My friend, Ibrahim, who works for us recently had a new son. This is his 5th child (4 are living... 2 boys and 2 girls). It is a common story among families here to have lost one of more children to some kind of illness.
I was off flying the day Ibrahim's son was born so Krista went to the maternity center to see his wife and baby. When she arrived there, they were ready to release them so Krista piled the whole crowd into our vehicle and drove them home.
Brynn and Silas were with Krista as well. Brynn enjoyed holding the baby. They visited with Ibrahim's family and visitors for a while. Everyone wanted pictures taken, which we'll print out later and give them copies.
The local custom is to hold a bâpteme (baby naming ceremony) on the 8th day after the birth. Friends and family gather early in the morning. The local leader for the major religion comes and performs a spiritual ceremony and then the name is revealed. That name becomes the baby's first name and the first name of the father becomes their second name. It's similar to saying "Jacob son of Isaac" and "Isaac son of Abraham." The women and children gather inside the home and in the courtyard of the property.
The men gather outside the gate on the street. Plastic chairs are rented for the occasion.
Eventually, platters of food are brought to each group. Sometimes it is rice or baguette and then sauce with a few chunks of sheep, goat or chicken meat in the sauce. Everyone gathers around a platter and shares. You use the utensils that God gave you (your fingers) and scoop up a handful of rice or baguette and then use it to soak up some sauce.
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