History The Mayan Civilization Questions
The Mayan rituals for initiation and coming of age varied among different Mayan city-states and social classes. However, a common ritual for both boys and girls was the piercing of their ears or other body parts, symbolizing their transition into adulthood. Other rituals included fasting, purification ceremonies, and the performance of specific tasks or challenges to prove their readiness for adulthood. Additionally, the Mayans believed in bloodletting rituals, where individuals would offer their blood as a sacrifice to the gods, often through self-inflicted wounds. These rituals were seen as a way to establish a connection with the spiritual realm and ensure the individual's successful transition into adulthood.