Final answer:
The liminal stage of a rite of passage is a transitional period where individuals exist 'betwixt and between' social statuses, undergo teaching or trials under the guidance of mentors, and experience social bonding.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the liminal stage of a rite of passage, individuals are in a state of transition, defined by Arnold Van Gennep as the period where they are 'betwixt and between' their previous role or social status and a new one. This phase is characterized by ambiguity of status, learning, and transformation, guided often by mentors or ritual leaders. Victor Turner expanded upon this concept, describing liminality as participant's time outside of societal structures, engaging in humility and anonymity, characterized by total obedience to the leaders who facilitate the rite. It is a socially significant period that includes trials or teachings and fosters strong social bonds or communitas among those who are undergoing the same rite of passage.