121
we learn that on the death of any member of :he ar:?-
tocracy, his property was divided into three rsarts :
one for the king, the second for the priests and crema-
tion ceremonies and the third for his principal wife
and children.1
BIRTH CEREMONIES
In Siam, many Indian ceremonies have
been preserved. As in India, when a child is born,
it is washed and its arm is bound with a sacred thread.
Its horoscope is taken immediately after.
When the child reaches puberty, the tuft of hair
of the head is shaved with great ceremony. Tdis
tonsure ceremony is the reminiscence of the Indian
custom. It is known as cU/a kaniana mangala or
the festival of the shaving of the fore-lock. Though
it is purely a Brahmanic custom, yet it is surpri<
sing how it has survived in this Buddhist country.
A favourable day is fixed for the ceremony, when
all the friends, relatives and monks come and bless
the child. ' One of the near relatives of the child*
shaves the hair and music begins to play* The
child receives presents from all. It is followed by
a great feast.
The tonsure ceremony of the royal prince is
performed with great pomp and all Bangkok enjoys
holiday. The Brahmins take prominent part in this
ceremony. The prince, richly dressed and followed
by boys of his age, goes to his father and prostrates
1. J. S. S. VII, 1,1910, p. 86.