It was my Bahini (little sister's) birthday today, her name is Singetia and she is 15 years old. Like many of the children here in Nepal she looks younger than her years. I'm not sure if this a genetically Asia trait or a result of poor nutrition, but it certainly makes age determination very hard here.

So it appears that birthdays here are only celebrated in the evening, so Singetia has to wait all day to receive her birthday gifts. When we arrive back at the house in the early evening it is time for the celebration to start. I must admit I was surprised to see a birthday cake, with Happy Birthday Singetia written on the icing. For the ceremony Singetia sat behind this small table with her 3 cousins. On the table was the cake, a plate with the colour powder and rice to be put on the forehead, a plate full of petals and a little pot of flowers. One by one, starting with her Fathers' cousin, they each come up to the table, put the rice on their own forehead, sprinkle petals on the pot of flowers and then Singetia's head. Next they give her money followed by giving money to the other 3 children sitting next to her. After each time she receives the money Singetia cuts the cake and gives the person a piece. Everyone here seems to be giving money, not gifts. Until we get to the 3 volunteers when Tom gives pashmina, Sixtina gave some Austrian chocolate and I gave some thick woolly socks. After all the presenting we sat down on a rug for a feast of meal. After days of rice and potatoes it was a revelation to get beaten rice, prawn crackers, pappadum and chicken. We finished the evening playing cards and chatting. It was quite an experience to get to see how they celebrate a birthday out in the community.