Afartan Bax

[EvolSyawla]

I was under the impression that this celebration was traditional, because it celebrates the baby's safe exit from the first 40 nights. Back then then infant mortality rate was very high, and so to celebrate your baby's life too soon was kind of like jinxing it.

However, a couple people have told me that the woman has now stopped bleeding and....?

Why the heck are we even discussing this? Within women's circles is one thing, but if that's why - then why do men talk about it? I wouldn't want a random male family member knowing I am now dahir (in every way).





So what's the real reason? I prefer it to be about celebrating life. Not a woman being able to do the doo.

[LobsterUnit]

That does make sense, since it was normal for woman to give birth every year and a have few miscarriages and failed births along the way. War dadkani "I support the feminists" waa imtixaan.

[EvolSyawla]

So....we all celebrate that she can breed right away? :S



(I said breed, because that's how crude it sounds...)

[Bella18]

People don't celebrate afartan bax down here. Other nationalities also celebrate similar thing where the woman can't leave the house for those 40 days

Sounds like xabsi to me

[LobsterUnit]

You are dealing with reer miyi culture where, according to somalinet anthropologists, a xalimo was not allowed to make eye contact during the act of making love, where knifes (daggers) were used with regards to fgm.it was and still is a tough life.war dadkani waa imtixaan.

[Lamagoodle]

Actually, the real reason for afartan bax is the convalescence of the mother after nine months of pregnancy – often complicated and labour (often painful). In the good old baadiyo days, the mom would become a queen during the afartan bax; she will be nourished ( a lot of stew, ghee, meat and much more). She will be attended to by many women. It was not unusual that female relatives arrived from afar just to make sure that the umul is fed and cherished. During these 40 days, she will not venture outside her house and there is a sense of raising her to the skies. If nature calls, she will have a walking stick. Since most somalis are muslims, the mother is not obliged to fast and thus sexual intercourse is avoided. After 40 days, the baby is taken out and introduced to the world; this is a ceremony (sometimes combined with waqlal (baptised) and the mom goes back to performing her duties. The dhaahir part comes with the package.

[Bella18]

Lol@dagger for FGM

Waa wax aan weligay maqlin, maa xoolo baa la gawracaya?

[EvolSyawla]

My afghan best friend does the same thing. So I thought it was a regional issue (infant mortality)...


Essence, Yes, they brought that up also, that she couldn't leave the house. So shes celebrating the fact that she's not bedridden? Dahir? Or that the baby is still alive? Or all of the above?

Like...maxaan u boodboodaya ?

[EvolSyawla]

Actually, the real reason for afartan bax is the convalescence of the mother after nine months of pregnancy – often complicated and labour (often painful). In the good old baadiyo days, the mom would become a queen during the afartan bax; she will be nourished ( a lot of stew, ghee, meat and much more). She will be attended to by many women. It was not unusual that female relatives arrived from afar just to make sure that the umul is fed and cherished. During these 40 days, she will not venture outside her house and there is a sense of raising her to the skies. If nature calls, she will have a walking stick. Since most somalis are muslims, the mother is not obliged to fast and thus sexual intercourse is avoided. After 40 days, the baby is taken out and introduced to the world; this is a ceremony (sometimes combined with waqlal (baptised) and the mom goes back to performing her duties. The dhaahir part comes with the package.

Lama, adeer gacaliye, once again to the rescue. Thank you!

[zumaale]

40 days plus the last few months of pregnancy, poor thirsty husbands, monogamous ones anwyay.

It should be a cause of celebration that wifey can resume service.

[Bella18]

Actually, the real reason for afartan bax is the convalescence of the mother after nine months of pregnancy – often complicated and labour (often painful). In the good old baadiyo days, the mom would become a queen during the afartan bax; she will be nourished ( a lot of stew, ghee, meat and much more). She will be attended to by many women. It was not unusual that female relatives arrived from afar just to make sure that the umul is fed and cherished. During these 40 days, she will not venture outside her house and there is a sense of raising her to the skies. If nature calls, she will have a walking stick. Since most somalis are muslims, the mother is not obliged to fast and thus sexual intercourse is avoided. After 40 days, the baby is taken out and introduced to the world; this is a ceremony (sometimes combined with waqlal (baptised) and the mom goes back to performing her duties. The dhaahir part comes with the package.

Shukran

Lama, where are you ka dhac these days? Long time eebow :

[LobsterUnit]

Thanks ustadh lama.
Yo, some people stil observe this in the west.my cousins wife and her sisters recently had a gathering to observe this.

[Lamagoodle]

Evol,
Adigaa mudan.

The diaspora has transformed afartan bax; nowadays you'd find a mom who after 2 days of birth ventures outside her home. I had a niece who gave birth on a Friday and she was at a wedding on Sunday. She saw me on the street and shouted adeer Lamagoodle. I ran like xiin faniin. I wouldn't imagine saying hello to naag umul ah.

Essense89: Areey dey waa qalanjadii. Beryahaan aduunka ayaan wareegaayey. Adiga ii waran ina adeer?

Baastounit; soo dhowow maandhow.

[Bella18]

Lama, maa sidaas baa?

Waa mahad Alle alhamdulilaah

[gegiroor]

How about Todoba Bax?