Yankee Doljanchi / 양키 돌잔치

Dol (baby's first birthday) was an important milestone for our grandparents' generation, a time when only half of Korean children survived infancy. Ritual food and objects are arranged around the child on a dolsang 돌상 to receive guests and gifts, while various items representing potential future fortunes and omens are placed on the floor for the child to randomly grab (thus sealing their own fate) during the doljabi 돌잡이 ceremony.

"Does Halmeoni love her half-Korean grandchildren half as much?" I pondered once as I witnessed the dol ceremonies of our cousins (the ones with Korean names chosen by their Korean father's father). Perhaps it is better to avoid thinking there is only one predetermined destiny to manifest for oneself.

I’ve taken a little break from the NINE IDOLS for a special project for my little nephew’s upcoming first birthday.

In Korea a baby’s first birthday is called DOLJANCHI and is celebrated in big fashionable way, because in the old days the mortality rate for newborns were pretty bad.  There are many instances when an infant does not live past 100 days, and for that reason that is also celebrated…