"Malaysian Taboos"

    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.