The Mawe Satare Bullet Ant Ritual

The Mawe-Satare are a tribe of Amazonian Indians. As a test of manhood, boys starting at the age of 12 must undergo a pain ritual.

Their part of the rain forest is home to the world-renowned bullet ant, so named because those that are stung by it liken the pain to that of getting shot. It is also said the pain is much like someone putting out a burning cigarette on your flesh.

This is the ritual's parts: Anywhere between 200 and 300 bullet ants are collected then dumped into a bowl containing a mixture of coconut milk and juice, then stirred around. This does not kill the ants but only renders them unconscious. While still unconscious, the ants are woven, stinger first, into a specially designed glove. When they awaken they are extremely agitated. To prove his manhood and leadership abilities, a boy then inserts one of his arms into this glove and must wear it for thirty minutes. Those who pass the time without showing any sign of pain are said to pass the ritual. Once the glove is removed, the arm of the wearer trembles uncontrollably for days. There is nothing that can be done about this whether you show pain or not, it is a response of the muscles to the neurotoxins in the venom of the ant.

What exquisite pain! What a test to endure. Surely the passing of this ritual must be among the greatest of confidence builders anywhere in the world.