Seal Party

I went to a "Seal Party" last night, only women are allowed to attend. The tradition started when the man in the family got his first seal. The women of the family buy candy, food, small tools, and other items to throw into a crowd of women and children from the village. It is similar to the tossing of a bouquet at a wedding. This seal party was to celebrate a grandson turning one year old. We got there late, so we were at the back of the crowd - and you can see the women huddled together in the picture, trying to catch as much as they can.

When bubble gum, candy bars and Ramen noodles were tossed, you didn't really have to pay attention - but when the ladies started hurling dish soap, laundry detergent and laundry baskets into the crowd, you had to watch and make sure you wouldn't get knocked in the head (it happened to a couple women).

Every time a handful of candy was tossed into the crowd, the women and children would 'ooh' and 'aah' in the hopes of getting their hands on something. They sounded like they were on a roller coaster, screaming in excitement when gifts were scattered into the crowd.