Childbirth
When the woman returns from the seclusion-hut after the urvatpimi ceremony she lives in her usual home with the rest of the family and does her usual work, and she is delivered there. It seemed that any one might be present, and that there was no special ceremony connected with delivery.
During delivery, the woman kneels with her head resting on the breast of a man, usually her husband, who clasps his hands behind her neck. She is tended by a woman, usually by one noted for skill in these matters. If there is much delay, all men and women present lay their hands on the head of the woman and say:
“Swâmi maz vûrmâ; swâmi pûdikan termâ.”
If this is not efficacious a man brings water in a vessel and prays, stirring the water with a piece of grass of the kind called kakar. When the prayer is finished, the man sprinkles the water over the woman.
The cord (pekû) is cut with a knife, being held down with a stick while it is being cut.
The afterbirth is called naj or pekûkûdri. If there is delay in its delivery, a medicine called najmad is given which is procured from the Badagas. The afterbirth is buried on the day on which the woman goes to the seclusion-hut, a few days [[324]]after delivery. If the child is still-born its body is buried at the same time.
A caul is named kwadri (umbrella), but no importance is attached to it, nor is it kept.