Includes bibliographical references (pages 301-310)
Introduction -- Birth rites of the modern urban and rural Semites -- Birth rites of the modern Bedouin -- Evil spirits at birth -- The third, seventh, and fortieth days after birth -- Taboo and its removal -- The rite of Tahnik -- The Akikah ceremony -- Circumcision -- Circumcision festivals -- Baptism -- The sacrifice of the hair -- Evil spirits and marriage rites -- Evil spirits and death rites -- A historical survey -- Conclusion