Alumnus says it's a way to share his culture with his American wife and his young daughter
BYU–Hawaii alumnus, Samson Sondi, said celebrating the Indian rice ceremony, ‘Annaprashana’, “is very important for me because I am the bridge to transit Indian culture in the right way to my American wife and daughter, Sophronia. If I didn't do it, then we may not know the ways of our traditions.”
Syamala Badireddy, a friend of the Sondi’s family and who is from India, said the rice ceremony is an important cultural tradition in India, and it symbolizes the baby's transition from a milk only diet to solid food. She said she believed the ceremony brings good health and prosperity to the child and the family. Badireddy explained the ceremony also has cultural and religious significance. “The ceremony is also seen as a way of honoring the gods and goddesses who provide food and nourishment to humanity,” said Badireddy.
Samson Sondi said, “It’s important to carry these traditions so they would not be lost in my family in the future.” He added it will help his daughter to have appreciation of carrying both American and Indian culture in her life.
Bethany Sondi, the wife of Samson Sondi, shared that the most important food of the ceremony is rice. At the rice ceremony, the child gets to play a game where a blanket is laid out with items that would represent the baby’s future. The Sondi’s chose a violin, for the baby to be musically inclined, cooking utensils that signify a good cook, a Nintendo switch for use of technology, scriptures for the baby to be religiously inclined, cash and money for financially stability, jewelry for beauty and riches and a college degree for education.
Then Bethany Sondi’s brothers tried to persuade the baby to crawl to the other side of the blanket and select what her future aspirations will be. The first time she crawled to the book of scriptures and the second time to the Nintendo switch. Sophronia’s grandparents gave her her first food, rice pudding, followed by her parents, uncles and aunts, Bethany Sondi explained.
“I love having these traditions in my family. It’s so joyful and meaningful. Our family [is comprised] of two-quarters of Indian and American traditions and complete 50 percent of the teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe in the words of Elder David A. Bednar that each individual should have a blended balance of intellectual, physical, spiritual and social behaviors,” said Bethany Sondi.
She said friendship, freedom, honesty, trust, understanding and communication help family relationships. She added her daughter is blessed to have family all over the world. Bethany Sondi said their daughter gets to share different cultures and appreciate the differences between them. “She will learn new skills and different languages, and I hope that it will teach her to be open minded but also firm in her beliefs,” she said.
Samson Sondi added it is important to practice these cultural activities that help teach his family to learn about Indian culture as well. There are many good traditions in India that can lighten up our lifestyle, he said. “This ceremony made us gather as one big family. [Bethany Sondi’s] parents who visited us for graduation, experienced this cultural ritual, admired and cherished it.”
He mentioned he also had gathered his friends from BYUH and is very much grateful for them. He expressed gratitude to his friends Siddesh Vardhanapu who made biryani, or the rice dish, and Jenisa Thomas who made the chicken curry.
Check out the interactive webpage for more photos from the event.