Customer Reviews

Orita: Rites of passage for youth of African descent in America

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First, I want to congratulate the authors of "Orita: Rites of passage for youth of African descent in America" for an informative, inspiring, well written and beautifully designed book that charts the journey from "roots" to "responsibility". Written from first-hand experience in raising their own son, the authors have laid the foundation for a new and lasting tradition for descendants of the African Diaspora. More accurately, they have revived ancient African traditions, and demonstrated that they can work within a American modern setting. Based on scholarly research of anthropologists, educators and other professionals, and on biblical principles, the book explains all aspects of organizing an Orita rite-of-passage, including a sample program and ceremony which the authors participated in creating for their own son. It is a timely book because many of us lament the weakening of the family structure, but we don't have clue how to go about strengthening it - even within our own households. Orita provides today's families and communities with easy-to-follow guidelines for a formal initiation into adulthood for boys and girls. It offers us a clear, systematic, goal-oriented approach to building self-esteem, knowledge of finance, instilling a sense of responsibility and moral values, development of communication skills - all the things we wish for our children. But it goes beyond wishful thinking - it is an action plan that can guide parents and heritage communities through the "dangers, toils and snares" of rearing descendants of the African Diaspora in the 21st century context. As an African-American parent, the book has been helpful to me in deeply personal ways: first, it has inspired me to delve into our own family histories, songs, wisdom sayings, oral stories to find culturally-appropriate ways for celebrating our unique cultural heritage. It has also challenged me to grapple with the fairly uncharted area of becoming a better (step)parent, grandparent, godparent and community elder in order to help the younger generation become responsible, confident, God-fearing, achieving, and empowered - all that God wants them to become. Although written primarily for descendants of the African Diaspora, in exploring the Orita rites-of-passage, this book becomes a unique guide on successful parenting applicable to people of other races and ethnic backgrounds.

First, I want to congratulate the authors of "Orita: Rites of passage for youth of African descent in America" for an informative, inspiring, well written and beautifully designed book that charts the journey from "roots" to "responsibility". Written from first-hand experience in raising their own son, the authors have laid the foundation for a new and lasting tradition for descendants of the African Diaspora. More accurately, they have revived ancient African traditions, and demonstrated that they can work within a American modern setting. Based on scholarly research of anthropologists, educators and other professionals, and on biblical principles, the book explains all aspects of organizing an Orita rite-of-passage, including a sample program and ceremony which the authors participated in creating for their own son. It is a timely book because many of us lament the weakening of the family structure, but we don't have clue how to go about strengthening it - even within our own households. Orita provides today's families and communities with easy-to-follow guidelines for a formal initiation into adulthood for boys and girls. It offers us a clear, systematic, goal-oriented approach to building self-esteem, knowledge of finance, instilling a sense of responsibility and moral values, development of communication skills - all the things we wish for our children. But it goes beyond wishful thinking - it is an action plan that can guide parents and heritage communities through the "dangers, toils and snares" of rearing descendants of the African Diaspora in the 21st century context. As an African-American parent, the book has been helpful to me in deeply personal ways: first, it has inspired me to delve into our own family histories, songs, wisdom sayings, oral stories to find culturally-appropriate ways for celebrating our unique cultural heritage. It has also challenged me to grapple with the fairly uncharted area of becoming a better (step)parent, grandparent, godparent and community elder in order to help the younger generation become responsible, confident, God-fearing, achieving, and empowered - all that God wants them to become. Although written primarily for descendants of the African Diaspora, in exploring the Orita rites-of-passage, this book becomes a unique guide on successful parenting applicable to people of other races and ethnic backgrounds.

Marilyn and Warren Maye present an impressive rite of passage through Orita. I feel it is important to mention that this book, while billed as rites of passage for youth of African descent, may also be modified for use by people of all cultures interested in instilling a sense of responsibility and maturity in their emerging young men. I found through my reading that the concepts in this book carry across all cultural divides and are valuable tools for the process of entrance into manhood. The book is well thought-out and relies on time-tested techniques and insights.