In the past, various ceremonies were held for the birth of a baby in Mazandaran province. In this article, we will review these ceremonies. Stay with Saad News.
Iran is a land of rich culture and lively traditional rituals. Many customs, although forgotten by many these days, are still preserved by those who remain loyal to their traditions. These customs play a significant role in various celebrations and ceremonies. In the past, in Mazandaran province and villages like Iman Abad and Krokala, there were unique rituals for the birth of a child, starting from the moment the woman found out she was pregnant, all the way to various celebrations that occurred throughout the child's early years. These customs were full of ethical and social lessons and brought about a special sense of joy and vibrancy.
In the past, in Mazandaran, when a woman became pregnant for the first time, she would inform her sister-in-law (Shi Khaher), who would then pass the news to the father of the child. It was considered disrespectful for the woman to inform her husband directly. She would also inform her friend, who would then share the joyful news with the child's grandparents. This person, known as "Khore Yar" in the village, would receive a gift from the parents of the bride for delivering the good news. The parents of the bride, upon hearing the news, would bring gifts like local sweets, bread, and even a goose or turkey to their daughter and son-in-law's home. In the past, there was a strong preference for sons, as they were seen as vital laborers in rural families, and daughters were believed to eventually marry and leave. Even during pregnancy, women in rural areas would continue to work in the fields, including rice paddies, cotton fields, and vegetable gardens. Midwives or local birth attendants would advise women to refrain from going to work a few days before giving birth to avoid complications during labor.
A few hours after the baby was born, it was time to name the child. To choose a suitable name, the father would visit his parents for their approval. If the grandparents were still alive, they would also be consulted, as would the father and mother of the groom. Sometimes, the selection of a name extended to older brothers or uncles. The naming process could take several hours or even one or two days, as various family members were consulted. The name would typically be chosen from close relatives who had passed away in the past year, even if it was not the parents' preferred name. After the name was chosen, the attendees would say blessings and prayers for the child. Those who could read and write would note the child's name and the birth date in the Quran.
The "Gahrevani" ceremony, or cradle binding, is a longstanding tradition in Mazandaran, especially in villages like Lavij. Although it is no longer practiced entirely in its traditional form, this ceremony is still observed today. Before the baby was born, the bride's mother would prepare clothing, a wardrobe, and other necessary items for the baby within her financial means, with the cradle being one of the most important items. On the third day after the child's birth, the bride's mother would give these items to her daughter and son-in-law as gifts and invite relatives to join in the cradle binding ceremony. The ceremony itself was a gathering of relatives, who would celebrate the new arrival with music, singing, and joy. The eldest relative, typically the mother-in-law, would start the ceremony by placing the baby in the cradle, and walnuts would be cracked over the cradle to ensure the baby would not suffer from toothaches in the future. The ceremony continued with prayers and poems for the child to protect it from natural disasters and fear. Guests would be treated to sweets, nuts, and other refreshments, and at the end, they would give gifts to the baby.
When the first signs of teething appeared in the baby, the "Dantoori" ceremony would be held. During this ceremony, the child's mother, along with female relatives, would cook a special rice pudding and share it with the neighbors and family. Each person who received the pudding would place a gift in the bowl, which could include socks, scarves, or money. The gifts were kept by the mother for the child and were saved for later use, possibly even contributing to the child's future expenses if financial difficulties arose.
In the past, new mothers and babies didn't go to the bathhouse immediately after birth. Instead, they waited ten days for the "Deh Hammam" ceremony, which would be held on the tenth day. The mother of the bride would prepare clothes and other items for the baby and bring them to the daughter's house. The ceremony would be accompanied by local songs, dances, and the arrival of relatives with gifts for the baby. During this ceremony, the mother and baby would go to the public bathhouse, where relatives and neighbors would help wash the baby, accompanied by prayers.
In Mazandaran, if the child was a girl, the "Gosh Rahkri" ceremony would be held, during which the baby's ears would be pierced. This ceremony typically took place when the baby was a few months old and was done by a local woman known as the "Gosh Rahkr." The ear-piercing process involved using a sewing needle and alcohol to numb the ear before piercing it, followed by prayers.
In Mazandaran, as in many other parts of Iran, the circumcision ceremony was a significant event. It usually took place with a feast and celebration, often resembling a wedding party. The family would invite musicians, provide food, and give gifts to those attending. Some families, particularly those who had children late in life, would make the circumcision ceremony an elaborate affair, as they wanted to celebrate the event with their loved ones before they could no longer attend their son's wedding.
Conclusion How are birth ceremonies held in your city? We hope you enjoyed reading this article and would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section.
