Arnold van Gennep

Arnold van Gennep was a French anthropologist known for studying how people transition through key life events, such as coming of age, marriage, or death. He introduced the concept of the "rite of passage," which describes the structured ceremonies that mark these changes. These rituals typically have three stages: separation (leaving old roles behind), liminality (a transitional, in-between phase), and incorporation (accepting a new social status). His work helps us understand the universal patterns in human culture that celebrate life's milestones and societal shifts.