ESL Blogs

Hi, friends!

I know the name of my blog didn't tell anything to you, but if you carry on reading you'll get the meaning of it.

I am going to tell you about one of the national customs. I, personally, think, that traditions and customs make our life more colourful  and interesting, giving it additional meaning and sense.

So, Atam Hatik is one of them.

In Armenia, when a baby gets his or her first tooth, parents celebrate the occasion by giving a special party called Atam Hatik (translated into English as a piece of tooth). Closest relatives and friends are invited to share the happiness of the day. The most important ritual of the day is that the baby is set on the table or on the floor surrounded by different items symbolizing different professions; a book - a scholar, a pen - a writer, scissors - a hairdresser, money - a businessman, a ball - a sportsman, some medical stuff - a doctor and so on... Then mother or one of the grannies pours Hatik (the dish of the day made from red beans, peas, barley and wheat topped with colourful candies to be sweet) on the baby's head. This is edible and the baby can basically eat it while it is being poured. There is typically candy all around the table for one's sweet tooth. After pouring Hatik they let the baby reach out and take any of the various items placed in front of him/her. It is believed whatever the child takes will decide what he is going to be when he grows up. It's supposedly where the child finds his first reaction, sense and direction.

Sure, it may seem strange to you, yet it's a nice occasion to get together and share the joy and happiness of the parents.

So, this is how we, Armenians, celebrate the coming of the first tooth...

P.S. to my friend jhon