1. “Homeless Bird” and Culture in India Joyce Bamamwe Grade 4 February 20, 2013

2. Summary of Homeless Bird The story “Homeless Bird was very sad because Koly had to leave her birth family and at age 13 she became a widow, Sass betrayed her by taking money from Koly’s widows pension, and then, Chandra got married. Sassur died. Koly and Sass are now both widows. Sass's plan was to go to a city full of widows .Sass left Koly in the corner of a temple. Then a boy called Raji brought Koly to a home. After that Koly got remarried to a boy named Raji .Koly finally has a life and a family.

3. Claim Homeless Bird shows a life of a Hindu and cultural events and struggles a widow can have in India.

4. Evidence In Hindu culture they worship the sun and their are some widows in India that pray to their god for blessings and hope and wondering if their going to get married again. Their were cultural foods in Chandra's marriage in India such as chapaties,samosas, rice. Spices are really common in India. Chandra wore a white sari at Sassur to show respect that her dad died.

5. Evidence An arranged marriage is when a girl is younger or older and an older or younger boy are forced to get married. At an arranged marriage the men eat first then the women eat second. If your husband dies and your in an arranged marriage your in trouble.

6. Evidence • Many characters in “Homeless Bird” died. Sassur died and they tied his thumbs and toes for spirits to not follow them back home. They drop 7 papules on their way home for the sprits to not follow them on their way home. They brought Sassur to the Ganges river so his ashes and soul will be set free. • It really connects to India because widows in India are considered unlucky in India • In Indi,a there is a holy city for widows called Varindavan.

7. Evidence • There is a temple where young widows used to and that’s the temple where that widow will grow old. • Koly sleep on the door step when Saas left her at the temple • Koly wanted to get her widows pension put but the governor NO! You need to have an address. • A boy named Raji took Koly to a home full of widows. • After Koly was in a love marriage with Raji(farmer .

8. Evidence • When an Indian female or male dies they would wash them in the Ganges river to see if they could be cured. • Indians would put them on the edge of the Ganges river and burn them. • As you can see in the the picture these people are creamating someone and it relates to “Homeless Bird” because they did the same thing to Hari when he dies.

9. Evidence Saris are very fashionable in India lots of women were it. Ladies that are married in India were red chilli-peper saris. When a girl/lady’s husbands dies they turn it to a widow and were a white sari forever. There are many widows in India especially in Varindavan. Henna is really popular in India. Most women in India love to were saris and hennas.

10. Evidence • When Raji brought Koly at a lake Raji was on his knees proposing to Koly. • Koly was shocked! She had a pause and then she thought his family would be the as the first man she married. • As well as she knew Raji she said YES! • Koly and Raji weren't in an arranged marriage; they were in a love marriage.

11. Conclusion • My conclusion is that “Homeless Bird” is tied with hope, love and a bit of strongness.It’s like my claim boxes I told you guys each part

12. Reflections My reflection was that “Homeless Bird” showed lots of life lessons how a widow can struggle. And if you’re a person that has a lot of struggles in their life, read the book “Homeless Bird” It shows how to stand a little taller and be stronger. No matter what if Koly fell down she would stand up a little taller and stronger.

13. Sources www.facts-about-india.com/ • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • . • .