Part 1: Ceremony Prep

On a wool matt on a hard tile platform, the women of Pantai Mas spent hours preparing for the ceremony blessing the seven month marker of the owners soon to be born grandchild. A skill passed down from generation to generation, their hands nimbly twisted and shaped the palm frond and thin bamboo in the spectacular shapes. Most of my day was spent along side then on the wool blanket, learning through sight rather then spoken instruction.

I found spending the day with people who do not, for the most part, speak the same language as me, a refreshing break from the distractions of conversation. Language droped away and everything else becomes so much more important. I was forced to rely on the body language and facial expressions of those around me for understanding.

Our communication then, came mainly through craft and the act of making. The general understanding that all this care and time was being put into an object that, the very next day would be thrown away. The understanding in the importance of the process and the intentions, not just the final product.

It is amazing what you can learn from others when few words are shared between you. For my time spent preparing for the ceremony, I find that although many miles separate our homes, and our social norms and customs vary widely, time and energy will always be placed into the caring of others and laughter makes everything better.