| 1.17.2. Birth |
| During the past, pregnant ladies were asked to stay in a separate hut built away from their house and there were no body to help them even during the delivery. The pregnant woman was supposed to take care of herself and her child after the birth. In contrast to the custom existed earlier, now a days the pregnant ladies will be extended all possible help by the family people and in case of emergency they are even taken to the hospital. Though a small girl and an old lady are there always to assist a pregnant lady, a strict separation from others is maintained for the period of 3 months after the child is born. Mother should prepare her own food with a little assistance of the appointed old lady and an young girl and the food prepared by the mother is not eaten by the other members of the family. Another restriction is that the neighbours and the relatives come to see the new born baby will not drink even water for six days from the house where the baby is born. |
| Family ceremony is fixed on the 6th day of the birth of the child if it is a male and on the 7th day if it is a female child. On the fixed day the house is white washed and cleaned properly. Excepting the new mother and the child all the members of the family including the father of the child go to the temple and bring `holy water’ and `prasadam’ from the temple after a special `puja’ for the welfare of the mother and the child. The whole house is sprinkled with the `holy water’ and the clan people are invited for a feast. The guests give presentations to the child. |
| Though the child is touched by the other family members and the relatives after the 6th or 7th day of the birth depending on the sex of the baby, it is strictly prohibited that no one should touch the mother and eat anything given by her. During the polluted period if the mother falls sick, usually no assistance is given by the family members except by a local physician. But now that custom has disappeared and the sick mother is given treatment with modern medicines. |
| 1.17.3. Naming |
| After the 6th or 7th day of the child birth, any good day is selected by the parents of the child for having the naming ceremony. As a custom all the relatives are invited for the feast and the name of the paternal grand father of the child along with any other good name will be given to the child if the child is a boy and the name of the paternal grand mother is given if the child is a girl. |
| 1.17.4. Ear and Nose Piercing |
| Irrespective of the sex of the person, ears are pierced; but nose piercing is restricted to female child only. There is no time restriction for the piercing ceremony. Usually three months after the birth of the child this ceremony is conducted. As a custom, the child’s mother’s brother is assigned to pierce the nose and the ear of the child. Sharp needle made up of either gold or silver is used for piercing. On that day the relatives are invited and are offered coconut, groundnut, plantains, and betel leaves in addition to the feast. During this ceremony also the relatives give presentations to the child. |
