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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XXI. 



relatives living at a distance come to know of the birth of the 

 child, they come one by one with a presentation box, or 

 basket, full of sweetmeats, plantains, &c. To them also the 

 baby should be handed. On such occasions too it is usual to 

 give presents to the child by those who love it. 



The expenses at childbirth, puberty ceremony, wedding 

 celebrations, and funeral rites, are limited. At every one of 

 these occasions the dhoby (washerman) is benefited most ; 

 but even he is prohibited from asking anything more than 

 the fixed amount. A request for more than the amount is 

 never granted. Though it is not usual to give wedding pre- 

 sents to relatives, every one invited, whether male or female, 

 is bound to give presents to a girl at the ceremony of her 

 coming of age. If one cannot afford to give a present, it is 

 customary not to attend the festival. 



When a kinsman is seen approaching the house, some 

 one should go forward a step or two to welcome him, and 

 having conducted him to the house, should offer him a seat. 

 If he is not closely related, it is against etiquette for the 

 visitor to take a seat without being asked to do so. When a 

 low-caste man comes into a house he should remain standing 

 until he is given a mat or a kolomba (the lowest kind of stool, 

 roughly made out of a piece of log) to sit upon. And it is also 

 against the rules of etiquette to delay in giving him a kolomba 

 or a mat. 



When relatives meet together and sit at meals at a festival 

 it is wrong to begin to eat, although food is served in full, 

 without permission from the company. One should not ask 

 for rice, or for certain curries, whilst feasting. It is the work 

 of those who wait to watch carefully and to supply the wants, 

 whether rice or other things. 



Whilst feasting only the respected members of the company 

 may speak, and it is unbecoming to say anything disagreeable. 

 Water should be served round before calling for the repast. 

 Without doing this, it is very wrong to invite the guests, 

 saying in a homely style, " Api itin bat kamu," "Now let 

 us eat rice," as is usual in the household on other days. 



Dignified language, like " Adukku sappayam vemu" " Let 

 us partake of there past," must be used respectfully to 



