Note 4 — D.

Birth. 4. There are no ceremonies during pregnancy, except the tying round the woman’s neck of a charm to ward off the evil spirits which attack the mother. When parturition is delayed she is given water to drink in which a sword has been washed, and the person who draws the water must do so with his right hand only. When the child is born a Chamârin is called in to cut the cord. She remains in attendance only one day, and her place is then taken by the wife of the barber. The mother is isolated for twelve days; but she is allowed to cook and do other household work. On the twelfth day is the barahi, when a dinner consisting of urad pulse, rice and meat is given to the brotherhood. When the dinner is over some sweetmeats are offered to Ghâzi Miyân, and then distributed among those present. When the child is a year old they take it and the mother, if possible, to the Ganges in the month of Bhâdon during the asterism (nakshatra) of Magha. The mother makes a little paper boat, and in it she puts a garland of flowers, a lamp, sugar, and bread, to which some add betel, and lets it float down the stream. This, a custom derived from their Hindu neighbours, is known as Ganga pujaiya. When a boy is seven years old they perform the rite of circumcision (Musalmâni). This is usually done at the ‘Id, Baqrîd, and Muharram. The friends are invited; a square is marked out in the courtyard, and the friends sit round. The boy is bathed by the barber and dressed in new clothes. Then his father’s sister’s husband (phûpha) takes him in his arms to the nearest mosque to pray. On their return the boy is given a dose of ma’jûm, and when the narcotic begins to take effect he is placed in the square by his uncle (phûpha) and seated facing the west. Then the barber performs the operation invoking God and the Prophet. The only application used for the wound is some rose water. After the operation is over the boy’s father gives a turban, lota, and a few annas to the barber, and each of the friends present puts a pice or two into his cup. After this a dinner of meat and bread is served. When the wound is cured the barber bathes the boy again, and receives some grain and a money present.4 When they adopt they usually adopt their son-in-law, or in default of him preference is given to a brother’s son. No adoption is valid unless publicly communicated to the assembled clansmen. A feast is given and the adoption formally declared.