Postponing identity achievement while exploring possibilities is called

It is called "moratorium".

Identity moratorium is the condition of people who are in the middle of a crisis, whose duties are either truant or are just enigmatically characterized, yet who are currently investigating options.

During a psychosocial moratorium, a man has the chance to attempt on different characters or potentially parts before immovably focusing on one.

it depends on which society you are referring to. many civilization performed rituals so the gods would with their growing season but the most well known is that of the aztecs. they would make sacrifices, usually animals, but sometimes humans as well.