The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF A WOMAN USED TO GIVE BIRTH TO ABIKU (A CHILD THAT DIES)
SHE CAN BE FREED OF THIS ORDEAL BY CONSULTING AN HERBALIST.
IF SHE HAS ANOTHER CHILD, SHE WILL TAKE HER TO AN HERBALIST WHO
WILL PERFORM A KIND OF RITUAL FOR THE BABY WHICH WILL INVOLVE
MAKING SOME MARKS ON THE FACE OF THE CHILD WITH BLADE, THEN HE WILL
PUT SOME BLACK MAGIC POWDER ON THE FRESH MARKS HE HAS JUST CUT.
THE MARKS ON THE CHILD'S FACE WILL DRY UP AFTER TWO DAYS, THUS THE
CHILD WILL NOT BE AN "ABIKU". THERE IS USUALLY ONE ONE-INCH
MARK ON EACH CHEEK BONE AT ITS HIGHEST POINT.

Where learned: NIGERIA ; KADUNA

Date learned: 00-00-1974