Long ago (1991) in a land far away (NYC) Favorite Guy (yeah, him again) purchased this book for a young and budding, gentle/attachment parenting, extended nursing, homeschooling, magical goddess mama deluxe in training (guess who).
17 years later, "Mamatoto" (Swahili for mother and child) - now out of print and well worn, remains in my heart and on my shelf. This book is one of many which will be passed on to Yael at her menarche ceremony. There is only one way into this world yet so many beautiful ways to get there. This book highlights the journey and all its celebrations around the globe. Even if you have no children, or the desire to have any, Mamatoto will change the way you look at anyone who's ever given birth. Here are a few highlights:
My Special Book
The Body Shop Team presents: Mamatoto: A Celebration of Birth
How about you? What's your special book?
A quick note on Shutter Click & Chat Sundays-no worries if you miss by a day or so, I'd still love to see what you have, link up and let's have some fun.
Duh!(I published without this)
Shutter Click & Chat 9/21: The Money Shot
Show me your favorite picture of you! Show an old one, take a new one-professional photos are welcome. I want to see 'em all!
7 comments:
i *love* this! as one who has never given birth and is not sure when she will, i've got a thing for these type of books and info. if someone were to look at my bookshelf, they'd swear i was preparing for childbirth/mothering.
just found this on amazon. gotta have it.
Mamototo.....
What a great name/word/meaning.
I can see why this is such a special book.
What's menarche celebration like? My daughter got her's this summer is it too late to do something? We bought a purse as a symbol of growing up. Because now she has something to carry in it. I would love to do something more.
Also, I was an extended nurser too. 33 months for my first little girl, only 12 months with the second (she didn't want to anymore after I went away on a business trip and returned).
Ninakipenda kitabu yako! (Swahili for I love your book)
I think I am gonna have to follow Fly Tie and try to find this on Amazon.
That sounds like a great book and the ceremony for your daughter is going to be amazing. If I have a girl child I will be sure to have a ceremony too.
I hope you guys can get the book-it really is beyond beautiful.
JR-Menarche celebrations can be as elaborate or intimate as you'd like. If you google "first moon" or "menarche rituals" you will get a bunch of great ideas. They range anywhere from elaborate red dresses to simple red crowns and red foods. It depends on how comfortable your young woman is with being the center of attention.
Yael's will likely be more on the intimate side with a treasure trove of first moon goodies for her to explore and enjoy at her leisure.
Kudos for celebrating her first moon.
Mamototo. It's a beautiful name. I will have to dig deep in my memory to come up with a book along similar lines but off the top of my head I can't think of no other than 'The Little Prince'. It's the book that I read when i was little, then when I was a teenager, then when I was a young adult (and performed it, too, as we adapted it to the stage) and I'm planning to read it to my son and daughter as soon as they are ready.
Lovely post.
Greetings from London.
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