Human sacrifice has been rare, and only for events such as the death of a king. Cannibalism is restricted to warrior tribes who eat the flesh of enemies to gain their strength. Rites of Passage Rites around birth, puberty, marriage and death have both secular and religious functions. Puberty rites can require not only training in a role in the society, but also a trial or a separation from the community. They may also involve circumcision.
Marriage frequently involves a contract and exchange of goods.
For example, among the Zulu, cattle are taken to the compound of the bride. After the marriage, the bride enters the compound of the husband's family with her face covered by a cloth and is, therefore, a non-person. If she is a lesser wife, she may remain non-person for some time. Death is ritually handled to ensure that the dead are comfortable in their new state and will not return to create problems for the living. Since misfortunes such as death are not believed to be normal events, some groups assume spirits cause them.