John Van Gennep

Arnold van Gennep was a cultural anthropologist best known for his work on rites of passage—ceremonies marking important life transitions like birth, puberty, marriage, and death. He introduced the concept that these rites have three key stages: separation (detaching from the old state), transition (a liminal or in-between phase), and incorporation (rejoining society with a new status). His ideas help explain how societies structure and give meaning to life's major changes, emphasizing the importance of rituals in maintaining social order and individual identity during these pivotal moments.