Today, I had a "teachable moment" with my nieces Abby and Piper (whom I affectionately refer to as A&P), who are both just beginning to learn about nations and cultures other than their own. They hopped on the computer to find something new and interesting to play when they saw that
www.playpickle.com (a site they visit regularly, ever since their father let them download the necessary toolbar) was featuring Indian Bride Makeover, a dress-up game. At first, they were intrigued by the beautiful, brown-skinned woman depicted in the logo design, but then they began to look quizzical. Abby wondered aloud why the woman was not wearing feathers in her hair, like they had seen in Disney's Pocahontas movie. I explained that not all Indians wear feathers, because the term Indian can mean either a Native American or a person from East Asia. A&P's brows simultaneously furrowed. So, out came the globe. I showed them the nation of India and told them that the people of that country wear different kinds of garments than Native Americans do. Piper (who was named very appropriately, as she can pipe up better than most) seemed intrigued. "Like what?"
That's when the "teachable moment" really began...for me. I was familiar with some aspects of Indian culture, but bridal wear was not one of them. So, as A&P started clicking on the various clothing, makeup, and jewelry options that Indian Bride Makeover was offering, I got on my laptop and started looking up their names: sari (a long strip of unstitched cloth that is draped over the body in various ways); choli (a tight-fitting blouse that ends below the bust); dupatta (a loose scarf usually made of georgette, a crepe-like material); lehenga (a pleated skirt, also known as ghagra); salwar kameez (salwar = a pajama-like pant, kameez = a tunic-length shirt that usually ends near the top of the knee); baju bandh (armlets); tikka (headpiece); and mehndi (the application of henna). By the time A&P were done playing, we all wanted to emigrate to India and find ourselves a suitable husband!
