The farmer mothers who weaned their children during the study period used a technique that entailed painting their nipples with red fingernail polish to resemble a wound. Tbe majority of mothers reported that they had used this method when weaning their previous children as well. Less frequently reported methods involved putting bandages over the nipples (also to simulate a wound) and allowing children to stop nursing on their own. Farmer parents felt that pretending to have injured nipples was effective because it frightened children and thus reduced their desire to nurse. All farmer mothers reported that rice or rice gruels were prepared specially for ehildren being weaned. Weaning among the farmers took place between 18 and 27 months of age. Farmer parents unanimously agreed that weaning was conducted at the age of two, when the teeth were fully in. Onee mothers initiated weaning by covering their nipples, children were considered "heing weaned" for approximately a week. Parents felt that late weaning led children to he inactive and lazy. They felt that it was important to initiate weaning hy two years of age to prevent these consequences. Rice gruels were seen as an essential part of weaning, without which children migbt cry incessantly. The Bofi farmer weaning technique, causing children to be afraid to continue nursing, is quite consistent with overall earegiving themes and cultural schemas.