© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard
New Shop
Starting a new shop - the site is chosen and cleared and then on the lucky day at the lucky time, the first cut is made and articles to bring good luck incorporated into the foundations.
Hole dug in which articles to be buried
Coconut milk boiled in clay pot
Owner places articles in hole
Special food eaten to celebrate
When first roof timbers are to be installed, again a lucky time is chosen.
A coin is tied in a white rag around first timber
Owner assists with hoisting up first roof beam
Builders ease it into place
Opening of the new Shop - When the shop is completed it is stocked and an opening ceremony is held
Cutting up the specially cooked coconut milk rice
At lucky time clay pot of coconut milk is boiled on floor of new shop
Kiribaht (milk rice), bananas, biscuits etc are eaten after ceremony. Neighbours drop in during day to wish owner well & make small gifts plus eat special foods
Typical pirit food - kiribaht (milk rice), sambala. cake, biscuits, bananas. tea