A Local-Style Birthday Party

Last week we were cordially invited, as the only foreign people, to a local birthday party celebrating a coworker’s daugther’s 3rd birthday.  The party was held at their home 30 minutes outside our city.  We felt very honored to be invited since we were the only “white” people going.

Mom and birthday girl on the left

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by everyone at the party, which was mostly extended family and a few other of our local “office” staff who came.  We felt like celebrities for sure.  This was our first birthday party.  We discovered they are much like American birthdays except for one thing.  In celebration of the day, they roast an animal over a fire pit.  It was quite disturbing for us, but no one else seemed to find it as troublesome as we did. 

Enjoying the meal and mosquitos

Dinner-insides and all

The party began with food and fellowship picnic style on the front lawn.  We strategically sat to where we wouldn’t have to stare at the animal while we were eating.  Both of us did eat a little of the meat from the animal though.  I don’t think we would have minded it so much if we wouldn’t have seen where it came from.  We were both able to practice our language and meet new people, so we had a great time just mingling with everyone.  After dinner, they brought out a cake with candles and sang “Happy Birthday” 3 times in English.  Apparently, they don’t have any other version.  The little girl blew out the candles, and then the cake was cut.  Here is where it got interesting.  Only 4 people were given cake-the birthday girl, her grandmas on both sides, and her grandpa.  No one else was served cake or came to get cake, so needless to say we didn’t have any.  In their culture, you don’t open gifts in front of the people who gave them to you so after the cake, people just sat around talking and eventually people departed for the evening.

Grandma and birthday girl (grandma works at the office with J)

It was fun to experience birthday parties their style and practice our language.  We know through this party, we will have many more opportunities to share with this family.  We were even invited back  for another evening in a few weeks or so!

L, birthday girl, and mom (mom works at the office with J)