Note 998 — Chapter XXI · EDUCATION AND FAMILY MATTERS AMONG THE MAYAS.
Reading edition
It would seem that the child remained with the navel-string attached to it until a favorable day was selected for performing the ceremony of cutting it. 'Echaban suertes para ver que dia seria bueno para cortar el ombligo.' And further on: 'Muchos tribus de indios de Centro-America conservan hasta hoy al nacimiento de un niño el uso de quemarle el ombligo; costumbre barbara de que mueron muchos niños.' This would indicate that the cord was burned while attached to the infant. Ximenez, Hist. Ind. Guat., pp. 193-4; Torquemada, Monarq. Ind., tom. ii., p. 448.