Emilee Nebgen

PSY 209
Infancy Around the World

Infancy Around the World:

New Life Celebrations in
Egypt
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By Emilee Nebgen

Sebou
Sebou is a celebration of birth often practiced throughout Egypt. The practice has taken place
for thousands of years, and is still practiced by egyptians both muslim and christian.

What is El Sebou?
El Sebou is an infancy celebration that starts on the seventh day after the birth of a child,
regardless of gender. Here are some of the different beliefs and traditions upheld during the
celebration of El Sebou;
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1. The Number Seven

The number seven has historically been considered a lucky number in Egyptian culture.
The start of the celebration on the seventh day stems from the high infant mortality rate
often seen throughout ancient Egyptian history. Should a child stay alive for seven days,
the child was deemed important and vital. Though the mortality rate in Egypt has gone
down drastically, the tradition is held tightly.

2. Societal Crossover
It is thought that once a child has been born for seven days, that child has moved on
from gender and social-status neutrality. It is at this point believed that the child moves
into gender differentiation and the family hierarchy.

3. The Mother
El Sebou is not only a celebration for the infant, but a celebration for the mother. The
women in Egyptian culture are not often celebrated when it comes to motherhood, so
this is a chance for the mother to be celebrated and praised along with her child. This is
shown in one of the traditional Sebou beverages called “moghat”, an expensive herbal
beverage that is meant to increase breast milk production.

4. Loud Noises
The banging of a mortar and pestle is a time honored tradition during El Sebou, seen as
a procession to the celebration. The purpose of loud noises is to build the infant's
character and instill braveness at a young age.

5. Deeper Meaning
Anthropologist at American University Hania Sholkamy says “It's the first rite of
passage that differentiates a boy from a girl, that establishes this newborn as
continuation of the family, that establishes a mother's and a father's roles” and “The
ritual itself is all about advising the newborn about warding off evil spirits, about
strengthening it, about giving it, you know, guts and a will to live”.
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Sources
Fontana Regional Library. El Sebou’ - Egyptian Birth Ritual. 2014,

https://fontanalib.org/books/el-sebou-egyptian-birth-ritual.

Just a Moment... 2 Nov. 2015, www.madamasr.com/en/2015/11/02/panorama/u/the-

sebou-an-egyptian-baby-shower.

Nelson, Soraya Sarhaddi. “At 7 Days, Egyptian Babies Mark First Rite of Passage.”

NPR.org, 29 July 2011, www.npr.org/2011/07/29/138792679/at-7-days-egyptian-babies-

mark-first-rite-of-passage.