Definition:
“Baby dropping,” also known as “baby tossing,” is a traditional ritual or practice in which infants are dropped or tossed from a certain height, usually to be caught by others below.
Etymology:
The term “baby dropping” directly refers to the action of dropping a baby as part of a ritualistic practice.
Description:
Baby dropping rituals vary in practice and can be seen in different cultures. Families prepare for the ritual, often involving religious or cultural ceremonies leading up to the event. The infant is dropped from a height, such as a building, temple, or platform. Individuals or a group of people below are prepared to catch the infant safely using cloth, sheets, or other means. The successful completion of the ritual is often followed by celebrations, feasting, and communal activities.
In some parts of India, baby dropping is practiced at temples, where infants are dropped from a height of around 30 feet onto a cloth held by men below.
The ritual of baby dropping is believed to bring good luck, health, or strength to the child.
The practice has faced criticism and concern from child welfare organizations and the broader public for safety reasons. In some areas, authorities have imposed regulations or bans to ensure the safety of the children involved. Advocates argue for the preservation of these rituals as an important part of cultural identity and tradition.
There is a video documentation by CBS News. The caption of the video reads: “Western Indian ritual of hurling young children onto a cloth from heights of almost six feet during the Hindu festival, Navratri.” It is worth noting that the age of these children is older than what is typical, the height of six feet is very low compared to thirty feet which is more common, and the cloth used to catch them is much bigger than usual. Click to watch the video.
