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293896
Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:37
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/293896
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Rocking A Cradle To Preserve A Tradition, And A Way Of Life
By Siti Fatihah Kamsah
ALOR GAJAH (Melaka, Malaysia), July 23 (Bernama) -- Think babies, and one
thinks of that first squeal of the new born and of a mother rocking the cradle
and singing a lullaby.
There was a time when celebrating the customary rite of "Naik Buai" or
rocking a baby in a cradle for the first time was just as exciting a cultural
practice among Malay couples as listening to the first cries of a new born, but
as modernity took over, this ritual soon joined the traditions that the younger
generation gave up.
Traditionally, Naik Buai event is held after the hair shaving ceremony,
which is conducted on the seventh day after the baby's birth and sometimes on
the last day of "pantang" (period of abstinence) for the mother or the 44th day
after the delivery.
The event is held to formally welcome the baby into the family and to inform
the community that a child has come into this world.
However, with the times changing and people increasingly veering towards
modern views, many of the traditions practised in the past, such as the Naik
Buai custom are now seen as outdated and no longer necessary.
ROCKING A BABY IN ITS CRADLE
While the Malays who still follow customary laws such as the Adat Perpatih
Melayu or the traditional Malay cultural and customary practices that have some
of their roots in Hinduism, still practice the Naik Buai ceremony, there is a
vast difference in the way events are conducted now compared to what was
practised in the past.
In southern state of Melaka, people still carry out such practices in areas
like Taboh Naning, Melaka Pindah and Lubok Cina.
Maharam Tambi, 71, from Ramuan China Besar here, who follows the tradition,
said in the past, the ceremony used to be held on the 44th day after the
delivery of the baby and only close relatives would attend the function.
Maharam, who is also called Wan (grandmother) Meram, added that in the past,
there used to be other accompanying rites, including placing a piece of freshly
cut wood in the cradle first to ward off any "evil" influence.
People used to believe that the wood would absorb any negative force in the
cradle, and once the log was removed, the baby used to be placed in the cradle,
Wan Meram told Bernama.
Unlike the modern factory made cradles that one sees today, the traditional
cradle itself used to be a hammock spun by the grandmother or the eldest member
of the family using pokok enau leaves.
When it comes to protecting a new born, no one wants to take even the
slightest risk. No wonder, she said, sometimes metal objects such as parang
would be placed underneath the cradle during the ceremony to keep evil spirits
at bay.
"The baby's cradle will then be rocked by the grandmother until the baby
goes to sleep before the mother takes over," she added.
The ceremony, thus, held a manifold significance, including welcoming a new
life, respect for elders, a recognition of the role of mother and underlining
the power of age old traditions in keeping communities closely knit.
However, the ceremony has undergone many changes, and while a larger number
of people are now invited to these events, certain rites have been discarded.
Couples who carry out the tradition today usually opt for cradles made from
sarung and decorated with paper flowers.
These days, the ceremony begins with a prayer, followed by "marhaban" or
Islamic recitation of good wishes by a group of ladies.
The baby is then placed in the cradle by the grandmother or grandfather,
accompanied by the recitation.
Wan Meram said before the ceremony is concluded, the guests are served pulut
kuning (glutinous rice) or sweet porridge and decorated eggs as a token of
appreciation for participating in the ceremony.
IS IT A RELIGIOUS OR A CULTURAL PRACTICE?
One reason why some of the traditional Malay customs such as Naik Buai are
no longer being followed by the society at large could be because of the
uncertainty about whether such practices are religious or cultural.
Many of the rites and rituals that were conducted in the past were not
considered in consonance with the teachings of Islam.
The ceremony that is conducted now includes prayers and praises Prophet
Muhammad SAW. It reminds guests of the greatness of Allah, said Nor Aminuddin
Azis, Officer for Islamic Affairs at Melaka's Department of the Mufti.
He said Muslims could also continue the practice of slaughtering domestic
livestock, a ritual undertaken before the head shaving ceremony, as a mark of
gratitude to Allah.
The prayers, animal slaughter, and head shaving as well as naming the child,
which are carried out on the seventh day are perceived as a prescribed way of
living, which was also undertaken by Prophet Muhammad SAW for his grandsons,
Hassan and Husein, he said.
PROMOTING CULTURES
The ceremony featuring rocking the baby’s cradle, meanwhile, is among the
154 customary and cultural practices in the country that had been declared as
National Heritage on May 10, 2012, by the Ministry of Information, Communication
and Culture (now known as Ministry of Communication and Multimedia).
Director of Melaka's Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) Rodzuan Ismail
admitted that the Naik Buai practice is not popular, and is only carried out by
a few couples. They conduct the ceremony by reciting prayers and messages of
advice to ensure that their children learn good values.
To further encourage the custom, the department organised a special Naik
Buai ceremony for 30 babies on June 14, with the cooperation of people from the
Kampung Melaka Pindah here.
"It was a programme to enlighten the rural community about our cultural
traditions and indirectly promote Melaka Pindah, which has already been
acknowledged by Melaka State Muzium Corporation as a heritage village," he said.
The programme will also provide exposure to young Malaysians so that they
can promote these traditions and prevent them from becoming extinct.
He added that the ceremony in the village will be held annually to enlighten
the tourists about the traditions.
CELEBRATING A BABY'S BIRTH
For Mohd Attas Abdullah, 48, and his wife, the birth of their eldest son,
Harith Hamzah, who is now five months, was the happiest moment of life.
The couple, who got married three years ago, were happy to be invited to the
ceremony organised by JKKN to celebrate the birth of their first born, together
with other couples.
"The ceremony reflects our gratitude for the blessings and the greatness of
Allah, who has blessed us with a child," he said.
Meanwhile, for another couple, Azman Abd Ghani and Zurina Osman, both in
their 30s, the event gave them a rare opportunity to participate in a ceremony
that many did not even know about.
As parents to twin boys, Azril and Azrizil, who are two months old, they
hope that the ceremony will remain part of the tradition so that other couples
have the opportunity to share their happiness with their communities.
It will certainly help to keep the customs and traditions of the Malay
community alive for the benefit of future generations, Azman said.
So next time when you come across a granny rocking a cradle, think of Naik
Buai, of motherhood, of the joy of a new life, of the power of tradition, and
above all, of the blessings that God showers upon us.
-- BERNAMA