MITONI, CEREMONY FOR THE SEVENTH MONTH PRIGNANCY

The seventh month pregnancy of the first child is memorized by a ceremony, called "mitoni", whereby the marriage pair is bath. In fact the first child is welcomed.

The Dukun Baji, prays and prepares the ceremony for the Mitoni. Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	The Dukun Baji prays for the future father Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

The Dukun Baji prays for the future mother Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	The Dukun Baji let the future mother drink some of the blessed water Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

The Dukun Baji prays before she starts washing the future parents Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

The Dukun Baji talks to the future parents before she starts the washing Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	The Dukun Baji starts washing the future parents. The bathing water is prepared with several special flowers. Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

The mother of the future mother and other reletives also washes the future parents and wish good luck and health with the child Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	An aunt of the future mother washes the future parents Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

A younger sister and the mother of the future mother washes the future father Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

A younger brother of the future mother washes the future father Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	After the washing ceremony the father should cut a young coconut quickly in two pieces with a chopping device. The way how the coconut is cut by the father is supposed to be an indication of the sex of the baby Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali

The future mother selects a sarong and other cloths to wear for the rest of the ceremony and the nigth Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali	The Dukun Baji assists the future mother to wear the selected cloths Photo: Copyright © 2006 Moekiran A. Amatali