Folklore:
Holding a Mud Night where a desert, called mud, is served and enjoyed by the family.
Context:
Informant described a tradition from her grandma who held Mud Nights. The night would be delineated through the desert served, mud. Informant described Mud as a chocolate pudding like desert with oreo cookies crushed on top. Also, she noted that looking up mud on the internet to describe the desert, but found they didn’t look similar with the photos found online. The night was special to the informant’s mother who experienced it throughout her childhood and even into adult years, mentioning she returned home during college for some of these events. Informant experienced a few as a young child. The informant noted even though they didn’t particularly like the desert the thing that was special about the Mud Nights were the gathering of the family. Talking with the informant they noted there wasn’t a clear knowledge on who started the tradition.
Analysis:
The celebration seems to be used as a experience from elder to child to help create a shared experience for the family. With the history and variation, it is a special celebration to bring connection between the elders and the youth. Informant noted it was specifically a tradition her grandmother stewarded and continued. It emphasized the importance of family and communicated values of care and joy with its members and participants.
