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Some years ago, at the birth of a baby village-folk tied a string to a
beam in the roof and every year thereafter added a knot to that string.
That helped them to determine his age. This method is still in practice
in some of the remote villages.
Five or seven days after childbirth, the mother is allowed
to bathe. A few grains or rice or a few leaves of methi, are added to
the bathing water. The house where a child is born is considered impure
for the first ten days or more. This impurity is called Sootak. On the
eleventh day of childbirth, the Khatris make the mother bathe and also
wash her hair, after which the whole house is washed and smeared with
dung mixture. Sugar candy or pieces of jaggery are distributed
among all relatives and friends. This ceremony is called Dhaman. Women
from the families of friends and relatives come to offer congratulations
and give money in the form of Shagan (gift) to the child.
Khatris and Aroras from the area, now in west Punjab perform the name
giving ceremony of the child on the day of Dhaman, but some castes or
tribes do it later. The Sikhs read the Holy Book, recite a hymn and build
up the child's name on the first letter of that hymn. The Hindus call
the family priest who performs the Havan and then gives the child its
name.
When the mother steps out of the house after eleven
days, a rite is performed. In Gurdaspur, before stepping out of the house,
the mother throws some cotton seeds and barley to the moon and the stars.
In Malwa, this going out, first time after confinement is considered very
important. This is called Bahar Vadhavan. This is performed on the thirteenth
day. On this day the mother bathes and washes her hair first in the urine
of a cow and then with curds. After that she dresses up and receives
relatives and neighbours who come to wish the baby luck. If the child
is a son, all the functionaries and servants come to congratulate and
bring toys for him. The toys are representative of their respective trades;
for instance, the water-carrier brings a sehra (garland) made of the mauli
thread and shirin leaves; the carpenter may bring a toy-cart; the sweeper
a bow and arrow; the potter a little earthen pot etc. In return, they
are all given something in cash or kind according to their social status.
The Nain makes out of dung, an image of Vidmata (goddess of luck), wraps
it up in silk, makes a heap of grain in the courtyard and buries the image
in that heap. The midwife brings a waistband with bells and ties it round
the baby's waist. After this the mother is made to wear the shoes of the
barber and go out. She sits with the child in her lap, facing the buried
figure of the goddess Vidmata and bows to it. In the evening she carries
a bowl of water outside, brings back a little grass and keeps it under
her pillow.
When the child cuts his first tooth, fresh coconut
is distributed. If a child cuts his upper teeth first, it is considered
an ill omen for the maternal uncle. The maternal uncle, on seeing this
child, perform a rite and touch his teeth with a silver cup and then offer
it to the child as a gift. |
