Home town country
Seven monthly events is a long tradition inherent in our culture. At
the time of entering the seventh month of pregnancy, was then performed
traditional rituals whose purpose is to smooth the mother's birth and babies
born survived.
I personally do not know very well what to do in the event of seven
monthly. The most memorable is to divide the salad. We have to make fake money
from tile to buy salad of women who are holding of seven monthly events.
Now most people are not carrying out the tradition of seven monthly
again. As moslems has replaced this event with a four-monthly event. This is
done by reference in any religion that at the age of four months of
pregnancy God breathes life into the
baby's body. The event has become more religious. Holy verses of the Koran are
chanted to pray for goodness and safety for the baby and the mother.
Moved to US
After moving to America, I also discovered a kind of seven monthly
tradition performed to mothers who are expecting the birth of a baby. This event is called baby shower.
Initially I was puzzled by the intent of this event. 'Shower' it means a bath,
shower a baby? I thought at that time. Turned out the meaning of baby shower is a kind of a small party for
mothers and babies in the womb and each of her guests come bearing gifts. So,
as if the mother and baby 'bathed' gifts are given by the guests.
The tradition of the baby shower was started in the 18th century in
Germany. At that time, the baby shower is only done to welcome their first
child. This event was originally only in the form of a tea party, which was
attended by women only. The women who already have children will give you a
kind of discourse for expectant mothers. But over time, the baby shower is now
made to welcome each of their children and men could be her guests.
In contrast, to the events of seven monthly or quarterly, held by the
family in Indonesia, a baby shower was held precisely by friends of the
prospective mother. If the prospective mother or the families who hold this
event, it would be considered inappropriate because it felt like expecting
gifts. Event venue took place also can be anywhere, depending on the organizer.
The event can be held at home, in a restaurant, or if weather permitting can be
done in the garden. The event usually starts with chatting and eating snacks.
After that, the host will start the game.
At the baby shower event, I have ever attended, the game does play
guess the name of the goods. The host showed a bunch of stuff baby needs and we
were asked to write their names. Guess who managed the answer with complete
will be rewarded. Guests who attended the event at that time came from
different countries. Some are from Brazil, France, Arab, and America itself. So
that ultimately, each person was asked to name the items in the respective
language. The main event is open the gifts. The mothers will be asked to sit
near the gift collection and opened one by one. Contrast to our tradition where
gifts will be opened in the home. In the end, the expectant mother will return
home with various prizes.
This is the reason mothers in the United States are usually not going
to shop before the baby shower implemented. Expectant mothers worry about
spending money on stuff that turns out later she will get also from cool baby shower ideas.
I personally do not have any events, quarterly or even seven monthly
during pregnancy. However, after the child was born, my friends came to bring
any form of gifts for the child that is born. There is even a friend from
another state who deliberately sends gifts and also come directly to us in the
state of Iowa. Events and traditions may not have time fulfilled. But the point
remains true, namely love and concern of small families who just complete
happiness with the presence of the baby.
