Since ancient times, moving to a new house has been associated with changes for the better. There are beliefs and customs related to a change of residence, as well as to almost all things that happen first in life of the Turkmens. Since ancient times, the significant events have been including ceremonies such as the birth of a baby, the cutting of the first tooth, the first haircut, returning from military service, wedding, etc.
Each Turkmen family with great joy and happiness accepts the news and celebrates the birth of a baby in the family. This long-awaited holiday for the family is called “Bäbek toý” or “Pişme toý”. On this day, various national dishes are cooked; sweets and toys are handed round. Friends and relatives come to celebrate the joyful event and help in preparations for the celebration.
Since ancient times, care for the health and life of a child began long before the birth in the form of an attentive and sensitive attitude towards the mother. And with the birth of a child, the rite of sacrifice was performed, during which the ram was slaughtered, as well as the rite of naming the child was performed. The traditions associated with the birth of a baby are still kept today, however with some adjustments from the modern life of the Turkmen people.
The very first holiday related to the birth of a baby is, of course, a solemn journey to the maternity hospital and back. When you leave the hospital, it is customary to decorate the car with toys and various interesting stickers. This tradition has been firmly established for several years now.
Upon returning home, according to a custom, the baby is swaddled in white and tied an “alaja” amulet. Alaja is also tied to the cradle (“sallanchak”) of the child, and bread is put under the pillow. This is popularly believed to protect the new family member from “wind, water, evil eyes and tongue”. Good wishes are expressed for the child.
Today, during the opening of new buildings in Ashgabat, theatrical performances about the traditions and rituals of the Turkmen people were shown, which have not lost their relevance today.
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Myahri YAGMUROVA,
photo by Suleiman CHARIYEV
Chinese New Year