The information that explains this came from my mom, who is a navajo language and culture teacher in New Mexico.
In my tribe (Navajo), its tradition to celebrate this occasion with an A’wee Chi’deedloh (Baby's first laugh ceremony). Traditionally taught, babies are from two worlds when they are born. From birth to their first laugh, they are a part of the "Holy People's" world and of ours, the "Earth People's" world. When a baby laughs, it means that they are ready to join the Earth People. In my tribe, we're taught that the baby inherits the qualities of the person who coaxes or makes the baby laugh. And the person who does this has to throw the party for them.
During this celebration, guests bring gifts for the baby.. and in turn, the baby hands out salt crystals from their right hand to symbolize the act of giving and being generous throughout their life. The salt is then consumed by the guest and their good qualities are said to be rejuvenated. According to tradition, Ashii Asdzaan (Salt Woman) set this example of giving and recieving salt as she is from the Grand Canyon salt mines.
Traditionally, the ceremony involves prayer. However, I'm not particularly religious or pray, so instead, we adapted the tradition to go as follows: baby hands out salt, guest speaks positivity into the baby's life and then the guest ingests the salt.
We invited our friends for this small party, Damon and Cortney. We all spoke positivity into Aria's life that she would be kind, funny, radiant, love life, be creative, successful, intelligent and be compassionate. As I was speaking goodness into her life, she looked at me with her sparkly eyes and big smile and I lost my train of thought. She is so easy to fall in love with, it melts your heart.
Anyway, I was caught up in the moment that I forgot to take photos. Thankfully, James popped out his phone and took some photos.
We got her some cute leggings and Damon & Cortney gave her the most adorable teddy bear. We all shared each other's company over a family recipe of spaghetti and meatballs with a side of proscuitto, wet mozzarella and tomatoes with salad and garlic bread. We finished off the evening with delicious canollis.
Big thanks to Damon and Cortney for sharing this special occassion with us!
