Grayson Perry: Rites of Passage: Season 1, Episode 3

1 - 3: Birth

Grayson Perry continues his exploration of the importance of ritual in our lives. Bringing a child into the world is surely one of the most consequential things we can do, but how should we celebrate this life-changing moment? Grayson Perry begins his exploration of rituals for birth on the Indonesian island of Bali, where, in local tradition, a new-born child is seen as not fully part of our human world until it is 105 days old. Until that time, it's considered the height of misfortune if it should ever touch the ground. So, for its every waking moment it is constantly held by its parents and their family and friends. It's the ultimate expression of the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. When the baby reaches its 105th day, the family stage an elaborate ceremony where the child is allowed to touch the earth for the first time. Grayson experiences this beautiful ritual, and believes that we can all learn something from it.