aw: super fun tuesday party

jennlin · December 2011

one of my neighbors had his baby last week, tuesday, and he said he was having a welcoming-party for the baby this tuesday, and to have h and i drop by anytime, since it'd be all day.

h and i didn't think much of it..thought we'd stop by whenever we had the time. we went out to hh with some friends, then decided to go shopping...when we got home, it was after 8pm, and we realized there were cars EVERYWHERE...double parked, blocking driveways, up and down the street outside our neighborhood...it was crazy.

h and i figured we should stop by and see the fuss, and OMG, i'm so glad we did!! our neighbor is from gambia (we think), and it was this HUGE traditional party. it happens exactly one week after the baby is born (so in this case, tuesday), and everybody that you know shows up and is *super* dressed up...in all traditional gear. i don't even know how to describe the outfits they were just BEAUTIFUL..

everybody was wearing traditional outfits, with the big, fancy, elaborate head-dresses too, the makeup was done so elaborately, big, bright, bold colors, lots of GOLD, everybody was decked out in lots and lots of jewelery...it was so beautiful to see so many people dressed up....on a TUESDAY!

there was a DJ playing traditional music, with speakers in side the house, blasting music louder than i had ever heard before, women doing traditional dances....

our neighbor said that back in africa, his family was skype-ing and having their own big-party over there at the same time (since these events are typically all day, time-zone didn't make a big difference).

h and i were under-dressed (jeans and a sweater), and the only non-black people there. it was SO much fun and really one of the most awesome experiences in my life!

for those who have been to my house...this neighbor has the same-house-layout as us, so same size....there were probably at least 75 people there....can you imagine how PACKED it was??

he also said this was the "small-version" of the party...they'd rent out a hall later on and have the "big party" on the weekend, where more people can attend.....

oh and the new mother? she was DANCING. HARDCORE! i have no idea how i'd be able to move like that *ever*, much less, one week after the baby was born.

it really was a sight to see, and i'm *so* glad i went.

thanks for reading Smile

babyaustin725 · December 2011

That sounds awesome! I wish that we (as boring several generations after immigration Americans - speaking for myself only about being boring) had some fun traditional stuff like that.

jennlin · December 2011

babyaustin725:
That sounds awesome! I wish that we (as boring several generations after immigration Americans - speaking for myself only about being boring) had some fun traditional stuff like that.

it doesn't even take several-gens.. h and i are only 2nd gen, yet we already have so many "american" traditions instilled in us that a lot of our traditions will be dying. i don't know how much longer we'll even be considered chinese!

jennlin · December 2011

LegalBritt:
I love that the most amazing thing about the experience is that it was on a TUESDAY!!! Hahahaha.

exactly!! we were so amazed seeing so many people in such an atmosphere on a TUESDAY! and such short notice, too! since neighbor said that the party must be *exactly* one week after birth.

karimychel · December 2011

That sounds like a ton of fun.

Jenn - I think you should have a similar party!

jennlin · December 2011

karimychel:
Jenn - I think you should have a similar party!

in chinese culture we do something similar at 1 month.. red egg and ginger parties. it's not nearly as elaborate (at least none of the ones i've been to!!)...so we will be doing that...usually just lunch at a chinese restaurant Smile