Editor’s note: Humanity Against Poverty (HAP) begins their work with a human story. By dipping into the rich stories of people impacted by poverty. It’s a digital platform that prides itself in depicting the beautiful, ornately layered stories of people challenged by circumstance. There is often triumph, happy moments, celebrations, food sharing and laughter. These are not images seen with Africans. HAP strives to change the negative images that accompany poverty. Poverty doesn’t have to be ugly and every solution starts with a good story. Please see their work on their website humanityagainstpoverty.org and follow them in social media.
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Afartan Bax – After the forty Days, Women celebrate various traditional rituals around the globe.
In Somalia, new mothers have a special day of their own. Its called ‘Afartan Bax’ loosely translated as the end of forty days. After many months of carrying a baby and giving birth, the new mother and her infant child move to her family’s (a family is considered your parents and siblings) house for forty days, there she is pampered, catered to, massaged, taught how to breast feed and hold her baby. For these forty days she is the queen mother and she is generally cared for. The new mother comes into motherhood with all the aunts, neighbors, friends and family visiting her on her forty days of rest.
They come with good food and gifts. They pamper and spoil her and get her ready for motherhood. Women in the family keep her company, encourage her with fearless words and celebrate her and the baby. Special foods are prepared and even if the family is poor, they find a way to feed the new mom special nutritious, caloric rich foods such as lamb soup, camel milk and good herbs and fruits.
They believe the body needs massive rest and lots and lots of nutrition to produce milk and bring the body back to normal after sharing itself with the baby.
Read more: Things to Celebrate
Source: Humanity Against Poverty (HAP)
