Saturday morning my neighbor came and asked me if I could be her grandson's godmother for his cachimbo. Godparents are an interesting thing around here. You have one for baptism but also for first communion, confirmation, first year of elementary school, first year of secondary school, graduation, and marriage. My neighbor assured me this was no big deal, and as the other godmother had to drop out in the last minute (her boss sent her to Lima for the day), I agreed to do it.

As it turned out, she was right. The cachimbo is the ceremony to mark the first year of secondary school. The kids wear their uniforms (plus a cape and hat), the godparents paint marks on their faces, and everyone eats lunch. The whole thing is mostly a fundraiser for the school, because the godparents are supposed to give money to the school and a present to the kid. The other godmother sent the money and present so I really just showed up.

Afterward all the hubub, each family pulled out their picnic basket and found a place to sit and share the meal they brought. We had guinea pig. When the food was gone, the kids cleared out their classroom and danced. Grandma and I took off. In the end, I only had to stay 3 hours. The whole thing turned out better than I expected, particularly because I know it was meaningful for my neighbors and I got to spend a fair amount of time chatting with them. They are growing daily as a significant part of my life and I think vice versa.

2 comments

1. Emily on June 24, 2008 at 7:16 AM

   This comment has been removed by the author.

    
2. Emily on June 24, 2008 at 11:40 AM

   Hannah, Please say congratulations to L, M, and the whole family for me.
   
   I'm glad you got a chance to be a part of one of these; it's all part of the experience.
   
   peace to you.