Monthly Archives: May 2018

Ohana

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 3-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: French, a bit of hebrew

Nationality: American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): French, a bit of Hebrew

Age: 18

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 3-20-18

 

What it is: Our Mana-ray Mana (Ohana)

“It was an ordinary day during our summer vacation on the Hawaiian Island, Maui. My sister and I decided to go for a swim in the ocean with our Aunt and cousins, we were all in inner tubes. All of the sudden we started hearing ‘SHARK! SHARK! Come back in!’ from a man on the beach. My sister and I looked back and saw three black fins pop out of the waves. My sister grabs my arm and we kick ferociously back to show, losing the inner tube on the way in. I was perfectly fine but my sister was freaking out. So our parents had our friend, John (who was a native Hawaiian), come over and explain the Hawaiian legends of experiences with wildlife on the Island. By the time he came over, we had realized they were mana-ray (completely harmless) not sharks. None-the-less, John went on to explain that in the Hawaiian culture an experience lie this is actually very rare and special. He said to not be scared of the wildlife, that the mana-rays were our mana (family spirits) and that we were blessed to be surrounded by so many.”

Why they know it:  This was something Amanda and I personally witnessed years ago and were told about the mana and the legend behind them.

When is it said: The legend of the mana is something that is told often. It is told to those who were blessed with their presence and just as a part of the Hawaiian culture as a whole. There is not one specific event or time period that makes the mana a topic of conversation.

Where did it come from: Hawaiian, Polynesia

Why it’s said: Often, the legend of the mana is said when an experience like the one above has occurred. It is also, however, told to those who seek to gain more knowledge about the Hawaiian culture. To be visited by your mana is a great sign of luck and a great blessing.

How they know it and what it means: John knows this knowledge because of his life on the island, the fact that he is native Hawaiian, and ultimately his cultures great incorporation of their myths, legends, and traditions. Amanda and I now know this knowledge, not only because of our lives on Maui, but because of John who is our Ohana.

Thoughts: I was the girl freaking out in the story above, and well, I was terrified. However, after John told us of the mana that surrounds us and that this is a blessing and a sign of good luck, my fear lessened. I didn’t exactly get back in the water the next day but I learned to love my Mana and I know seek for them everywhere. Mana means spirits, which is thought to be the spirits of your ancestors and they help guide you through life’s greatest (and not so great) adventures. While the experience was terrifying at the time it has made me feel more connected to the island that I love and to my ancestors.

A Blessing

Nationality: American
Age: 55
Occupation: Banker
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-7-18
Primary Language: English

Nationality: American

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): 

Age: 55

Occupation: Banker

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-7-18

What it is: A Blessing over the kids

The blessing goes: Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishmerecha, ya’er Adonai panav eilecha viy’chuneka, Yisa Adonai panav eilcha v’yasem l’cha shalom. May God bless you and keep you, May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you, and may the face of God be lifted up to you and may God give you peace. A few key words are: Adonai which means God, Panav which means face, and shalom which means peace. The pronunciation is hard to explain but most words are hard sounding. The image below shows the Hebrew written and spelled phonetically. Hebrew is read from left to right.

Screen Shot 2018-04-26 at 12.20.38 AM

Why they know it:  This is something we were taught by our Rabbi.

When is it said: Every Friday night in our family

Where did it come from: Israel

Why its said: It is said to protect the child and bless them with god fortune and God’s grace.

Thoughts: This is one of my favorite prayers I know. It makes me feel as if I am being watched over and protected, by God, but more specifically my father (who says the prayer every night). The version above is the version we have written down, so that our friends and family can also follow along and so that we don’t forget the words. With the Hebrew language there are several versions but ultimately the meaning of the prayer is the same throughout.

The curse of the ring

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s): Spanish 

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

 

What it is: “You cannot wear a ring on your wedding finger before you are engaged. If you do it will rain on your wedding day.”

Why they know it:  Her grandmother told her this one day and it has stuck with her ever since.

When is it said: Pretty much whenever someone has a ring on their ring finger, especially when it’s a friend or damily member.

Where did it come from: India

Why its said: This is used as a warning as no one wants rain on their wedding day.

Thoughts: This is something I have heard before; however, with a variation. I have been told that if you were a ring on your wedding finger you will have seven years of bad relationships. Either way, some type of bad luck will occur to those who wear rings on their wedding finger when not engaged or married.

The occasional Vegetarian

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s):  Spanish

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

What it is: Tamal traditions

“Tamal is a Indian religion. Here are two Tamal traditions. In the tamal religion it is customary to shave the babies head before christening. Based on the tamal religion, cows are sacred and traditionally, some families select on day of the week to honor the cow and are vegetarian on that day. In my family we were vegetarian on Mondays.”

Why they know it:  As a child, Navina was super curious, and would ask her parents about their traditions.

When is it said: There isn’t a specific time in which this is said. It comes up more when asked about it.

Where did it come from: India

Thoughts: To me, this is one of the most unusual folklore I have collected. I was raised in a semi-vegetarian household; however, designating a specific day to be vegetarian is a new thought for me. None-the-less, I can respect that this is a weekly tradition for her family because I have a tradition similar in mine. These traditions help shape the person into who they are and what they do in life and in the world. It provides them with values they can hold onto.

Names

Nationality: American, Indian
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: California
Performance Date: 4-20-18
Primary Language: English
Language: Spanish

Nationality: American, Indian

Primary Language: English

Other language(s):  Spanish

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: California

Performance Date: 4-20-18

What it is:

“Based on the written language of Sanskrit, the calendar, you are born with certain sounds. In traditional Indian culture you associated the sounds to name your child. For example, I was born with the sounds na, no, ni, thus giving you the name Navina. In Sanskrit this means, novelty. Ki, ka, ke, were the sounds my sister was born into giving her the name, Kimara. Her name was made up and thus does not have a Sanskrit meaning; however, follows the tradition of naming your child based of the sounds. I was born in August, and my sister July.”

Why they know it:  Growing up I questioned why we were doing it and my parents told me why

When is it said: Once a week and during when someone is about to give birth

Where did it come from: India

Thoughts: This is something that is completely new to me. I have heard of people making up names but I have never heard of people creating names or finding names based on sounds. I think that these names, like Navina and Kimara, are unique and a special tradition, regardless if the name has a meaning or not.