Graduation Rituals in Jordan

The class of 2006 was nervously waiting in the foyer, while their family and friends passed the security check and found a place in Amman's Cultural Palace. The 76 female graduates had undergone a complete make-over. Their brown, baggy school uniform had been replaced by a black and red gown and cap; all had visited a beautician and hair stylist and bought new high-heeled black pumps. The girls far outshone and outnumbered the 42 boys. The elite of Jordan's capital had gathered here for the graduation ceremony of two of the oldest and best private secondary schools, the Ahliyya School for Girls and the Bishop School for Boys. Like Jordan's other private schools founded by Christians in the 20th century, they serve not only the very small Christian minority (approx. 5%), but also the Muslim elite. Soon after the graduates had proudly walked onto the stage under loud cheering of family and friends, Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal entered under loud applause.

Graduation rituals are important markers of the educational career of Jordanians. Secondary schools and universities, in particular the private ones, stage elaborate rituals to mark the stages of knowledge gathering of their students. I participated in a number of them in 1989 and 2006, and collected information on several more. The data revealed three characteristics: the presence of royalty, the high expenditure on such rituals, and the publicity around them. I will describe and analyze these characteristics to gain insight in what is actually being transmitted during these rituals. I will argue that it is not only knowledge that is celebrated, but just as much social status. This is most clearly shown in the education of girls, who are not educated for the labour market but for the status of their family.

Royal patronage was very noticeable in this graduation ceremony. On my formal invitation card the name of the patron Princess Basma Bint Talal was printed in the largest letter type. In the school's year book a picture of King Abdullah adorned the first page, followed by one of Princess Basma on the second. In the speeches held by the directors of the two schools the names of Princess Basma and her brother the late King Hussein were frequently mentioned, each time leading to clapping and cheers by the public.