The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 10, March 11, 2007, Article 22

JAMAICAN BIRTH RITUAL: BURYING A SILVER COIN

Found recently on the web - another folk use for coins, this time
from Jamaica:

"Following delivery, the mother and child were often isolated for
eight days, during, which time the nana took control of the house.
It was considered very important to protect mother and child from
spiritual harm and any physical dangers that came with childbirth.
A special broom was used to sweep out the room and the sweepings were
kept, perhaps to prevent others from getting hold of them.

"The child was marked with blue, and the scissors or knife used to cut
the umbilical cord was watched carefully. Some sort of charm or 'guzu'
(often a strong-smelling substance) was used to protect the child. The
child was also washed in cold water that contained rum and a silver
coin given by the father. The water and coin were later buried in the
yard along with the afterbirth. The nana counted the knots on the
umbilical cord to determine how many children the mother was destined
to have."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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