Research source

Cocoanuts are waved round the child and thrown away at the boundary of the village and at places supposed to be…

Date of account: Published 1915
Source: Folk Lore Notes. Vol. II—Konkan
Reference: Folk Lore Notes. Vol. II—Konkan · selected passage 53
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-25

Record summary

Cocoanuts are waved round the child and thrown away at the boundary of the village and at places supposed to be haunted by ghosts

Published source text

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Source passage

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Cocoanuts are waved round the child and thrown away at the boundary of the village and at places supposed to be haunted by ghosts. Before entering a house in a new village, a small quantity of boiled rice, bread, or grains of rice are waved round the child and thrown away. It is believed that, when black ointment is applied to the eyes, cheeks, or forehead of a child, there is no fear of its being affected by an evil eye. This also depends on the position of the stars at the birth of a child. If anybody sees a beautiful thing and praises it, there is a chance of its being affected by an evil eye. It is believed that children, animals, trees, and even wood and stones, are apt to be affected by an evil eye. In order to avoid injury from an evil eye, cocoanut shells or a shoe are tied on a conspicuous part of a tree or a creeping plant, black beads known as Vajrabuttu are tied round the necks of children, and cowries and black beads are tied round the necks of animals. Even grown up persons are affected by an evil eye.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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