CHAPTER IV 



GENERAL SOCIAL CUSTOMS 



Birth. — During pregnancy a woman had to observe carefully cer- 

 tain restrictions. She was not allowed to roam the woods alone for 

 fear of meeting snakes or other animals, the sight of which was 

 believed to forebode ill luck to a pregnant woman. She was not 

 permitted to have dogs or cats arountl her nor to sleep during the 

 day. Every morning during her 2>regnancy she had to take a cold 

 bath. Among the restrictions may have been food taboos, but no 

 information on this phase of the subject was obtained. 



When the time for delivery came, it was the custom for the woman 

 to occupy a small lodge erected especially for her use. None of her 

 male relatives were permitted to be present and her husband was 

 not even permitted to stay at home. He was supposed to travel 

 continually until the child was born, in the belief that by liis move- 

 ments he would help his wife in her delivery. According to one in- 

 formant the husband had to hunt game, the supposition being that 

 this procedure on his part would cause his wife to have enough milk 

 for the child. This traveling of the husband was called, therefore, 

 "Looking-for-milk." Itwas considered improper for awoman to cry 

 out during labor pains, and by doing so she subjected herself to the 

 jests of her elder female relatives. The cradle-board was always 

 made before the child was born (pis. 41, c, 42, a). 



The positions commonly assumed by women in delivery may be 

 described thus: Supported by the arms, which were passed over a 

 pole held in the crotches of two forked sticks driven into the ground ; 

 suspended between two stakes; or flat on the back. 



Tlie infant's navel string was cut off and sewed into a small bag, 

 which was attached to the head of the cradle-board. 



On the birth of a child the sisters of the husband were supposed 

 to show his wife especial marks of courtesy. They always gave her 

 valuable gifts, such as goods or a pony. They were glad that he had 

 offspring, the people said, and even permitted their brother's wife 

 to give the presents received from them to her own relatives. The 

 presentation of these gifts was called "Cradling-the-infant." Gifts 

 were presented also to the wife's brothers. 



Some time after the birth of a child, if a boy, the father always 

 gave a feast to Earthmaker and thanked him. 

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