A’wee Chi’deedloh
The Navajo Celebration of a child's first Laugh
" The Navajo (Diné) people have a specific tradition around celebrating a baby’s first laugh.
The belief behind the tradition is that when a baby is born, she belongs to two worlds: the spirit world and the physical one. Perhaps it was because of the fragility of new life that infants were treated as still “between worlds” for those delicate first few months, until parents heard a sign of joy and wellbeing that reassured them their baby was healthy enough to survive. The first laugh is seen as a sign of the baby’s desire to leave the spirit world and join her earthly family and community."
Ingrid Fetell Lee
in http://www.aestheticsofjoy.com/2016/10/navajo-celebration-babys-first-laugh/
from her visit to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
" The Navajo (Diné) people have a specific tradition around celebrating a baby’s first laugh.
Around three months, they watch the baby closely for that first real giggle. The person who has the good fortune of eliciting that first laugh is then responsible for throwing a party, with the baby playing the role of host. As a baby can’t actually host a party, the relative or friend who coaxed out that first laugh hands out rock salt, candy, and gifts on the baby’s behalf.
The belief behind the tradition is that when a baby is born, she belongs to two worlds: the spirit world and the physical one. Perhaps it was because of the fragility of new life that infants were treated as still “between worlds” for those delicate first few months, until parents heard a sign of joy and wellbeing that reassured them their baby was healthy enough to survive. The first laugh is seen as a sign of the baby’s desire to leave the spirit world and join her earthly family and community."
in http://www.aestheticsofjoy.com/2016/10/navajo-celebration-babys-first-laugh/
from her visit to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
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