Customs and Traditions Related to Child Rearing in Malaysia

Childbirth

• While many Malaysian births now occur in hospitals, the midwife traditionally oversaw a child's entry into the world, and midwives are still in operation in rural areas of Malaysia. The midwife performs a ceremony known as "rocking the abdomen" when the expectant mother completes her seventh month of pregnancy and subsequently attends to the mother during childbirth. After childbirth, the mother stays in the house for 40 days. When the confinement comes to an end, relatives, friends and a religious man gather to perform a ceremony known as "shaving the head." Accompanied by prayers and feasting, the adults take turns clipping some hair from the new baby's head.

Circumcision

• Orthodox Islam requires the circumcision of males, and for Malay boys this may take place anywhere between ages 5 and 13. This marks a boy's growing up, and is cause for celebration. The operation was traditionally performed in the home by a religious man, after such ceremonies as a procession through the village and a ritual bath. Nowadays, the operation more often takes place in a hospital, but it is still accompanied by prayers and parties.

Piercing of the Earlobes

• Piercing a young girl's earlobes is strictly a social custom without special religious significance. In times past, friends and relatives were bidden to a feast and prayers were read for the occasion. After the feasting was over, one of the women would pierce the young girl's earlobes with a thorn. However, this ceremony is now disappearing, as most Malay families have the girl's ears pierced in modern fashion at a jewelry store.

Completion of the Holy Quran

• Around the age of 5, every Malay boy goes to a teacher and begins to study the sacred book of Islam, the "Quran." When he has completed the reading of all 30 chapters, a ceremony is held to celebrate the milestone. At the party, the boy gives a demonstration of his accomplishment by reading verses from the 30th chapter of the "Quran." Then, in gratitude, he kisses the hand of his teacher, and all present join in a feast. Boiled eggs may be given as presents to the teacher and the guests at this feast.