Birthday Celebrations from Korea

In Korea, on the 100th day after a child's birth, a small feast is usually held to celebrate the child having survived this period. If the child has been unwell or is sick at this time, the family passes the day without acknowledgement nor party for to do so is considered bad luck for the infant.

At this time the Samshin Halmoni is honored with offerings of rice and soup for having cared for the infant and mother, for helping them to live through a difficult period. The family, relatives, and friends then celebrate with rice cakes, wine, and other delicacies such as red and black bean cakes sweetened with sugar or honey.

To prevent disaster and to bring the child luck and happiness, red bean cakes are placed at the four compass points within the house. They also believed if the steamed rice cakes are shared with 100 people the child will have a long life. Therefore, rice cakes are usually sent to as many people as possible to help share the happiness of the occasion. Those receiving rice cakes do not return the serving vessels empty, but with skeins of thread expressing the hope of longevity, and of rice and money symbolizing future wealth.

One of the most important birthdays in Korea is a child's first birthday. The children are dressed in special clothes and are taken in front of a large gathering of friends and family members. The celebration includes a big feast and the guests leave money for the new one-year old child. The child's future is told by the items the birthday child picks up.

Birthday Celebrations from Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, people do not observe birthdays due to spiritual beliefs. Religious holidays and weddings, however, are occasions for great celebration.

Complete the sentences with the appropriate words from the text

... are thought to be used at parties as a way of scaring away the evil spirits.
In some parts of … they have a birthday tree planted when the new child is born
In England there are cakes known as … which are made for the birthday.
In … the mother takes the baby strapped to her back into the thorn enclosure where the cattle is kept.
In Korea, on the … day after a child's birth, a small feast is usually held to celebrate the child having survived this period.
In …, the child's future is told by the items the birthday child picks up.
In …, people do not observe birthdays due to spiritual beliefs.

In …, being given the key to the house is still considered an important sign of coming of age.

Choose True or False for each statement

The custom of lighting candles originated with people believing that people’s souls lived in the sky;
In some parts of Africa they have a birthday tree planted when the new child is born.
At first, only kings and royalty were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration;
In England there are cakes known as Surprise Making Cakes which are made for the birthday;
Sending birthday cards is a custom that began in England about 100 years ago;
In Kenya the mother takes the baby strapped to her back into the thorn enclosure where the cattle is kept;
In Africa people celebrate with sadness the birth of a new baby;
In Korea, on the 100th day after a child's birth, a small feast is usually held to celebrate the child having survived this period;
One of the most important birthdays in Korea is a child's fifth birthday;
Saudi Arabia, people do not observe birthdays due to their poverty.