The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

3 CELEBRATIONS IN BABY'S FIRST YEAR

IN KOREA, "SAMCHIL" IS CELEBRATED THREE WEEKS AFTER THE
BIRTH OF A BABY. FRIENDS BRING GIFTS AND "DUCK," A RICE
CAKE IS SERVED.
"BAIK NAL" IS A SIMILAR CELEBRATION 100 DAYS AFTER THE
BIRTH OF THE BABY.
WHEN THE CHILD TURNS A YEAR OLD, THERE IS A BIG CELEBRATION
WHERE MANY FOODS ARE SERVED AND GUESTS BRING GIFTS OF
CLOTHES. EVERYTHING IS PLACED ON A TABLE; THE FOOD, THE
GIFTS, AND EVEN THE BABY. EVERYONE WAITS TO SEE WHICH
OBJECT THE CHILD WILL GRASP FIRST. IF HE GRASPS A BOOK,
HE WILL BE A VERY BRILLIANT PERSON, IF HE GRASPS A COIN,
HE WILL BE A WEALTHY MERCHANT, ETC.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN