This article studies the initiation rituals of the mbya-Guarani in Missiones, Argentina. Puberty seems to be the most critical and dangerous time in the mbya life cycle. A person's soul is in a state of great vulnerability and can become prey to extra-human alterities of the forest. It is thus necessary to be extra careful, which includes adopting alimentary restrictions and maintaining tight control of one's behaviour. The main characteristic of the girl's ritual is the seclusion to which they are submitted, while boys, in contrast, are exposed to constant activities and public life. The iñengue and the ñe'enguchu must learn to behave according to the feminine and masculine models of mbya society, because the changes involve not only their bodies, but also the status that they will henceforth assume
Puberty rituals; Nature-culture relations; Extra-human alterities; Mbya-Guaraní ethnic group