20-24 septembrie 2009 - Biblioteca Metropolitana Bucuresti

468 Xhemile ABDIU724. After having drunken coffee, the place is arranged where thegodfather must sit and where the implements for the haircut are set out.725. A chair is needed for the godfather to sit, a cup of water, in whichthe godfather must place a small silver coin, a cloth, which is spread out toreceive the hair, a pair of scissors or a razor to shear or shave the godsonor goddaughter.726. When the godfather has seated in the chair, a boy of the clan reststhe godson or goddaughter against the chest of the godfather.727. The godfather cuts the child’s hair in the following order.a) a lock on the foreheadb) a lock at each templec) a lock at the nape of the neck728. After having cut the hair, the godfather taps the forehead of thegodson or goddaughter three times with the scissors, saying “Health andlong life!” He kisses the child and, taking him from his chest, gives himto the child’s mother = the godmother= who keeps the cup with the silvercoin.729. The godfather gives the godmother from 50 to 150 grosh, but notmore.730. The child’s mother takes the locks of hair and keeps them in achest.731. The godmother must give the godfather, a black jacket (gjurdit),trousers and an embroidered shirt. To the members of the godfather’sfamily, regardless of how many there are, she must give one of them atablecloth, to another a handkerchief, to a third a pair of socks.732. Before the first haircut, scissors must not touch the head of achild. If the hair grows too long, it may be singled with a piece of burningpinewood.733. After the child’s hair has been cut, the godfather spends that nightin the house of his godson or goddaughter. The next day, he takes thegodmother and the child with him to his own house, where they remain forthree or five days, according to the Canon.734. A funeral, a marriage, or a festivity may not be celebrated withoutthe presence of the godfather and godmother, and without the godson andgoddaughter. (Kanun of Lekë, 1989: The ceremony of the first haircut, page146)The moment when the first tooth of the child appeared is also ofparticular importance. The person, who realizes that the first tooth ofthe child had came out, has to give to the child a gift such as a shirt ora dress. The person who sees the tooth for the first time has to touch the