Rites of Passage

Some metaphors are timeless needing no explanation, offering none but always being presented for viewing. Rites of Passage - The metaphor of a woman’s life is presented from various perspectives, the principal view being that from the eyes of young girl as she journeys towards womanhood.

It can be said that all of mankind is on a journey, how the journey progresses and the success that we achieve is often as a result of how well prepared we are. Bethel’s production sought to highlight the difficulty that is the journey and the struggle for preparation for the way ahead.

The importance of traditional rituals associated with birth are depicted. Experiences that define the self, cause maturity and widen awareness.

Though there were sombre themes presented such as teenage pregnancy and the hard realities of a woman’s life struggling to rear children, dealing with less than equal men; there is an equal amount of joy and laughter as old teaches young in the timeless fashion of societies.

Wisdom is represented in the form of wise old men who tell stories with a moral theme. One such kernel of wisdom tells of the capricious nature of men who father children yet disown them to avoid responsibilities.

"Before ramgoat tek wife, all ah dem pickney he own. After he tek wife none ah dem pickney he own."

Rites of Passage presents a microcosm of Tobago’s society that is filled with traditional dialect, folk medicines, social customs and lessons in life as they are being lived by both the young and old. There is the distinct feeling that the lessons being presented are speaking directly to the youth. Indeed the onlookers often made comments such as "well we know Heritage in good hands".

The Heritage reaffirms the values of society and challenges youth to accept their heritage. Not only that but as Bethel demonstrated, the youth are eager to respond to the challenge, embracing their heritage with both arms.

The challenges of life on the island are dramatised in these presentations.