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BIRTH, MARRIAGE, AND DEATH AMONG THE FELLAHIN OF PALESTINE.
(Answers to Questions.)
By P. J. Baldensperger, Esq.
Question 1. (a) Describe what happens when a child is horn? (b) Is it rubbed with salt? (c) Is it wrapped up {swaddled)? (d)Are any charms hung on it? (e) Is it washed? Are its gums rubbed with dates?
Answer. Women gather round the one going to be delivered, never a man, not even the husband may be present; it is considered indecent and unclean. They have an expert midwife who delivers the mother, and having put down the child, the father is to name it before the navel is cut; this is the usual way, but in many places they do not do it. (b) It is now rubbed all over with salt, water, and oil; its eyes and mouth are salted, (c) It is wrapped up so that it cannot move. All round the head and limbs it is fastened as tight as it can bear. In some places (Bethjala Christians) I have seen them add red earth to the salt and oil. The child is left thus wrapped up until the seventh day, when it is unfastened and washed again with fresh oil, and salt, and water, the same as at the birth, and then wrapped up in fresh clothes; this is repeated till the child is 40 days old. On the fortieth day the midwife, who has done all the preceding saltings, oilings, and wrappings, finally strips the child of its wraps and washes it all over with warm water and soap, and rids herself of the responsibility which has rested on her during the 40 days, putting it now in the mother's responsibility and care. As long as it is healthy no charms are put on it.
Question 2. Are the children christened?
Answer. Now and then a Moslem child is christened secretly, as it is believed by a few that christening saves from death. They generally admit that spirits dare not appear to Christians, because the christening takes away an odour peculiar to Moslems and very attractive to ghosts of all kinds. The Mared is the spirit most likely to appear. The Christian Fellahin, of course, have all their children baptised as soon as possible, the mother being obliged to remain at home till the day of christening. The godmother carries the child to be christened. The Latins and Protestants differ in nothing from the Western Churches, as having generally either European priests, or such as have been brought up and taught by European theologians. The Greek priests are generally natives, and the Greek Church Fellahin have no understanding or respect for their churches, as other Christians are expected to have. A baptismal ceremony at which I assisted in a small town was one of the most disorderly scenes I have ever witnessed. The church was crowded with noisy men and women, the women behind an enclosure, chattering away as in the
