Information On Malay Custom

A Malay woman does not leave the house for forty days after the birth of her child. At the end of this period another ceremony for the child follows. It is called berchukor and means the shaving of his head. Relatives and friends of the family are invited, and a religious man who is often an official from the mosque. In towns it is usually the Iman. He first of all recited a special prayer called berzanji which praises god and the prophet Mohammed. The baby is then brought up to him to be blessed. He smears some paste made of rice and scented water, called tepong tawar, on the baby's forehead and also rubs some gold on it. Then with a pair of scissors he cuts a piece of hair from the child's head. Each of the guests does the same thing. After another prayer, cakes and sweets are served.