Why Navajos Celebrate the First Laugh of a baby.

Our Diné celebrate milestones that are a little different than those in western culture. 

While many celebrate things like birthdays our Diné celebrate the first laugh. When the baby laughs for the first time they feel comfortable enough to express their joy. 

In the traditional way the person who makes the baby laugh is the one who throws the party. 

The party consists family and friends coming to see the baby and in a sense be blessed by them. 

The baby gives salt to the guests. Salt used to be hard to come by and was a rare commodity. 

The act of giving salt away is a grand gesture of freely giving something of great value. 

The teachings say this sets the child up to be a generous person throughout their life.