YOUR average Northerner's rite of passage might involve guzzling his first alco-pop or seeing his first football match.

But for exotic visitors to the City of Sunderland College yesterday, their entry into the adult world had worldly- wise Wearsiders wincing in horror.

An Amazonian Indian visiting the region startled students at the college's Shiney Row campus with his teenage trial of strength.

Jose Bonifacia, a member of the Baniwa tribe, told students how, as a 14-year-old, he had to fill a glove with stinging ants, slip on the glove, and perform a song and dance ritual while the insects attacked his hand.

College lecturer Peter Mulligan said: "He described a real lesson in dealing with pain and suffering.

"The amazing thing is that the lads there can't wait to do that, to prove they are a man. The lads in my class just winced."

Jose, along with Zenilda Vilacio Da Silva, a female leader of the Satere people, spoke through an interpreter and held the students' full attention with tales of fighting for their identity in a modern Brazil that does not recognise them.

"They are fighting for their rights, for education, health and identity," said Mr Mulligan. "Their visit is important because they need people from countries like Britain to help them develop their autonomy."

The pair have just taken part in an exhibition of native Brazilian art at London's British Museum, entitled Unknown Amazon.