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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
Pouring water at the root of, or circumambulating, a pipal or babul tree after a bath without removing the wet clothes, is also believed to cause conception.1
Some observe the vow of entertaining thirteen Brahmans and thirteen virgins to a feast, and of setting up Randal Bantva.2
Women whose children die in infancy give them opprobrious names such as Khacharo (filth), Ghelo (stupid), Natho, Uko, Ukardo, Bodho, Pujo, Adavo, Mongho, Tulhi, Tutho, Kadavi, etc. in the belief that by so doing the life of the children is lengthened." The idea is almost Asiatic in extent. Among Musalmans also such names are given; and even among the Persians and Arabs boys are given such names as Masriequ and Osaid the Stolen and the Black. Sometimes parents arrange that their childern be actually
1 The School Master of Chhatrasa.
3 The School Master of Ganod.
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stolen; and some next of kin, generally the aunt, is made to commit the kindly felony. She afterwards returns the child for a certain amount in cash or clothes. The custom is as old as the scriptures, there being an allusion in the Koràn to how the little Joseph was made to steal some garment of his aunt and was claimed as a forfeit by her. Speaking about Levi, the older brothers of Joseph say to the Egyptian soldiers, "If he hath stolen (the king's goblet) verily the brother of his too did (formerly) steal."
Some make a vow of not cutting the hair of their children till they are taken to Ambāji, where their hair is cut for the first time.*
Some treat their children as beggars until they attain the age of five years, that is, they are dressed till that age in clothes obtained by begging. Some bore the nose of the child.
• The School Master of Khirasara.
4 The School Master of Todia.
