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Description:
The article discusses the Hindu tradition in which each stage in the life of an individual is marked by a religious ceremony which is called samskar (sacrament). Among the samskar which are celebrated after the birth of a child, two are particularly important: the giving of a name and the solemn absorption of solid food. The ceremonies are respectively called namakarana or nvaran and annaprasana or pasni. The article focuses on these two samsakar celebrated among Newar at Pyangaon, a Newar village to the south of Kathmandu, as one single ceremony which is called Jako. Several people play an important role in the course of the ceremony. Each person's role is fixed by very strict rules. The Jako throws a clear light on the social groups involved
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