RE Ideas

by Mrs Samantha Bray Beginnings and Endings

This edition of RE Ideas encourages us to explore the concept of beginnings and endings, what they are why they are celebrated. Particular focus in this edition is on the naming ceremony in , Naam Karan and the significance of choosing a name.

LET’S GET THINKING ……

TASK Why do people celebrate?

Q. Why do people celebrate beginnings and endings?

Q. What beginnings and endings can you think of that people might celebrate?

Share your ideas with your partner.

TASK An End and a Beginning

An ending can also be a beginning.

Q. What do you think about this statement? Q. Do you think it is true or not? Often, an ending is also the beginning of something! Can you explain how? Think about these examples:

The end of The end of one The end of Year 1 is also chapter in a book winter means the beginning means you are the beginning of being a Year ready to begin the of spring. 2. next chapter. Welcoming a New Baby

Have you ever welcomed Have you attended a a new baby? special event to welcome a new baby?

Have you ever attended a special Do you know what event to name a new your name means? baby?

Talk about your answers to these questions with your partner.

LET’S EXPLORE …….

Many religions have special ceremonies to welcome and name new babies. In Sikhism, the special ceremony to name and welcome a new baby is called a Naam Karan.

TASK Read the story and use the information to complete the activities below.

An interview with Naam Karan Simran, when does Naam Karan take place? A Naam Karan takes place as soon as the mother of the baby feels well enough. There isn’t a set number of days so this date might be different for each different family.

Where does this event happen? A Naam Karan takes place at the .

What happens during the ceremony? Key Vocabulary! Sikhism – one of the major The family and friends of the new baby go to the Gurdwara. The religions of the world then opens the at random. The first

Sikh – a person who follows letter of the first word on that page is chosen to be the first Sikhism letter of the child’s name. Gurdwara – the Sikh holy place of worship Oh wow! So, the parents don’t decide beforehand? Guru – a religious leader No, because they won’t know the first letter until then! Once and teacher in the Sikh the baby’s name has been chosen, all the people in the Gurdwara faith cheer loudly.

Guru Granth Sahib – the How are names chosen? central religious scripture Once the first name of the new baby has been chosen from the for Naam Karan – the name of page of the Guru Granth Sahib, the second name will follow a the Sikh naming ceremony special rule.

Kaur, which means , which means Girls Boys ‘princess’ ‘lion’

What happens next?

A special pudding, called karah parshad, will have been made from flour, semolina, butter and sugar. Everyone who attends the Naam Karan gets to taste it!

Thank you, Simran!

Choosing a name!

Some names have a special meaning. Your TASK is to choose a new name for a child. - Read the description of the child you will be naming. - Then, choose a name from the table and explain why you chose it. Remember: try to choose a name that would suit the personality of the child!

Child 1 This child has lots of energy and likes to be outside. They would like to have a job in nature when they are older. They are patient, brave and like to be challenged. Child 2 This child enjoys working with animals and likes to be around people. They would like to have a job helping people when they are older. They are patient, a good listener and kind. Child 3 This child enjoys making things and solving problems. They would like to have a job building or fixing things when they are older. They are intelligent, a careful thinker and good with numbers. They enjoy a challenge and like to work in a team.

Choose a name ……

NAME MEANING Alex defender Madison mighty Amos strong and brave George earth worker Sabri someone who is very patient Codey someone who helps others when they are in need Sarin a helpful person Abdo a kind and sensitive person Fahima someone who is intelligent and has a lot of knowledge

Griselle someone who is wise and intelligent, good at finding and thinking about things Cadence a rhythmic person Eliza someone who has a jolly nature Rhia flowing water Jaida precious Teegan beautiful thing Aaliya noble

REFLECT Your Choice of Name Discuss the following with a partner: Q. How did you choose the name for the child described to you? Explain how you arrived at that choice. Q. What did the name you chose mean? Q. Why might some people choose a name that has special meaning for their child?

FINAL THOUGHTS …… Beginnings and endings have much significance in religious traditions, they are times of special celebrations! Decide whether the following statements are either:

True False

1. Religions only celebrate beginnings. 2. A Naam Karan is a Sikh naming ceremony. 3. In Sikhism, a baby’s name is decided before the parents go to have the child officially named in the Gurdwara.

Can you think of three more statements to add? Write them out and get your partner to say whether they are TRUE or FALSE. Then discuss your reasons.

Answers to the True/False statements 1. This statement is false. Many religions celebrate endings too – can you think of any examples? 2. This statement is true. A Naam Karan is the special Sikh ceremony to name and welcome a new baby. Can you remember what happens in a Naam Karan? 3. This statement is false. The name is decided in the Gurdwara. Can you remember how it is decided? Religious Education Movement Wales

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