Dordzhi Nandyshev, Beliefs and rituals connected with children

Abstract

Dordzhi says Kalmyks have many beliefs and rituals connected with children. For example, before giving a child new clothes, three people should cleanse the clothes by reading well-wishes. Children have their first haircut at 1. The first lock has to be kept by the child’s parents. To encourage young children to start walking, Kalmyks perform a ritual called ‘cutting the child’s hobbles’.