Traditions by one of our Newest Contributors Chesco Mom Samira

As an American Muslim I have found it very comforting to keep up with the traditions that I grew up with. Our holiday is called the Eid, it comes twice a year. Growing up, when it came time for our holidays my parents would buy my brother and I each a couple of gifts. They would buy each of us a brand new outfit for the big day and then our parents, aunts, uncles, and close family friends would give us money. My dad still gives me money every year during the holidays. Even though I tell him he doesn’t have to he just keeps insisting. Who says no to money anyways??? I cherish those times. Now with my two children I keep up with that tradition. My son is 4 ½ years old and he looks forward to our holiday every year.

This is kind of silly but in Egypt when I would see my aunt making dinner and she would make this specific meal called Moulkhia (which looks like a green soup that you eat over rice, it is really good even though is sounds kinda yucky). Anyways every time she made it, at the end of the process when she would add the green soup to sautéed garlic she would make this gasping sound. I asked my aunt once why she made this gasping sound. She told me it brings good luck and makes sure the food turns out good. Even though it sounds really silly and probably doesn’t really make the food good, I do the same thing now. It brings back memories every time I do it.

What kind of traditions do you practice whether it being religious or something special that you do with your family?

This was written by one of our newest contributors Chesco Mom Samira. Stay tuned for more insightful posts by her in 2011.