The first menstration is an event so important in a woman's life that most of us never forget when it happened, how it felt, and who was there.

What happens during a girl's first menstruation can affect her for years to come, influencing how she feels about her periods, her sexuality, and her womanhood.

Celebrating the transition from girl to woman acknowledges her transformaton, growth and evolution, inspires blossoming self-esteem, honor and self-respect and shows her you value her. It gives her the clear message the menstruation is natural and healthy.

I. Create a setting.

II. Mother and daughter reflection time.

IV. Ideas for teachings

VI. Ideas for gifts:

VII. Ceremony

INSPIRATION AROUND THE WORLD

Inspiration for Passage Party celebrations can be found in many cultures. African, Asian, and American Indian groups have honored the first bleeding with dance, song, gifts, and feasts. There are also special expressions for menarche, such as the lovely Japanese "year of the cleavage of the melon" or the ancient Indian "flower growing in the house of the god of love."

Many American Indian tribes have celebrated with beautiful and poignant ceremonies. Probably the best known is the Navajo Kinaalda, still celebrated in many Families. It follows a typical tripartite structure of rites of passage: first, in the "rite of separation," the girl is secluded; next, in the "liminal state," she receives instruction on womanhood, sexuality, and childrearing from female elders; finally, the entire community honors the girl, who becomes Changing Woman, an important deity, and is reincorporated into the everyday realm with a new status and a position of respect.

In the south of India and Sri Lanka, Brahman communities perform Samati Sadang, a traditional ritual to bless the girl with a fertile life. Regardless of their caste status, all Indian girls at the onset of menstruation and upon completion of seclusion, are celebrated by visiting women and presented with gifts. Balinese girls are adorned and carried to the temple for religious offerings and blessings, followed by a big feast.

The Asante people of Ghana celebrate with a party in the girl's honor; she's treated like royalty and given gifts, accompanied by singing and dancing. The Gwi of southern Africa celebrate menarche by decorating the body of the young woman with intricate patterns. The Dagara people of West Africa not only celebrate girls at menarche but also perform rituals for any menstruating woman, believing that at that time of the month, women carry within them healing energy and are capable of great insights.

Celebrating the transition from girl to woman acknowledges her transformaton, growth and evolution, inspires blossoming self-esteem, honor and self-respect and shows her you value her. It gives her the clear message the menstruation is natural and healthy. Inspire your daughter to claim her feminine wisdom by celebrating her menarche.