Initiation Rituals: Bullet Ant

OUCH :(

The Sateré-Mawé Tribe

In the Brazilian Amazon, young boy in tribe mark their coming of age when they turn 13 in a Bullet Ant Initiation.

They search the jungle for bullet ants which are sedated by the leader who submerges them in an herbal solution.

Ants are then weaved into gloves with the stingers pointed inwards.

An hour or so later, the ants wake up pretty pissed, and the initiation begins.

Each boy has to wear the gloves for ten minutes.

Enduring the pain demonstrates the boys’ readiness for manhood
The more he cries, it demonstrates weakness. Each boy will build up to wear the gloves 20 times over the span of many months before the initiation is complete.

This is one of the nastier rites I've heard of. But there is always another Tribe that took it to the next level :( stay tuned for more!
Information gathered and interview from the curator of the Australian Museun