Kat's Ethio-Blog: A Christening in Addis

As most of you already know, Aynalem gave birth to a healthy baby boy October 4, 2014. Michael (aka Mickey) came into the world around 4 pm, after more than 12 hours of labour and weighed in at 3.4 kgs (7.5 pounds). We felt very honoured to be there within 30 minutes of his birth.

Our day began at 4 am with a call from Aynalem. Since Aynalem was already 10 days late (due September 24th) when my cell phone went off at 4 am, I was certain I knew the reason for her call. I remember turning to Paul and saying in a very excited voice, "It's Aynalem! We know what this means. It's Go time!" In my excitement I dropped the phone and then inadvertently disconnected the call. When I called back, all I got was a busy tone. I raced downstairs and outside and seeing Aynalem, slowly walking about, left little doubt that this time she was in labour. Ironically, the Saturday before we had had a 'trial' run to the hospital. That night it was around 8:30 pm and Aynalem 'thought' she was in labour. We made the quick drive to the hospital and waited for a few hours while Aynalem was examined it was determined that this was false labour, aka Braxton Hicks. This time Aynalem was determined to be sure, so (we learned later) she had been walking around since midnight (in pain) and only called us at 4 am when she was certain that this time she was in labour! At least with the trial run from the week before, we knew exactly where to go. The same nurse was on duty and after no time I recall her smiling at me and saying,"this is true labour". Aynalem's face and her slow measured walk confirmed the diagnosis. We stayed until we had her 'comfortably' settled into the labour room. Knowing from experience that this could take awhile, Paul and I returned home and I'd say by 6 am we were both fast asleep.

We returned back to the hospital around noon to check on Aynalem, but she was still in labour. Judging by her body language I felt it wouldn't be much longer. We received the call at 3:50 announcing that Mickey had made his appearance. We rushed over and there he was. So small and so perfect and his eyes were open and he looked so alert.

Baby Mickey

Just home from the hospital

Although the delivery was pretty standard (Ha! easy to talk about after!), Aynalem still had to spend the night at the hospital. This is a private hospital and they were very accommodating as they allowed Baraket, her mum and her brother Teddy to stay overnight. Next day, around 10;30 am, Paul and I went to pick up the family and bring them home.

Ethiopian tradition states that a baby is christened 40 days after the birth, regardless of when the day falls. Mickey's christening date landed on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. Since Wednesday is a fasting day (no meat or dairy) Aynalem chose to have a celebration dinner the night before so that everyone could partake in meat and dairy. I ordered an ice cream cake to celebrate the event. Aynalem cooked up a lovely, traditional meal, followed by a cultural coffee ceremony. Ice cream cake was our ferenji contribution!

Next morning the christening was scheduled for 11:30 am. I think I've mentioned that in Ethiopia it's a cultural phenomenon that nothing starts on time. The wedding reception Paul and I recently attended was supposed to have started at 12:30. We were advised not to come before 1:30, yet still the wedding party only arrived close to 3. Nevertheless we got to the church close to 11:30 and then we were asked to sit in a room, with a large ceramic tub (font). There were 2 other babies being christened and with family members, etc the room was beginning to get warm. The door was left open, as well as the window, so there was a breeze. I suspect I was just not use to wearing the requisite scarf/shawl. Paul had been asked to be the Godfather, so regardless of the heat, or the standing or the waiting, we weren't going to miss this event.

Finally the priests (there were 4 of them), wearing green and gold robes began the ceremony. There were lots of prayers, chanting, responses and waving of the incense thurible (a metal censer suspended from chains), but since it was all in Amharic, Paul and I just mutely followed along. When it came time to actually baptise the babies, we didn't require any translation. The setting and the service though culturally so different from home was in the end, surprisingly 'similar'. The priest followed the same process which each of the three babies. When it was Mickey's turn, he took him from Aynalem and walked around the room chanting while holding Mickey up in 'Lion King' fashion. Once Mickey had been paraded about the priest then held him over the tub and with the assistance of another priest signed him with the cross and anointed his head, arms and feet with oil. Mickey was excellent when all this going on, but when a pitcher of water (no idea if it was hot or cold) was literally poured over his entire naked body, he had had enough! He let out a cry, I think more in surprise, as the Priest continued to chant. Mickey settled down almost immediately, as he seemed comforted by the Priest's voice. Then it was over and Mickey was handed over to Paul who was holding a quilted hoodie blanket provided for the occasion. Paul went to wrap him up, but not before Mickey usurped the solemness of the occasion by deciding at that moment to pee.

There were similarities and differences, but the meaning behind the ceremony was universal. We took pictures and enjoyed holding and admiring Mickey, just as the other family members of the other two babies were doing. Like I said, so very similar.