Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/131

Rh lightly strikes the woman with a knife five times across the bare shoulders and back, then she cuts the straps of the bundle through. After this ceremony the midwife kisses the woman and her "grandchildren," taking from them the pies and cakes they have brought for her. Then the father sets the pail of puré on the table and bows down to his feet before the midwife.

When all has been collected, the midwife spreads the table with a clean cloth, and lays upon it the bread, salt, cakes, pies, the dishes of pork and veal, as well as the two earthenware pots of groats—the thin for the children, the thick for the grown up persons. She also places on it the pail of puré, attaches a lighted candle to it, and opens the window. After crying in a loud voice: "Sakmede" (silence), she orders all to fall on their knees and pray near the window, but she herself repeats:

"O Cham Pas, Lord Savagoth himself, have mercy upon us. Ange Patyai, dear mother, most holy mother of God, give health to thy grandchildren, to the babes, to their fathers, to their mothers. Bulaman Patyai, protect thy grandchildren that they may keep warm cheerful, and healthy. O Ange ozais, protect thy grandchildren from the evil eye, from wizards, and from every unclean power. Ange Patyai Pas, descend frequently from thy golden heavenly home to comfort thy grandchildren and babes. Give their mothers plenty of milk that they may feed thy grandchildren. Give plenty of children, grant that they grow up large and healthy."

While thus praying, the midwife, with the assistance of the women, raises up the table three times, then she walks thrice round it, candle in hand, repeating as she touches the food:

"O Ange Patyai, Bulaman Patyai Pas', look! for thee there are loaves, salt, pies, and cakes. Look! for thee there is puré. Look! for thee there are groats and butter." The midwife then puts both kinds of groats into separate dishes and butters them, while continuing her prayer to the goddess. Then taking a ladleful of puré she goes to the window, stretches the ladle towards the sky and prays:

"O Cham Pas, Lord Savagoth himself, have mercy upon us. O Ange Patyai Pas, Bulaman Patyai Pas, dear mother, most holy mother of