Children's Day

The day for children is celebrated by parties, kite flying, and games. It is customary for children to go door to door and be given small treats and sweets. There are parts of this day that are different for boys and for girls. With boys, it is traditional to eat Achamann (buns filled with a spicy bean paste) and Komalai (steamed duck wrapped in oak leaves). Boys fly kites that they have made themselves. These are usually shaped like shields and dragons. Girls traditionally eat dishes made with cherries as this is the month when cherries come into season as well as Adefoyenn (diamond shaped pastry stuffed with vegetables, similar to a spring roll). Cherries are the herald of spring as well as a symbol of courage. The Cherry blossoms are symbols of feminine beauty and are a prevalent decoration in the homes of young girls. There is a unique drink made of cherries that is consumed during this festival called Tanebonn. It has a sweet, almost syrupy quality to it and is a little bubbly.
Boys aged 5, 9, and 14 and girls aged 6, 10, and 15 are given special gifts on this day to celebrate those milestones in their lives.