Firman's second birthday party.... all done up in this country's style.

 The cake has very little sugar in it and no sugar in the icing at all... no one really eats the cake... it's just an expensive decoration so that they can blow out the candle.

 All the little girls ware the frilliest dresses they have and a few kids get up and sing into the mike.

 As soon as the party favors are handed out, party's over and it's time to go.

 Every one has to find their shoes.

 The little girls had other stuff on their minds....

 Party favors included a balloon, a bag of snacks, and a package of yellow rice. (Yellow rice accompanies most celebrations.)

 Tiny kid's had their own party front view.
Now the party was in the morning and then in the after noon all the same people came back out for this little boy's hair cutting ceremony.

 He's already had a clump of hair cut here in the above photo.  He's 3 month old and the next day they'll shave his head bald.

 The men all gather and chant prayers in Arabic while the kids (and some moms) tousle to catch coins tossed in the air.

 After this, comes the food.  Each guest gets a plate of rice and then 3 guest share a tray.

 There are eggs, beef, chicken, bean soup, a vegetable dish, and roasted soybeans.  And it was a festive day in my old neighbourhood. :o)