Happy Birthday in Moz!

So back in October, I celebrated my birthday in Mozambique for the first time. I initially didn't want to make it a big deal, so I didn't tell anyone, either my host family or other Peace Corps trainees, until the day before. Later I realized that was a stupid move, especially regarding my host family, because of course even with the short notice they wanted to have a celebration. Which, turned out pretty awesome.

Table set for birthday dinner!

My mãe cooked a special Portuguese dish with eggplant and other stuff in it, a deliciously grilled chicken, and of course a cake! The cake was made with corn flour, so it was sort of a cornbread-type thing. And, as always for special occasions, orange Fanta in champagne glasses :)

Eggplant-dish with chicken and rice

Left to right: Chaide, Teresa, Mundo, and mãe Olympia. The lighting makes them all look a bit demonic ;)

I'd probably look demonic too if I didn't have a knack for blinking at the wrong time

Before starting dinner, there were several birthday traditions to be observed. I have no idea if these things are Mozambican or just stuff my family made up, or whatever. Anyway, first my mãe cut out a single 'corner' of the cake, and split it up into bite-sized pieces so that my host-brother Chaide and I each speared a piece on our forks. Then, we linked arms and each ate our piece. We did a similar thing with our drinks. My mãe poured us each some Fanta, and Chaide and I linked arms to drink as well.

The traditional 'corner' of cake that I shared with Chaide

Drinking our champagne Fanta with linked arms

Finally, my mãe poured Fanta for everyone, and made a toast. She had us all hold our glasses para esquerda (to the left), para direita (to the right), para baixo (down), para cima (up), and finally, to drink. Last but not least, my mãe had a small gift for me- a lenço, or a piece of cloth to use as a headwrap. She knew that I'd been trying for weeks to get one to match a capulana dress I'd had made, so she had found one while traveling in the capital city that morning.

My mãe's gift of a lenço! :D

I feel so lucky to have such a great host family that made this day special. The other trainees in my group were also so great, making a card and also giving me CHOCOLATE cookies (seriously so awesome). Thanks all! :D