Page 15 - Oct-Dec 2019

VOL. 16 No. 4
mY firST food TAhNEEK TASTE

Tahneek is an Islamic ceremony
A few months after the birth of the child, the baby is given a taste of grain in which a small piece of softened
for the first time. This is celebrated through a ceremony commonly known date is rubbed on the palate of the
as Annaprashana. It is called by different names in different regions. newborn, right after birth.
S. Sarausma, IX MOON, Sri Seshaas
International Public School,
Adivaram, Salem
MUKHE BHAAT CHOROONU
Celebrated in Bengal, the name Choroonu is an auspicious
of this ceremony literally means day for a new born baby in
‘rice in your mouth’. For baby girls, a Hindu family in Kerala. It
it is performed in odd months and is the day when the baby is
for boys in even months. The baby fed starch for the first time. It
must be dressed in the finest Photo by: Sushmita Das, is held in a temple. First, the Photo by: Gokul R. Nair,
traditional attire with jewellery and IX B, D.A.V. Model School, priest does a puja, and then Jankidevi Public School,
flower ornaments. The eyebrows I.I.T. Kharagpur the prasad, which is a type of kheer Sanganer, Jaipur
are embellished with dotted sandalwood. The baby is made of rice, is fed to the child.
served with many dishes in bowls. Finally, the elders feed the child rice for the first time.

aakansha Paul, st. Margaret’s hr. secondary school, Peachlands, shillong gokul r. Nair, Vi b, Jankidevi Public school, sanganer, Jaipur

THE FIRST TASTE

Traditionally, many Hindu and Muslim communities believe that to
ensure that the child speaks sweetly, his or her first taste should be that
of something sweet. In Hinduism, this ritual is called Jatakarna and is
performed on the day of the child’s birth. The newborn baby is placed on
the father’s lap. The father uses either a golden spoon or his little finger to
place a little bit of ghee and honey under the baby’s tongue.

sidhi sareen, Vii b, Convent of Jesus and Mary, ambala Cantt.
Photo by: Akshara Ahuja, VIII A, Convent of Jesus and
Mary, Ambala Cantt.

My DESTINy DELIGHTFUL LADOOS
In the ceremony 1. Books, which symbolise In the Parsi culture, there are
of Annaprasanna, knowledge two ceremonies which involve
the feeding of the 2. Jewels or gold, symbolising ladoos. When the child sits up
child is followed by wealth
a very fascinating 3. Pen, symbolising wisdom straight for the first time, he or
ritual. A number of 4. Clay, symbolising property she is made to sit on a stool,
symbolic objects 5. Food items, symbolising surrounded by besan ladoos

Photo by: Greeshma, VII B, Gitanjali are kept on a love for food and given gifts. This ceremony
Devakul School, Kukatpally banana leaf or silver 6. Mirror, symbolising beauty is called Besna. After taking
Hyderabad
tray in front of the 7. Sweets, symbolising the first steps, the pag ladoo
child. The child is happiness ceremony is done, when
encouraged to pick up or grasp any one object. 8. Fruit, symbolising health special coconut and rice flour
This is supposed to symbolise the child’s destiny. r. sahana, iX a, Trinity academy, senior ladoos are made, out of which
The family members cheer the baby while it secondary school, Cbse, Thiruvarur two are shaped like feet.
makes a choice.

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