NO. 2 FOLK RELIGION IN SOUTHWEST CHINA — GRAHAM 33 



When a child is born, the wife's mother pays a visit, bringing a 

 present of chickens, eggs, and other edibles (Grainger, 1921, p. 5)- A 

 sorcerer, or titan kiing, is called to exorcise demons (ibid.), for at this 

 time demons are believed to be hovering about in the hope of causing 

 the death of the mother or the child. A midwife is called in. Should 

 the birth be delayed or attended with difficulty, firecrackers or guns 

 are set off to frighten the demons (ibid.). The Chui-shen-niang-niang 

 may be worshiped in the hope of obtaining a speedy and easy delivery. 



While the birth is taking place, an umbrella is hung above the 

 mother as she lies in bed. If it is made of paper and t'ung (wood) oil, 

 it is believed to be more efficacious, for demons fear t'ung oil. For 

 this reason several t'ung oil lamps, or bowls filled with t'ung oil, are 

 placed on the floor near the bed and lighted to keep the demons away. 



After the child is born, the father goes to the homes of friends and 

 relatives and gives them a few red-colored eggs, and announces the 

 birth of the child. In return the relatives and friends, during the first 

 month, give presents of food, clothing, playthings, and ornaments. 



Usually at the end of three days the baby is given a bath, but some- 

 times this is delayed many days. About this time the wife's mother 

 makes a second visit, bringing gifts of food, clothing, or other things. 



After the birth of a child the mother is supposed to be unclean and 

 ill-omened or dangerous. She is therefore confined to her room for 

 at least 30 days. If she comes out before the alloted time, some 

 calamity will befall the family. At the end of a month there is a 

 feast, to which friends and relatives are invited, including all who 

 have given presents after the birth of the child. 



After 30 days a barber is called to shave the baby's head. It is be- 

 lieved that the baby's hair is so wiry that the barber's razor cannot 

 be used again. The barber therefore uses an old razor which often 

 injures the head of the child. The barber is remunerated about twice 

 the normal charge. 



At the end of one year friends and relatives again bring presents 

 of food, clothing, playthings, or ornaments, and again they are invited 

 to a feast. The child is seated on the floor, and around him are 

 placed a book, pencils, money, and other objects. Whatever object 

 a son picks up indicates what his future interest will be. If he 

 grasps a book or a pencil, he will be a scholar. If he grasps money, he 

 will probably be a businessman and wealthy, 



A common belief is expressed in the Classic of the Bloody Basin, 

 which is a Buddhist sacred book. At childbirth the mother sheds 

 blood, which gets onto her clothes and into the water. This defiles the 



