This is what I’ve been told, but I’m sure that in practice someone must be calling around to let family members know to come from out of town, arranging at least some preparations a bit ahead of time.
Like all celebrations in my village, Dennabos are open to absolutely everyone! The neighborhood women will come over with their big pots and serving bowls to assist the hosting household in preparations for the big party. They will probably start the first day by preparing food items to be cooked for the following day’s breakfast, though the celebration will start this first evening. Music and dancing will be the order of the evening while people chat and drink tea together. The women will come back in the morning to finish preparing a traditional Pulaar meal of Leccere (ground millet/corn/peanuts) for breakfast. Again, everyone is invited, so a LOT of food is prepared for the meals at these events. After breakfast, the women will set to work right away preparing lunch and dinner, and the day will continue in this fashion until nightfall, ending with dinner, more music and dancing.
As people enter the home throughout the day, they will congratulate the father and the grandparents, and will give money as a gift. Some households will pitch in to buy baby items (clothes, a small bathtub, diapers, toys, etc.) and will pack it into a suitcase to present to the new mother. The baby’s grandmothers will then take out the items for everyone to see. This part feels very reminiscent of an American baby shower. Generally the men congregate in one area, while the women congregate in another. Prayers and blessings will be piled upon the new mother and baby by the older women in attendance.
Dennabos usually last three days.
