Note 115 — Chapter VI · Magic Rites as affecting the Life of Man

The only difference made in the case of the death of a woman is that the washing of the corpse devolves upon women, whilst in the case of very young infants the talkin is sometimes omitted. The woman’s nisan, as has been explained, is distinguished by its shape.115 The temporary nisan may be replaced by a permanent one at any time after the funeral. At the time the grave is made up, four planks (dapor-dapor), with the upper edges and ends roughly carved and scalloped, are placed round the grave mound (tanah mati) to keep the earth from falling down. Whenever the grave is thus finally made up a feast is held, but from the necessities of the case this pious duty is generally left to the rich.