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as though they were plaited. On one of the trays is also placed a young cocoa-nut opened by cutting it through the centre in an indented line, the two halves being then neatly fitted into one another, a razor, a pair of scissors, a bowl of perfumed oil, a similar bowl with some dried sandal-wood (kleumbáʾ) and a little seureuma (called kuḥl by the Arabs; used by women to blacken their eyelashes and the edges of their eyelids), and two eggs.
An old woman first sprinkles the patient with teupōng taweuë, then scatters a little breuëh-padé over her body and smears her forehead with some cocoanut water from the cocoanut which is placed ready for the purpose. Before commencing her task, she repeats the formula prescribed by Islam for the inauguration of all matters of importance—Bismillah! "in the name of Allah!" The scattering of the breuëh-padé is performed seven times, each being solemnly counted[1]: sa, dua, lhèë, peuët, limòng, nam, tujōōōōh! This counting is also employed on other occasions, such as the use of charms, and in children's games.
The bride is thus prepared for the actual ceremony of the andam. Up to the time of marriage the hair is drawn back as tightly as possible. Now however, the shorter hairs are combed forward from ear to ear and shaven to the depth of about a fingersbreadth along this line. The married woman continues to wear her hair in this manner until she has some children; she thus "andams"’ for several years. But the andam properly so called is that from which the great feast before a marriage derives its name, and is performed by an expert. The latter receives as her recompense among other things the remnants of husked and unhusked rice and eggs left over after the "cooling".
So soon as the andam proper has been completed by the application of some of the above-mentioned cosmetics (perfumed oil, kleumbaʾ and seureuma) the female guests assembled in the sramòë likōt, who up to this have been merely onlookers, proceed to assist in the work on hand; one after another they apply behind the ears of the bride the supplementary "cooling" of yellow glutinous rice which we have noticed above under the name of peusunténg. The bride acknowledges this token of friendly interest by an obeisance (seumbah), and at the same time receives the gifts presented to her by these guests.
Mothers whose daughters fall sick very often make a vow that they
- ↑ Cf. the notes in the Tijdschrift voor Binnenlandsch Bestuur Vol 7 p. 221 as to the counting up to seven as an introduction to invocations of gods or spirits in Timor.
