Last weekend, our neighbors invited us to attend an Indian Festival. Elliott was very willing to stay home with Brooke, and so I took William and Aubrey and we attended a celebration for Navaratri Raas Garaba. Rass Garaba is a type of circular dance that is performed during the Nine Nights (Navaratri) celebration.
Kiran (my neighbor) helped outfit us. She let me borrow one of her old outfits, I think it is called a choli. Then, I took a sari that my brother, Ben, gave me from his mission; and I wrapped it around Aubrey and pinned it in place. William was fairly boring and just wore pants and a polo shirt. Kiran also let me borrow some bangles and a necklace...very festive.
The festival, held in a local middle school gym, is to celebrate many of the Hindu goddesses. In the middle of the gym there was a table set-up with the idol of a goddess and a tray of candles. Aubrey went up to get a closer look and then came back and said, "Mom, why does the statue have a lot of arms?" I really didn't have an answer - but I later found out that it is a representation of how she can do many things at one time.
To begin the festival, everyone gathered around the goddess and they sang a song....a 20 minute long song. Everyone took turns coming before the goddess and holding the tray of candles. Once everyone that wanted a turn had one, the dancing began.
Circles were formed around the idol and everyone performed the same dance. I got up there with Kiran and she showed me how to do it. As you do the moves, you continue to go around in a circle. This went on for about 30 minutes, and then it was time for the next dance.
This one was also circular...surprise, surprise. The moves were a little different than the first, plus there were two different variations that you could do. We decided to try the one that Kiran had never done before. After a few wrong turns and a couple of run-ins with other people, I think I figured it out.
The third dance was the "stick dance." Everyone grabbed two sticks and then small groups were formed into rows (think square dancing). You would stand across from someone and tap your own sticks together, then tap right sticks together with the other person, then tap left sticks, tap your own together again, tap right sticks, and then move over to the next person and start again.
At first I had a difficult time figuring it out. I couldn't get it....but why? I knew it couldn't be that difficult...and then I figured it out! I was having a hard time because half the people in our group were doing it differently. One person would show me one way, than another person would show me a different way. Also, there was one guy that couldn't keep the rhythm. You're supposed to tap when the drum beats, and he was always a step ahead. The best part was that people kept looking at me and just smiling that, "oh, she's new to this....look at her mess up....how sweet..." smile.
After the stick dance we had to take off. It was already after 11 pm and the kids were exhausted. It was a fun time being able to learn about another culture and pick-up some new dance moves. Who knows - maybe I'll get a chance to use them again some day.
7 comments:
that is so great that ya'll were able to do that. it is so fun to teach your kids (and even learn yourself) about other cultures and religions.
i'm sure you were a better dancer than you let on. :)
That is so cool! Wish i had more Indian friends that would invite me to parties. Can't wait to see your new moves...ward talent show?????
ps you look so pretty in your indian dress
I would have LOVED this. Call me next time. :)
That sounds awesome. Did you love their food?
I just realized I never emailed you back. Thanks for the info about piano books. I grew up with Alfred, but I didn't know if there were new ones that are better. I do remember the Bastian series too. I'm going to take a trip to the music store and check them all out!
What a neat and unique opportunity. You both look beautiful in your Indian attire.
Where is the forehead jewel? That is great that you can teach Aubrey about diferent cultures while she is young. I didn't know jack about other cultures till I was 19 and went to mexico.
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