APPENDIX XI

Lifestyle, Traditions and Culture of India to be Discovered in

Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India – from the TEXT

(more can be inferred from the illustrations)

Cinduri balances a heavy pot on her head

Cinduri has to milk cows, make yogurt and cheese, clean the animal pens

She has to pick vegetables and sell them to neighbours

  • She also has to carry water many times a day
  • Men used to be able to have more than one wife
  • Cholera epidemics were common
  • Helper character is not a fairy godmother but a snake – snakes are important in Indian culture
  • Sisters ride in a carriage
  • Foods include almond rice, lentils, flatbread, curries
  • Pressing hands together and bowing to show thanks
  • There are peacocks and green parrots in the garden
  • Navaratri Festival
  • Women wear toe rings, veils and ankle chains
  • An aarti lamp is lit for ceremonial occasions
  • Have a goddess called Durga, in whose honour the festival is held
  • Women wear saris
  • People may have servants
  • A conch shell may be used as a bugle
  • Jasmine flowers are used in wedding ceremonies

From the notes:

  • The underwater world is mysterious and threatening, ruled by snakes and dragons
  • These creatures would respond to offerings from people by giving good fortune and luck.
  • The snake is a symbol of strength and might.
  • Snake venom is used for medicinal purposes
  • Snakes stand for wealth, prosperity and royalty
  • Dances contain movements like those of the snake

Vocabulary development

After reading Anklet for a Princess, have students put the following words into no more than five groups. Ask them to be able to tell the reasons for their groupings, that is, how the words in a single group are related.

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anklet

sari

yogurt

serpent

lentils

flatbread

pomegranate

pavilion

toe ring

cholera epidemic

curry

veil

trunk

servant

conch shell

jasmine

peacocks

goddess

ankle chain

carriage

almond rice

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Some questions for students:

  1. Why do you suppose the Cinderella from India wears an anklet? Why doesn’t she wear a slipper or shoe like other Cinderellas?
  2. Describe and explain Cinduri’s behaviour with the snake. Why does she behave this way?