The Power of Rituals - Guideline or Risk? Painful ritual
There are rituals in all cultures. With rituals, societies can be consolidated, but also steered and instrumentalized.
Researchers decipher the origin of rituals and find clues to ceremonial acts in our ancestors. Harald Lesch explores the scientifically proven effects of rituals on people and the resulting positive and negative consequences.

Painful ritual
Boy from the Sateré-Mawé people performing the ritual of becoming a man
A very special ritual is performed by the Sateré-Mawé people in the Amazon - at the ant festival. It serves as a transition from a boy to a man. The men collect the 24-hour ant for the ritual. The bite of this giant tropical ant is considered the most painful insect bite ever. The pain lasts about 24 hours - hence the name of the ant. With the help of a leaf bud, the men anesthetize the ants and then fix them in a glove-like weave. The ants are irritated with smoke. The adolescents then have to put both hands in such gloves for several minutes. They get herbs for the extreme pain and dance in the ranks of the men until late at night. The men know that dancing together will make the pain more bearable. The ritual fulfills important functions for the Sateré-Mawé: It marks the transition from boy to man and gives strength for later challenges.