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Chapter Three. Phases of Life |
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men excluded from childbirth and their weapons removed |
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Only women and very old men remained in a house in which a woman was giving birth. The husband was never permitted to be present, even at the birth of a second or subsequent child which took place in his own house, but he was not supposed to leave the village. In the village of Oting it was customary for all males, even small boys, to leave the house of birth, and for six days they slept and ate in the houses of kinsmen. All the husband's weapons were removed from the house, for if they remained he would have no luck in the chase. |
