Final answer:
The Sambia people's initiation process for boys is complex and not specified in exact stages. The rites of passage are culturally significant, transitioning boys to manhood through a series of rituals as described by anthropologist Gilbert Herdt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sambia people, a tribe in Papua New Guinea, have an elaborate initiation process for boys as they transition into manhood. The description provided does not specify the exact number of initiation stages for boys in the Sambia culture. However, anthropologist Gilbert Herdt's studies, which do reference the Sambia initiation process, suggest a complex series of rituals that boys undertake to become fully socialized men. This process, termed 'ritualized homosexuality' by Herdt, includes activities such as teenage boys performing fellatio on older male mentors. It's important to note that the application of Western sexual categories to such rituals may not accurately reflect the symbolic complexity of these practices.
Rites of passage like those of the Sambia are indicative of broader cultural practices where initiation rituals serve as a transition from childhood to adulthood, often involving various stages and sometimes controversial practices. These initiations are critical to understanding the diverse coming-of-age traditions that exist across different societies.