DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22900#0198
154
HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS.
[CHAP. IV.
who is about to become a mother is made to perform
certain ceremonies, a description of which, we think
will be interesting. As soon as it is known that
such an event may be shortly expected there is much
rejoicing in the families of the parents of both hus-
band and wife. When the wife has advanced five
months she is presented by her mother-in-law with
a new dress, which she puts on and then goes to
the house of her own parents, who also give her a
dress.
After she has advanced either seven, or sometimes
the full nine months, what is called the " Agharni"
or pregnancy ceremony is performed. It is as in-
teresting as it is novel in character. An auspicious
day having been selected, her mother-in-law early in
the morning puts a suit of new clothes on the young
lady, and sends to her parents a present of fish,
curds, milk, and sugar. The young lady's parents
return these presents, adding thereto some more fish,
curds, milk, rings, corn, etc., and at noon a richly
prepared repast is sent for the whole of the family and
friends who may have been invited for the occasion.
In the afternoon the ground-floor of a room facino-
the east is ornamented with chunam (lime) and
various coloured powders, with the devices of fish,
peacocks, and other birds or animals, and variegated
flowers. The young lady is made to stand on a flat
wooden stool, two or three inches high, and placed
HISTOR Y OF THE PARSIS.
[CHAP. IV.
who is about to become a mother is made to perform
certain ceremonies, a description of which, we think
will be interesting. As soon as it is known that
such an event may be shortly expected there is much
rejoicing in the families of the parents of both hus-
band and wife. When the wife has advanced five
months she is presented by her mother-in-law with
a new dress, which she puts on and then goes to
the house of her own parents, who also give her a
dress.
After she has advanced either seven, or sometimes
the full nine months, what is called the " Agharni"
or pregnancy ceremony is performed. It is as in-
teresting as it is novel in character. An auspicious
day having been selected, her mother-in-law early in
the morning puts a suit of new clothes on the young
lady, and sends to her parents a present of fish,
curds, milk, and sugar. The young lady's parents
return these presents, adding thereto some more fish,
curds, milk, rings, corn, etc., and at noon a richly
prepared repast is sent for the whole of the family and
friends who may have been invited for the occasion.
In the afternoon the ground-floor of a room facino-
the east is ornamented with chunam (lime) and
various coloured powders, with the devices of fish,
peacocks, and other birds or animals, and variegated
flowers. The young lady is made to stand on a flat
wooden stool, two or three inches high, and placed