Babinden

The Slavic holiday Babinden (bah-bean-den) happens each year on January 21.

Baba is "grandmother", and the in is possessive; den is "day", so the meaning is "Grandmother’s Day". It’s also called Midwives Day.

Babinden is an ancient festival, still celebrated in Bulgaria, to give thanks and show respect to the women (or men) who have helped in the child-birthing process, and for all the other skills and knowledge the grandmothers have: Growing food, cooking, herb lore, looking after their grandchildren, and teaching folklore and traditions. 

The roots of this festival, however, are in fertility rites. In Bulgaria, a house full of healthy and beautiful children is a basic value, and this is the underlying focus of the rituals on Babinden.

Agenda today:
1. Journal queries

2. Hand-washing ceremony
3. Plan gifts for my grandmothers
4. House cleaning and blessing
5. Make pitka (Bulgarian bread)

1. Journal queries:
Today I remember all the grandmothers in my life- my ancestors and my older friends. Also, I think about the grandchildren in my life: Honorary grandchildren of the present, and children-of-my-children (on the way and coming soon).

What burning questions would I like to ask my grandmothers? 
What wisdom would I like to share with my grandchildren?

2. Hand-washing ceremony:

Early this morning, young women in Bulgaria visit the local midwife or doctor. They bring soap, a towel, hot water in a ceramic bottle, and their young children. They perform a complicated symbolic hand-washing ritual, the purpose of which is to ensure easy births in the future and tall, strong children. The midwife gives a silver coin to each child she has delivered.

If I'm having an art class, we sometimes have a small hand-washing ceremony outside under the apple tree. My students hand me the soap, and pour water over my hands. I splash the water up into the air and say "May you all be tall, beautiful, and healthy!" Then I give them each a silver coin from my stash of foreign coins.

3. Plan gifts for my grandmothers: 
About lunchtime all the Bulgarian women go back to the midwife’s house without their children, bringing gifts and food: Socks, scarves, embroidery, bread, chicken, sweets, wine and brandy.

The lunchtime gathering turns into an all-day "women’s only" party (except the doctor might be a man, and sometimes male musicians attend- but they must dress as women) and it gets pretty wild! The women drink, dance, sing dirty songs, tell jokes, and gossip, and it goes on into the night.

Next year, when I am a grandmother, I'm going to throw a grandmother party! But today I'll make a list of grandmothers I have had, and those I have still, and plan small ways to honor each of them in the coming weeks (cards, gifts, food, visits, a lighted candle and a prayer...)

4. House cleaning and blessing:
In Bulgaria and elsewhere, water is a symbol of purity and has healing powers. Many Bulgarians will have a house-blessing after Epiphany (January 6) with a sprinkling of holy water. Several other water related rituals are also performed this month.

One effective way to bless a house is to clean it, with attention. I am well into my January month of deep cleaning, taking care of mold-related issues in my house. This week I will work on the bathroom. I hope to-

• Clean and dust the shelves, and buy a few new towels.
• Scrub the mildew off the ceiling and walls with detergent and warm water, then use a solution of ¼-cup bleach in 1-quart water. Wait 20 minutes, apply Borax solution and do not rinse, to help prevent mold from growing again. 
• Clean the baseboards and floor, and wash the rug.

5. Make pitka (Bulgarian bread): 
Pitka is a basic Bulgarian bread recipe that is made in many ways, with cheese filling, or with honey, etc. I like this simple buttery bread, formed as rolls but then baked together so you need to pull it apart to eat it. The recipe is here.

This is a nice gift for a Grandmother in your life!