30 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>MARCH</strong> <strong>2008</strong>
let’s halhole! Younger generation embraces tradition BY JOYCE WISWELL PHOTO BY WILSON SARKIS When Avita Bacall got married a year and a half ago, her grandmother let loose with a giant trill – better known to members of the Chaldean community as the halhole. “She said, ‘I can’t help myself, it comes from the heart. It’s an overcoming of joy,’” recalled Bacall, 24, of Waterford. Bacall didn’t mind – in fact, she loves the halhole, that shrill, high-pitched sound of happiness women make (which usually startles any non- Chaldeans in attendance). “It is used to celebrate happy occasions,” said Josephine Sarafa, executive director of the Chaldean Cultural Center. “At funerals, it’s more of a wailing sound.” The halhole, which many learn as young girls from their mothers, grandmothers and aunts, started to die out locally in the 1950s as immigrants embraced American ways. But since the mid-1960s, the halhole has reemerged as a favorite wedding tradition, Sarafa said. “After 1965 when thousands of Chaldeans came from Iraq all the old traditions were reinforced by the newcomers,” she said. “It has become a resurgent tradition.” Nadine Rabban, 56, said she wishes she’d learned the sound as a girl. “My mother and aunt did it at my wedding 22 years ago but I never learned,” said the Novi resident. “Now my daughters try it. It’s a great tradition and if I had learned it when I was younger, I would do it.” Younger generations are also Alia Shango is feted by a zeffa band as she leaves her parents’ home. starting to embrace other traditions from Iraq, Sarafa said, including a henna party and the throwing of sweets onto the bride. Bacall’s wedding day featured the tabul (drum) and zarna (flute). “The groom’s mom and other females come and literally take the bride from her home,” Bacall said. “I loved it, and it sparked a lot of emotions of back home with my grandparents and my dad.” Margueritte Esshaki of Cass Lake is one of the community’s best-known halholers. “I have good breath,” said the 70-yearold. “I can go for a long time and do it very high.” Esshaki wins prizes at bridal showers for her trilling skills, but said she refrains at weddings. “With the men there, it’s a little different,” she admitted. Some church leaders are asking women to refrain from the halhole during marriage ceremonies, saying it’s become too competitive of who can do it the loudest or longest. “Do it outside all you want, but don’t cut off the prayers,” said Fr. Frank Kalabat of St. Thomas. “Keep a serene and prayerful atmosphere in the church.” Rather than forbid it outright, Fr. Kalabat asks celebrants to wait until the couple is introduced as husband and wife. “Then you can take out your frustration,” he laughed, “and let all that pent-up halhole out.” the wedding guide “GIVE ALL TO LOVE; OBEY THY HEART.” – RALPH WALDO EMERSON <strong>MARCH</strong> <strong>2008</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 31