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lekkad
A ceremony during pregnancy.
Sometime during the seventh month of pregnancy the midwife comes. A ripe coconut, oil in a bottle, salt, a dry banana leaf and a needle with thread are placed on the floor. The pregnant woman lies down and is massaged first and then the coconut is shaken near her stomach so that one hears the water moving, it makes the child sārik (talkative, easily laughing, etc.). The dasa' banana leaf is there to make the body of the woman light. All items are passed close to the stomach of the woman. All things, except the coconut, are taken home by the midwife pandey and she is paid some money. The coconut is taken outside to sprout and later planted. The child will be the owner of the coconut tree. The midwife will also ‘shake’ the woman from side to side a few times inside a tubular skirt holding the skirt near the stomach. It is said to ‘loosen’ the child. Some incantation tawal is also performed.
N-, mag-
To have such a ceremony.
Bakas ilekkad ne kew?
Have you had the lekkad ceremony?
Dende miya'an ga' pe bakas maglekkad bu pitum bulan ne bettengnen.
That woman has not had the lekkad ceremony and her pregnancy is in the seventh month already.
Pandey iyan ga'i ta'u ngelekkad.
That midwife does not know how to perform the lekkad ceremony.
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