MOTHERS AROUND THE WORLD: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

MOTHERS AROUND THE WORLD: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Mothers all over the world create memories, teach important lessons and bring beauty and joy to members of their families. Although mother’s Day became a national holiday in United States of America in 1914, it actually began in ancient Rome long ago. Since then, countries around the globe including Nigeria have chosen to set aside a special day to honor mothers. Many countries celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May while others honor mums on may 10 each year.

UNIQUE TRADITIONS
Mothers in every country have special traditions they have handed down to their children for generations.

• While they are in labor, mothers from the Central African Republic call out “EL-OH mama ti mbi, ti mbi aso mbi.” This means “EL-oh mother of mine, my belly hurts me.” Their mothers answer by saying, “Kanda be ti MO!” this basically means, “Tough it out!”

• In China, craving spicy food indicates a woman is going to have a girl. If she craves sour food, she anticipates a boy. New mothers also are expected to rest in bed for 30 to 40 days without bathing.

• In Japan, pregnant women often receive gifts of Shriasu, that is, small white fish. Japanese grandmothers help care for their daughters and new grandchildren four (4) weeks after the birth of the baby.

• Expectant mothers in Mexico refrain from walking through cemeteries or attending funerals. Many new babies and their mothers are cared for 40 days after the birth.
• In Guatemala mothers eat sweet bread and drink hot chocolate soon after babies are born.

•Mothers in Nigeria do not hang pin around their wrappers when pregnant. It is also a known fact (call it sentiment if you like) that Nigerian women believed walking under the sun is dangerous.

• During the postnatal period in Ghana, some mothers believe their stomach will stay fat if they do not keep their legs crossed.

• Pregnant Inuit mothers in northern Canada do not wear rings or braids and try not to blow bubbles with their gum or blow up balloons. New babies are greeted with a handshake by members of their families.

• In order to prevent their babies from being born with squinted eyes, mother in Uganda do not drink water while they are standing.

• If a woman’s labor in Bihar, India, takes too long she may be asked to drink a glass of water in which her mother-in-law’s toe has been dipped!

CARING FOR CHILDREN
- Throughout the years, mothers have shown unique ways to care for their children. Crow Indians carried their babies on cradle boards with two (2) pointed sticks at the top. This way, a child would not be injured if accidentally dropped from a horse.

- In Germany mothers provide Schultiilen (cardboard cones filled with goodies) for the first day in school.

- Mothers in Mexico celebrate children birthdays with pinatas. Families in the Philippines celebrate children birthdays by decorating the outside of their house with blinking lights and attending mass together.

- The Aboriginal natives of northwestern Australia often walk one or two miles after their babies are born as they return to their camp. A few hours after their children are born, mothers cover them with charcoal and grease to protect babies’ skin from exposure and keep it soft.

- Japanese mothers hand down precious dolls to their daughters during the Doll festival, Hina-Matsuri. These beautiful and valuable dolls are displayed once a year and then are carefully stored away to be viewed again the next year.

- Nigerian women are used to calling their male children husband (Oko Mi) particularly women from the Yoruba tribe.

A GODLY INHERITANCE

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:10-31
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you’.” Matthew 12:46-50

Mothers all over the world, we celebrate you. Happy Mother’s Day.