A baby binding party

On May 9th, the 3rd born son in our home stay, had his first child; a son. Mother and baby were in the hospital for 5 days. Once they arrived home, Grandma went accompanied by the 3 year old of our family to help out with the baby. It turns out while she was there "helping out" she sewed new dresses for all her daughters/daughter-in-laws on the new mother's sewing machine. She even made me a dress.

We've been waiting for the baby's umbilical stub to fall off. Once it had the baby could be bound to the cradle. And of course that is a reason to celebrate. I received last minute news of the celebration and had other things planned for the day, so I didn't get to stay the entire day. But here are the pictures from the parts I did see.

A walnut is beat against the bed with a stone. Both the mother's grandmother and sister took their turns at whacking the nut. The banging is supposed to accustom the baby to noise so they won't be easily scared.

Both of the baby's grandmother's took turns at offering a prayer of blessing. It feels kind of awkward to take pictures while they are praying, but Grandma ordered me to do it. They're really into the pictures!

Then there was the donning of various things to keep away the evil eye. The new mother was rubbed with a burnt onion by her grandmother; the baby’s great grandmother. And then the baby was dotted with flour on his forehead.

It was all a quick flurry of activity and then it was over. After which we all sat and enjoyed some kebab and chips. The full 3 course meal followed late into the afternoon, but I wasn’t able to stay for that part. A monumental day, the baby has been bound.