A Chrismation is a formal confirmation, a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood symbolizing the coming of age for teenage youths, male or female, customarily held at the age of 12 — 16. The word in this society Chrismation comes from the French, drawing from its root Chrism, which means holy rite or sacrament. Although many people in this society may see the word “Chrismation” as a reference to religion, the word “Chrismation” in the context of African culture comes from the language of the slaves in the Caribbean. Throughout the bush of the Caribbean the word Chrismation in the Creole Patois, a language developed during slavery, means “confirmation of a boy or girl” that is coming of age.
           
We knew that this word in this western society would automatically be associated with religion but we had no choice but to use the word “Chrismation” because it was the best word to explain the attire of the Rites of Passage. We have begun our outreach program in other charter schools and made available to other schools the footage of the assembly so that you can see the Rites of Passage is cultural and not religious.

The true beauty of Rites of Passage is its significance in the life of the child.  It symbolizes the formal rite of passage not only from childhood to adulthood, but also from innocence to accountability.  It is during the Rites of Passage that the child accepts responsibility for his or her actions and for the knowledge of right and wrong. 

Attire:

The formal attire of the Chrismation migrated from Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora.  The Chrismation Rite of Passage is a way to give African American youths their African identity as well as a pride of this country – America.  Through the years, many have been taught to wear African attire without an understanding of the sanctity of the clothes. This causes disrespect and division among traditionalists and splits in the African American community. The Chrismation formal presentation of the young adult before the community will allow them to know that they are African American without being forced to wear African attire, thereby instilling the morals of African traditions and respect

The child is dressed in full regalia – girls in a gown, veil, lace and jewels and boys in tuxedos – to further symbolize the formal passage into adulthood.  Girls wear a jeweled tiara with beaded “fringe” to cover the eyes.  This relates to a custom that goes back to traditional Yoruba culture whereby royalty and people of rank wore beaded crowns with beaded “fringe” which covered the eyes.

When Africans were transported to Haiti during the time of slavery, this tradition remained, but with a variation that was adapted to the circumstances of the people.  In Haiti, Brazil, and Cuba, the “crown” was recreated by using a fringed shawl, which was wrapped high around the head of the female child creating a crown shape that is arranged so the fringe of the shawl falls over the eyes, thus preserving the Yoruba tradition through this adaptation.  In Brazil the fringe later found its way back to the beaded crown. 

The African tradition of wearing three lapas (wraps) with a fourth lapa wrapped around the shoulders migrated…

to become a three-tiered skirt in Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and America.

In the formal Chrismation attire, the same three-tiered skirt with a crinoline slip under it makes the dress that was worn in the old days of Haiti and the Cultural dresses of Brazil look like a wedding gown.

Picture taken at the
Marion P. Thomas Charter School Assembly Program, Newark, New Jersey

Today, for the Chrismation—Formal Rite of Passage, the female child wears a customized headscarf with crystals sewn in to hang down over the eyes with a crystal tiara placed atop the scarf.   This is the creation of the crown and relates to both the African tradition of the beaded, fringed crown and contemporary American formal dress.  The combination of the scarf with the beads hanging low over the eyes and the crown makes the youth look like a queen for a day.

Picture taken at the
Christopher Columbus Charter School Assembly Program, Philadelphia, PA

Boys have a choice. They may wear a mantle around their neck which will list their lineage, i.e. those members of his family who preceded him: great grandparents, grandparents, parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, etc.  This list will be embroidered on the right side of the mantle.  On the other side will be listed those who made significant contributions to the child’s upbringing, education, guidance and support (teachers, counselors, mentors, etc.).  The alternative is for the male child to carry a wooden staff that would be carved with his lineage, and others important in his upbringing as mentioned above.

We have gone through great lengths to make sure that the Chrismation—Formal Rite of Passage is secular.  We realize that according to African tradition there is no separation between the physical and cultural. Yet in America the separation is codified by law.  So we keep those two separate for that reason only.  The principles of right and wrong are the same whether the foundation is secular or religious.

We are reaching out to all schools because the trials are designed to encourage children to interact with, and gain respect for, their parents, schools, elders, and society. The trials will be a challenge for everyone involved.  Many of the youths within the African American and Hispanic communities view their parents, school, elders, and society as the enemy and do not utilize their guidance to make good choices in life.  The trials are the beginning of a foundation to rebuild respect.

The foundation of the child is the family and home.  Often they are faced with challenges and may successfully pass the trials provided by these challenges.  However, these experiences, which may lead to survival, do not provide the knowledge needed to thrive, grow, and develop in today’s complex society.  Temporary survival of the challenges of inner city violence and turmoil does not supply the skills necessary to thrive in society.  Yes, young people sometimes successfully develop a plan and purpose, which allows them to overcome a trial.  They may pass that trial.  However, they cannot use those ways to pass that trial as a foundation for their life as a young adult.