History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

156 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [cuap, w.

presents are sent to her husband by her mother. These presents consist of new clothes, rings, shawls, etc., which are placed in a tray with sweetmeats wrapped up in a silvered paper in the shape of a cone. The ladies who carry these presents are then treated to a dinner at the husband’s house, after which they recite certain songs appropriate to the auspicious occasion. As the time of her accouchement approaches, her mother-in-law gives her some little money and a cocoa-nut, and makes a small mark with red powder on her forehead, and sends her to her parents.

At the house of the girl’s mother, some days before the probable date of accouchement, the place or room previously mentioned is set apart for the purpose. As soon as the woman is in travail she is taken to this room, where an iron cot with a cotton bed is provided for her, and a cradle with an iron framework for the expected child. On the day of accouchement the mother goes to visit her daughter-in-law, and puts on her bed a few rupees and some dry rice as an auspicious omen. The mother of the girl then gives the husband’s mother a dinner, and before leaving she is presented with a new dress. The husband’s mother, on the following day, sends some sweetmeat and distributes it among their respective relations and friends.

According to Parsi custom, a woman is supposed to be unclean for forty days after childbirth, and