Salam 1Malaysia. This time I want to share with you all about the taboos in Malaysia according to the main races. The three main races taboos I going to talk about are Malay, Chinese and Indian.
Malay
Malay
community. Too many taboo that has been presented to us, especially when we
were children. As a child, I always wondered whether the prohibition is true or
plot. Before puberty at that time, I certainly will not be able to know the
truth. But the more I mature, I almost find the answer. But I am not sure
whether the answer is true or merely hypothetical. I hope with the assumptions,
you can leave comments.
Among the common taboo I have heard are as follows:
a) Barefoot
in the House
If you enter a Muslim home, it is best to remove
your shoes. Muslims are sticklers for cleanliness; and one does not know what
dirt the shoes will bring into the house. Often, common areas such as the
living room are used for group prayers. For the Muslim, contact with faeces, for
example, requires vigorous washing with water and clay. It will greatly
inconvenience your host to have to clean the house in this way.
b) Shaking
Hands
The Malay handshake does not have the vigorous
shake of the Western mode. It is instead a tight grip and each person brings
his or her to touch the left chest (where the heart is). This symbolises the
sincerity of the action. Although the basic handshake involves the right
hand only, often both hands are extended and clasped. This reinforces the
sincerity of the action.Do not be offended if you extend your hand to a
person of the opposite sex, and it is not taken. Handshaking between different
sexes is strongly discouraged. Islam forbids physical contact between the
sexes.Handshaking between young and old Muslims has an
additional action. The younger party would bow down to the level of the elder’s
hand and kiss it. During Hari Raya, the younger one has to bow
down on one or both knees, and kiss the hand of the seated elder as he or she
seeks forgiveness."Jangan duduk atas bantal, nnt
punggung bisul" (do not sit on the pillow or else you will get sores on
your backside).The reason is, the pillows are used of the
head, so it is not polite to sit on it.
"Jangan menyanyi di dapur, nanti
dapat suami tua" (do not sing in the kitchen, or you (woman) will marry
someone who is way older than you expect).There is also forbidden taboo that it sounds
very prank. It sounds like this, “girls who are not married can not sing in the
kitchen, as feared would be delayed marriage”. Very terrible and obsessive
thought all girls right? As a precaution, many girls afraid to sing in the
kitchen. They decided to sing in the toilet, they bark with emotions and think
of themselves is like Jaclyn Victor. The reason is you might be careless
while cooking in order to avoid accidents.
"Jangan
keluar senja, nanti kena sorok dengan hantu payu-dara". (do not go out and
play at dusk, or you might be kidnapped by boogey-woman).The reason is, most Malays are Muslims, so it
is not good to go out at dusk because the devils and djinns usually wander at
dusk.
Jangan kencing dekat busut, nanti bengkak kemaluan(Malay words for
private part). (do not urinate on termite bunk, or your(male) penis might be
swollen.
The reason is first, it is impolite to
wee-wee out of nowhere. Secondly, a bunk might be a resting place for
supernatural spirits and it might curse anyone who mess up their place.
c) Malay
wedding
i) Seeing your sweetheart 40 days
before the Ijab
Kabul
It’s
certainly not encouraged to see your future husband or wife within the 40 days
before the ijab Kabul (holy matrimony) is taking place. It’s
done so to avoid the future newlyweds from imputation of society as well as
other bad things.
ii) Drinking cold water and soy bean
milk
Cold water and soy bean
milk are not encouraged to be consumed before the wedding day as they’re
believed to be bad for the sexual organs (in other words, they might cause the
sex organ to dysfunction temporarily which is a bad thing if you want to
perform superbly for your partner and make a good first impression in bed).
That being said, remember
to just follow whatever your grandmother or aunt or anyone else in your family
told you to do during your wedding as it’s much easier to not complain or
question the elderly. However, since we’re fast approaching the modern times,
most of the mentioned taboos are not being taken that seriously anymore as Malay
people are becoming less traditional and superstitious compared to the
yesteryears.
Chinese
The Chinese have been practising their taboos for
instance during pregnancy . The Chinese believe that pregnant ladies should not
hold scissors especially near their marital bed as it is believed that it will
affect the foetus and the baby might born incomplete (with some disabilities ).
They also believe that one should surround themselves with beautiful pictures of
children's as it is believed to give a happy and stress-free birth . Pregnant
ladies are also advised not to attend funerals and if they are about to attend they should
wear a red scarf around their belly well as a lucky talisman . In some
households pregnant women's are restricted from attending a wedding and touching
the bride. Since there is a superstition that the pregnant lady might bring bad
luck to the bride. Pregnant mothers are also encouraged to eat more or bigger
portions. This to ensure that the pregnant mother is nutritious and the food
could help protect and strengthen then.
They also have taboos during the Chinese
new year . During the reunion party of the night before the Chinese new year
fish is a customary dish that will be served that signifies for more abundance
and property for the new year . Nothing should also be broken during a Chinese
new year. Sharp objects should also be avoided and all windows and doors should
be open during new year to send out the
old days n welcome the new year . One should not have any debt or lend on the
auspicious day . It is also believed that a person should not cry during the
day because it is said that you will be crying the whole day and avoid hair
wash as it may wash away all your lucks.
The Chinese believe strongly that good
things comes in pair. Thus, they always avoid odd number for birthdays and
weddings . They also avoid the number
four (si) that since it sounds like death in mandarin . having addresses
that contain number four, phone numbers
and license plates will be avoided .In terms of food , young children should
not eat chicken feet that its believed that they wont be able to write well
when they start their schooling. They also believe that leaving food on plate
especially grains of rice will end getting married to a spouse with many
pockmarks on his or her face of the person .
Indian
Pointing
with your index finger is considered rude, Indians prefer to point with their
chin. Sometimes they use their thumb to point out someone. Feet are considered
unclean, so never point your feet at another person. You will be expected to
apologize whenever your shoes or feet touch another person .You might also
avoid stepping over or touching any books or papers with your feet. Book is the
thing that they respect highly .According to them book is the matter they gain
knowledge so they show their respect through not cross or step it .Do not touch
anyone or receive/give anything with one’s left hand, as the left hand is only
used for one’s “morning business. ”Do not hurt a cow, as many Hindus consider
the cows are holy, and are offended if they are hit by strangers. You're not
supposed to cut your finger/toenails after 6:00 PM. It is inauspicious to start
a new venture on Saturday. According to
them Saturday will not bring any luck to them and if they start any business on
Saturday it will not be fruitfully. The day is considered unsuitable for
marriages and ceremonies .
Black
cats are inauspicious and are associated with witchcraft. Usually if cats come
across them when they on the to go out they will think it is as bad omen and
remark it as an obstacle .Some will not continue go to the place and some will
wait for few minutes can continue. Bathing
in the Ganges river, leads one to heaven .During festivals season they
practiced to take oil bath. According to their ancient believes oil act as
natural anti-bacterial and natural body
heat remover .They use turmeric to take their shower too because it known as
superior anti-bacterial .Wash the legs before go inside the house after come
from outside .According to them if we wash their leg
the evils that follows them will run away .Washing leg is a sign of
chasing away the spirits away. All the family member must be as vegetarian for
one month if any of the family member past away in their family .Never wear shoes inside house and temple .Female put a black mark on forehead as sign of
chasing away evils. Should not cross the legs when elders sit in front.