These days, Korean dramas and Korean pop have become very popular all over the world. And as a fan of them, I became acquainted with the cultures and traditions of Korea little by little. When I was watching a particular drama, I witnessed the Korean tradition that is the most awaited aspect of a "Doljanchi," or a child's first birthday party. This blog will have a closer look at the mentioned event known as Doljabi.
- Money - The baby will become wealthy or be a money-related professionals including accounting and entrepreneur.
- String or Thread - The child will have a long and healthy life.
- Notebook and Pen - The infant will become scholars.
- Bow and Arrow - The baby will be a military-related professional.
- Gavel - The child will be a judge or other law professional.
- Stethoscope - The infant will be a doctor or other professional in the medical field.
- Ball - The child will be an athlete and physically fit.
- Microphone - They will become an artist or superstar.
- Camera - They will be a journalist or filming professional.
Doljabi is not limited to the items above, the parents can be creative in choosing an object that is related to any career or profession.
In their history, they had a high infant mortality rate due to diseases and starvation. So, this tradition is the celebration and expressing gratitude for the child’s health and marks the end of their difficult and vulnerable period.
What I saw in this tradition is how the parents are willing to invest in the future of their children. It will also be the guide on how they will shape their child’s future. Though there is no guarantee that their child will be a successful professional, it still represents faith and hope for the child’s success.
On the other hand, it's possible that the baby picked out that item because of its color, or perhaps they are already familiar with it. Also, the baby doesn't know what those items are for, so I suggested that they can do another version for four (4) to seven (7) years old. In that way, they can choose the items wisely since they already have enough understanding of the objects.
There is nothing wrong with a parent who wishes for a healthy and successful future for their offspring. But this tradition might bring a negative attitude to the parents, in which they might limit the child on the professions represented by the objects that he or she grabs on his or her Doljabi.
This tradition is similar to my experience wherein my parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins are expecting that I will become an engineer, but I end up taking accountancy. They did not oppose my decisions, and they supported and guided me on the path that I chose.
Overall, Doljabi is a wonderful tradition because it represents hope, faith, and the importance of every offspring’s future. As long as the parents will not limit the child from exploring the world and the different professions as they grow up. It also indicates that our culture or tradition has a huge part on how we create and improve our lives.
