- BIRTH CEREMONIES
In or about the seventh month of pregnancy (mĕngandong tujoh bulan) a
“Bidan”^15 (sage femme) is engaged (mĕnĕmpah), the ceremony being described
as follows:—
A copper vessel called chĕrana (which is something like a fruit-dish with a stand
or foot to it) is filled with four or five peeled areca-nuts, a small block of
gambier, a portion of lime (kapor sa-pĕrkaporan), a “tahil” (sa-tahil) of tobacco,
and three or four packets (susun) of betel-leaf, and carried to the Bidan’s house,
where it is presented to her with the words, “I wish to engage you for my child”
(Ini’ku mahu mĕnĕmpah anak’ku), or words to that effect.^16
Usually the contents of the chĕrana are enclosed in small brass receptacles, but
on such occasions as the present no receptacles are used, the usual accessories of
the betel-chewing ceremony being deposited in the chĕrana itself. The Bidan, on
receiving the chĕrana, and charming the contents, inverts it, pouring out (di-
chorahkan) its contents upon the floor, and taking omens for the coming event
from the manner in which they fall.^17 She then commences to chew the betel-
leaf, and when she has taken as much as she requires, she generally performs
some species of divination (tengo’ dalam pĕtua) in order to ascertain the nature
of the child’s horoscope. This object may be achieved in several ways; e.g. by
astrological calculations; by casting up (palak or falakiah) the numerical values
of the letters of both parents’ names, in accordance with the abjad, or secret
cipher alphabet;^18 by observance of a wax taper fixed upon the brim of a jar of
water (dian di tĕpi buyong ayer); and by observance of a cup of “betel-leaf
water” (ayer sirih).^19
When the time arrives the Bidan is sent for and escorted to the spot, where she