ethnological notes. 
152 
Come restrictions observed at child-birth by the 
Land-Dyaks cf Qaiop. 
For some six months prior to the birth of a child the 
wife has to regulate her daily life on different lines, 
and the following are some of the restrictions she has 
to observe. 
1. —She is not allowed to cam 7 stone, for fear that the 
child may die or be unable to walk — (.Miclap batuh), 
2. — She may not eat an egg, lest the birth should be 
difficult and harm befall the mother— (Midcip. 
1 u roll). 
3. — She may not drink well-waiter for the same reason— 
(Midap pi in). 
4. — She is not allowed to fasten the lid of a jar, lest it 
would cause death to mother and child at birth. 
5. — She must always go out of a room or house by the 
same door by which she entered, lest the birth 
should be difficult. 
h. — She must not break the legs of a frog, for fear that 
the legs and arms of the child be like the broken 
legs of a frog —(Midap tegarag). 
7. —She must be careful not to throw' stones or anything 
into the waiter, because they sink and are never 
found again, so will it be with the child, for it will, 
be born without life. 
8. — She must not strike any snake, lest the child be 
weak. 
9. — She may not plant bananas, for fear that the child 
may have a boil —(Midap barak). 
10. — She may not cut a root that hangs down into the 
water, lest she herself may not survive the birth. 
11. —She is forbidden to eat any kind of tortoise, for 
fear that the birth be difficult. 
12. — She may not drive a nail or bore a hole, lest the 
birth should be difficult. 
13. —She may not be out late at night, or shed the* 
blood of any animal, for fear of complications at 
birth—f Singang buran). 
The husband during this period must be careful in 
