CHAPTER II

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BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH.

Superstitions as to Day and Hour of Birth—Practices to Ascertain Sex of Expected Child—Frightening Away Demons—Three Children at a Birth—Binding the Wrists—Cutting the Cord of the Feet—Rocking an Empty Cradle—Ceremonies after Birth—Worshipping the Measures—Superstitions as to Marriages—Wedding Rings—Betrothal Ceremonies—Using the Sieve—Rubbing the Bride’s Feet—The Marriage Veil—Worshipping Heaven and Earth—Shears, Honey &c.—Bridal Candles—Lucky Numbers at Weddings—Bride Cake or Bread—Touching the Threshold—Shoes—Sitting on the Dress—Death—Purchase of Coffins beforehand—Burial Clothes—“Saining” a Corpse—Cash from the Corpse’s Sleeve—Reversing the Body—Opening the Roof—White and Black Cocks—Watching Spirits—Watching the Dead—Clothes, Arms, Food, &c., for the Dead—Offerings after Death—Throwing Earth upon the Coffin—A Lucky Place for a Grave—White the Mourning Colour—Aversion to Disturbing a Grave, pp. 8–27.

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