Pasni
Encyclopedia
Pasni, the Weaning Ceremony is one in hundreds of celebrations in Nepal
in which a child is first fed rice
. Although centuries old tradition, modern science has established the fact that child's digestive system is capable of processing solid food when they are approximately 6 months old. This is why Pasni is held when baby is 6-month-old but it is different in daughters and sons.
This ceremony is held at five or seven months for daughters, and six or eight months for sons. An auspicious date and time is chosen by an astrologer, usually a Hindu
, and all the closest relatives are invited to witness and to celebrate. The rice is the first and easily digestible solid food baby eats. This custom varies with the variation of religion, caste and also place. Like mangolians Gurung
, Magar serve with kheer
which is rice cooked with milk and sugar similarly Brahmin
, Kshatris also do same. Whereas myriads of dishes are prepared and served in Newar
. All the dishes are served in one giant woven plate of leaves.
Baby is dressed in saffron silk cloth (although modern families will often put a diaper (nappy
) on, to minimize accidents.) The baby is held by the paternal aunt while the entire family feed her or him the first taste of rice. Musicians playing traditional music can be invited to start the function at the given auspicious time. After the baby has eaten, she or he will undergo another extensive puja (worship ceremony) often led by a priest or the oldest member of the household or clan, and accompanied by chanting from ancient scriptures.
For the rest of the day, the baby is dressed in a special outfit, usually made of red velvet and embroidered with silver and golden thread. The child is offered with gifts, money by close relatives, and gold and silver ornaments by grandparents. These ornaments include heavy silver anklets (kalli) carved with dragon at both the ends to keep the bad omens away from baby. These ornaments can be handed on as heirlooms.
Pasni ceremonies have become extensively lavish these days, with large parties of not just close relatives, but also colleagues and friends being invited for the event. The guests, numbering in their hundreds, partake in a wedding-style banquet under tents, which are often catered by commercial catering agencies. They also bring gifts for the child, a new custom that has become more popular with the commercial rise of clothes, toys and other gift items targeted towards children.
Simpler ceremonies are also performed in temples dedicated to female tantric deities, with only a few relatives in attendance.
The ceremony varies from family to family as they incorporate their own long-standing family traditions.
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
in which a child is first fed rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
. Although centuries old tradition, modern science has established the fact that child's digestive system is capable of processing solid food when they are approximately 6 months old. This is why Pasni is held when baby is 6-month-old but it is different in daughters and sons.
This ceremony is held at five or seven months for daughters, and six or eight months for sons. An auspicious date and time is chosen by an astrologer, usually a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, and all the closest relatives are invited to witness and to celebrate. The rice is the first and easily digestible solid food baby eats. This custom varies with the variation of religion, caste and also place. Like mangolians Gurung
Gurung
The Gurung people, also called Tamu, are an ethnic group that migrated from Mongolia in the 6th century to the central region of Nepal. Gurungs, like other east Asian featured peoples of Nepal such as Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Magar, Manaaggi, Mustaaggi, and Walunggi, are the indigenous people of...
, Magar serve with kheer
Kheer
Kheer also known as Payasam or Payesh is a rice pudding, which is a traditional South Asian sweet dish...
which is rice cooked with milk and sugar similarly Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
, Kshatris also do same. Whereas myriads of dishes are prepared and served in Newar
Newar
The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...
. All the dishes are served in one giant woven plate of leaves.
Baby is dressed in saffron silk cloth (although modern families will often put a diaper (nappy
Nappy
Nappy may refer to the following:* British, Australian, and New Zealand English for a diaper or another garment used for incontinence* Afro-textured hair* The raised surface and texture of cloth, referred to as the nap...
) on, to minimize accidents.) The baby is held by the paternal aunt while the entire family feed her or him the first taste of rice. Musicians playing traditional music can be invited to start the function at the given auspicious time. After the baby has eaten, she or he will undergo another extensive puja (worship ceremony) often led by a priest or the oldest member of the household or clan, and accompanied by chanting from ancient scriptures.
For the rest of the day, the baby is dressed in a special outfit, usually made of red velvet and embroidered with silver and golden thread. The child is offered with gifts, money by close relatives, and gold and silver ornaments by grandparents. These ornaments include heavy silver anklets (kalli) carved with dragon at both the ends to keep the bad omens away from baby. These ornaments can be handed on as heirlooms.
Pasni ceremonies have become extensively lavish these days, with large parties of not just close relatives, but also colleagues and friends being invited for the event. The guests, numbering in their hundreds, partake in a wedding-style banquet under tents, which are often catered by commercial catering agencies. They also bring gifts for the child, a new custom that has become more popular with the commercial rise of clothes, toys and other gift items targeted towards children.
Simpler ceremonies are also performed in temples dedicated to female tantric deities, with only a few relatives in attendance.
The ceremony varies from family to family as they incorporate their own long-standing family traditions.