Bathing Rite

 The reason for holding the ceremony is that if the child is not bathed in the river with the offerings made to the deities and spirits, it must not be taken by anyone to bathe in any river; since it will not be protected by Sera Gindi and the spirits of fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures from the dangers present in the water (Sandin 1980:66)

 The ceremony starts very early in the morning, with a procession going to the bathing place (pendai) in the river. It is led by a special chosen man who carries a sword at his side. His is followed by another man carrying a fowl. Next walk two senior ladies, the first one carrying a plate of offerings, the second bearing the infant strapped to her in a beautifully made handwoven blanket. They are followed by the others who wish to witness the rite, after which comes a group in the rear who plays gong and drum music, to prevent ill-omens from being heard. Upon reaching the river the pocession stops, and the leading man utters a prayer.

Figure: The leader uttering a prayer (nyampi)

Then the offering, together with the plate is tossed into the river. Coins and beads are thrown in also.

Figure: Symbolically slashes the water with sword, to kill its evil power. Then with the same sword he cuts the throat of the cock, its blood allowed to drip into the water, serving as an expiation.

Immediately the woman who carries the infant then dips the baby carefully in the water, a few feet downriver from the two men. She may utter a few ritual words. Higher up on the river bank a few ritual words.

Higher up on the river bank a few gunshots are fired, while the gongs and drums are simultaneously beaten. One of the chicken's wings is then cut off, to be placed next to another offering at the river bank. The procession then proceeds back to the longhouse above, where the infant is handed back to the mother.