endings or Death). There are many passages in our lives if we choose to mark and celebrate them.

Rites Builds Community Awareness and Unity

In traditional African society, individual and group responsibilities are viewed as mutually dependent because they did not view themselves as isolated entities but rather, part of an extended family of initiates and mentors.

Gives a sense of belonging

During adolescence, peer relationship become increasingly important and during the teen years, peer acceptance take precedence over adult approval.

Teens need to belong; this desire to belong puts them at a greater risk of giving in to negative peer pressure. The African-centered rites of passage process meet their need by providing a structured, positive peer group to belong to.

The Rites program is a 5-6 months process, consisting of an assessment of readiness, bimonthly meetings, a weekend retreat and an initiation ceremony. Yensomu’s process cultivates one’s identity positively through critical thinking and learning, community competence, challenges and developing life skills, and providing candidates with a deeper connection to their history and tradition through mentoring support.

Rites Builds Self-Esteem

Besides preparing youth to make a successful passage into adulthood, one of the primary goals of Rites of passage is building self-worth and to instill a sense of identity.

In the African-centered rites of passage emphasis is placed on the principle of unity – “Umoja”. Umoja (unity) is the first principle of Kwanzaa: it teaches us to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community nation and race. We are a communal people and traditionally we believe that, spiritually and culturally all people of African ancestry are family. This is why we refer to each other as brothers and sisters. During slavery and colonization the names (cultural identity) and rights (freedom, human value) were taken away. Having your identity stolen will no doubt take it’s toll on one self-esteem. Although we are no longer physically enslaved, many are still dealing with the emotional and and psychological ramifications of racism. Rites of Passage addresses this issue by instilling cultural pride and a sense of identity.

Join our next session.