Initiation With Ants | National Geographic

Summary

In the remote Amazonian village of Inhub, the Saturmawe tribe holds a brutal initiation ritual where boys as young as 12 endure the painful stings of giant tropical bullet ants. The ritual, lasting up to 11 hours, tests their courage and endurance, as they wear gloves filled with these aggressive ants. Each young man must endure the agony for over 10 minutes while dancing to distract from the pain. After surviving the venomous stings, they must repeat the process 20 times to be considered true warriors and adults in the eyes of the tribe. This grueling test is seen as a crucial rite of passage and a lesson in resilience and sacrifice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Satur Mawe tribe's initiation ritual involves young boys sticking their hands into gloves filled with bullet ants, known for their painful stings.
• 😀 The ritual is a test of courage and endurance, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood in the tribe.
• 😀 Boys as young as 12 are required to undergo this painful ritual, which can last for up to 11 hours in total.
• 😀 The bullet ants' venom causes intense pain, with neurotoxic effects that lead to temporary paralysis and swelling in the hands.
• 😀 Ted Belra, the focus of the ritual, is preparing for his first experience with the bullet ant gloves, with 19 more sessions to follow.
• 😀 The ants are captured and drugged to reduce their aggression temporarily before being placed in the gloves.
• 😀 Each young man must endure the pain for over 10 minutes as part of the ritual, with the venom's effects growing worse as time passes.
• 😀 The tribe’s medicine man leads a dance around a sacred pole to help distract the initiates from the excruciating pain.
• 😀 The ritual is not only a physical challenge but also a spiritual one, symbolizing the initiate's readiness to take on adult roles in the tribe.
• 😀 The chief of the tribe believes that suffering and effort are necessary to make a man truly worthy, and the ritual is seen as essential for personal growth.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the ritual described in the script?

The ritual is an initiation process for young boys to prove their courage and readiness to become adult warriors in the Satur Mawe tribe. It involves enduring the pain of being stung by giant tropical bullet ants.

At what age do boys typically begin the initiation process?

Boys as young as 12 years old participate in the ritual as part of their transition into adulthood.

What makes the bullet ants so dangerous during this ritual?

Bullet ants possess a neurotoxic venom that causes intense pain, paralysis, and swelling when stung. The venom attacks the nerves and can incapacitate the individual for hours.

How many times must the initiates wear the ant gloves?

The initiates must wear the ant gloves 20 times to be considered true warriors in the tribe.

What is the significance of the ants in the tribe’s culture?

The ants are seen as a perfect test of one’s worthiness to take on adult roles within the tribe, symbolizing strength and endurance through their painful sting.

How are the bullet ants prepared for the ritual?

The ants are drugged by soaking them in an herbal solution to calm them down before they are placed in the gloves.

What happens to the young men once they have worn the ant gloves?

After wearing the ant gloves and enduring the stings, the initiates experience intense pain, swelling, and paralysis. Their hands remain affected by the venom for several hours, and the pain gradually dissipates over the next 24 hours.

How does the medicine man assist the initiates during the ritual?

The medicine man leads the initiates in a dance around a sacred pole to help distract them from the pain and suffering caused by the ant stings.

What is the chief’s perspective on the ritual and its value?

The chief believes that the ritual not only marks the initiation of the young men into adulthood but also helps make them better individuals. He sees suffering and effort as essential for a meaningful life.

How does Ted feel after completing the ritual for the first time?

Ted describes the sensation as feeling like his body is overheating, and he compares it to a motor getting hot. Despite the intense pain, he remains standing and committed to completing the ritual 19 more times.