The Akikah - Show Time!

The morning started out just as any other - The only difference to this one was that we were awoken to the sound of a goats yells. It turns out, this Mr. Obama made more of a mess than any of us could've imagined. We kept Obama outside on the front loft that enters to the apartment, and unfortunately, it (The loft) didn't fare too well. I didn't take a picture for obvious reasons, but use your imagination. So, Uncle Agu brought Obama down and tied him up by the car.
I couldn't resist, but to take a picture with him. Afterall, he was the highlight of the day. I had to hold onto his horns so that he wouldn't try to ram me. I was thinking of making a shofar out of them, but the ceremony calls for anything non edible to be put back to where it can become apart of God. Ashes to ashes - dust to dust sort of thing.

We drove... and drove... and drove - Through mountains, through jungle, and finally reached a road where we met up with a random car (Yeah, we did this once before... ). This time, it did end up okay - He took us to a house in a Kampung where there was some 20-30 people waiting for us to arrive (we were a good hour late). They immediately took the goat out and got him prepared.

Obama was taken out behind the house. I was told, as the man of the family, I needed to stand by and help with the prayer for the goat, thanking God for everything, etc. The head guy said the prayer, and I offered Pearl Antoinette Kahn's name.


He then performed his deed - No pictures, again, for obvious reasons.

Meanwhile, back at the house - Everyone began gathering around for a prayer ceremony, singing prayers for the family, and especially for Pearl. In the meantime, Pearl found some friends of her own that she enjoyed.

All the while, the prayers were going around. This was the most energetic prayer service I've ever experienced. Everyone was singing with all of their hearts these prayers. Ironically, I even heard a Jewish tune to one of them... Not understanding any of the words, I just stood in complete awesomeness of it all. All of this, because of my daughter, Pearl. We had come some 20,000 kilometers so that we can celebrate the birth of my daughter. As thankful as I am to everyone that participated, which words can not even describe - I was told that they were just as thankful to my family for including them in on this ceremony. A small video of the prayers. Truly amazing.

As the prayers continued, the actual blessings of the family began. Allya held Pearl, as I held the ceremonial attributes (some fragrant rose pedals and such), a mixture of certain things... And we walked around to the elders of the Kampung and they all had blessed us. Truly amazing.

After the fact, we all began the feast. There was chicken, beef, fish, rice, and all sorts of extras that we ate up. Truly a feast of feasts. The entire Kampung came.
I ran over to see how Obama was doing, of course, getting his meat ready I mean... I will put alot of space - because it is graphic, if you are a vegetarian. As horrible as it sounds, seeing Obama sliced and diced, I was actually in the mood to try real, fresh goat... If you've had Indian food, you know it's realllly good... But, unfortunately, because of his puny stature, we left it for the Kampung people. Alot of space now - If you get queezy easy, scroll ALL THE WAY down for the rest of the story... I have put alot of space between the picture.
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Everyone was very happy that we had come, but we had to be going in order to get home in a timely manner. As now, it is 11:30pm, one of the most entertaining days I've ever experienced... So, I am losing focus, as I wait to upload more pictures... Maybe I'll go back and edit later, but in the meantime, I'll post this message.