Shaving the New-born: Maguindanaon Way

PART II

(Read Part I HERE)

NAMING THE CHILD: The traditional way

This is done seven days after delivery of the baby. In shaving or cutting the hair of the baby, the following is prepared:

1. oil in a small bowl

2. water in a big bowl – note that “langkungan” is used as a bowl, it is a ceramic or porcelain bowl, and not just an ordinary bowl.

3. date or sugar or honey

4. dudol

5. knife/blade or a pair of scissor

First Step:

The pandita will apply the pulp of a date, honey, or sugar on the palate of the child.

Second Step:

The pandita will dip the tip of his knuckles to the oil reciting a verse from the Quran. Then he will get a portion of the baby’s hair and cut it.

The cut hair is slowly placed in the bowl of water. If the hair will stay long on the surface, the child and the parents will have a good and long life, if it will immediately settle at the bottom, the child will have many hardships in life or will have a short life.

The pandita will get the hair from the bowl and will give it to the mother. The mother will place it in a cotton and keep it together with his/her dried umbilical cord (discussed HERE).

The pandita will now name the child. The pandita will whisper his/her name on the the right ear of the child. The parents usually choose awkward names based on the features of the child. My cousin was named “Dido”, because is she is a “small” baby (not like her siblings). Our neighbor in Maguindanao was named “Kasili,” because he went out from his mother’s wound very easy. (Kasili means eel).

Third Step:

The mother will let the child step on the dudol. The dudol must be in a big bandihaw or a big tray. This is done so that the child will have a comfortable life.

Dudol

FINAL STAGE

The father will give money or sadaqa to the pandita after the ritual. All people who helped in cooking and preparing the kanduli is also given money.

As a closing/ending ritual, the walian will get a shield (klung) and the kampilan or bolo.

On the right hand is klung or the shield

The walian will strike/hit the kampilan to the klung three times. Every time she will strike the kampilan, the walian will shout. (I was not able to get the reason why this was done).

NOW LET ME PRESENT THE ISLAMIC WAY OF SHAVING AND NAMING THE CHILD:

The best time to perform Aqiqah is on the seventh day after the birth of the baby.  But it may be done on the fourteenth, or the twenty first day.

The following is a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he advised Aqiqah a goat/sheep.  Narrated Umm Kurz: The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Two sheep which resemble each other are to be sacrificed for a boy and one for a girl. (Sunan Abu Dawood Book 15, No.  2830)

The condition of the animals in Aqiqah is the same as the conditions for the animals in Qurbani. The animals to be slaughtered must be a goats, cows or camels.  For camels, it must be older than 6 years, for cows the age must be older than 3 years and for goats, it must be older than 2 years. They must be free from any form of handicap such as blind, sick, limp and undernourished. The animals must be slaughtered in the appropriate humane ways.

1. Naming: The following is then recited (first that for a boy, then for a girl):  In the Name of God and through God, this is the ‘aqīqa of…. (name of the boy), son of …. (name of the father): its flesh [i.e., the flesh of the sacrifice of the ‘aqīqa] for his flesh blood, its bone for his bone, its hair for his hair, its skin for his skin. O God, let it be a protection of the family of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family. 2. Shaving: The hair of the baby s shaved. It is recommended to weigh the cut hair in silver, and give its value to the poor or to orphans as alms. In the name of Allah, by Allah, praise be to Allah, Allah is the greatest, faith is in Allah, thanks to the messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children) for safeguarding His command, gratitude for His sustenance, and awareness of us Ahl ul Bayt (our merits) by His grace. Recite the following if the child is male: O Allah, verily You have given us a son. You alone know what You have given and what has been granted, and (You alone know everything about) whatever You create. So accept (our offering offered) in accordance with Your command and the traditions of Your prophet and messenger (blessings of Allah be on him and on his children), and keep away the accursed Shaytan from us. This blood is pouring out for Your sake only (a.s.) there is no partner to share (it) with You, O my Allah, praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O my Allah, this meat (instead of) his meat, this blood (instead of) his blood, these bones (instead of) his bones., these hair (instead of) his hair, this skin (instead of) his skin (are offered to You), so O my Allah, accept this (sacrifice) instead of the sacrifice of (mention the name of the child. 3. A goat, a sheep or other such animal should be sacrificed either after shaving the hair or at the same time, but not before. 4. It is recommended to read the following prayer at the time when the animal is about to be slaughtered: O gathering, I am free from what you associate; I turn my face to He who split the heavens and the earth, a true believer and a Muslim, and not one of the polytheists. My prayer, my piety, my living, and my dying are for God, the Lord of the Words. O God, from You and to You, in the Name of God; God is greater. O God, bless Muhammad, and accept [this] from … (name of the child). Son / daughter of …… (name of the father). Or In the name of Allah and by Allah, this aqiqa (sheep slaughtered) is of (mention the name of the child with father’s name); its flesh (instead of) his/her flesh, its blood (instead of) his/her blood, its bones, (instead of) his/her bones (are offered) to You. O Allah, (accept it) as that by which (this child) may be protected and preserved, in the name of the children of Muhammad, blessings of Allah be on him and on his children, and peace. 5. After the sacrifice, the greater part of the meat should be distributed among the poor and needy. It may also be served to the guests, but it is disapproved for the parents of the baby and their dependents to eat it. 6. If, due to any reason, ‘aqīq is not performed on the seventh day after the birth of the child, it may be offered later on, at any time, even by the child itself after attaining puberty. 7. This rite is not obligatory but recommended, and there are many Traditions which emphasize it. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_happens_in_a_Aqiqa_ceremony#ixzz1B81QP5Q2

KIPALAT: Payment to the Walian (Priestess)

The walian (priestess or quack midwife) should be paid or given gifts for her participation in caring the pregnant woman from pregnancy to giving birth.

Based on old practices, the mother should give the malong she used when she delivered the baby, one new malong (two if twins), the knife used in cutting the umbilical cord or any silver-made items.

After that, the walian should visit the mother and the child often. On the third day, the walian should place the baby (for the first time) to his/her hammock. The walian will recite an incantation that the baby will have comfortable sleep all the time. Then after that, the walian will quickly get or remove the child from the hammock (meaning: so that the child will get well easily if he/she is sick or will have an illness).

In drying the umbilical cord, the mother should use coconut oil and rice residues from “pansing or pansingan” or a rice measuring cup made of coconut shells, but rice flour is okay.

A portion of the dried umbilical cord will soon separate from the umbilicus. That dried portion should be kept on a weaved and purse-shaped pandan leaves, with lucky charms (usually dried leaves), lucky coins and his/her hair. This is to be placed or pinned in the baby’s hammock.

The dried cord is dipped in a glass of water and the baby will drink it every time he/she has tummy aches. A dried garlic is also pinned on the hammock to drive away bad spirits. If the mother have to go outside and the child will be left alone in the room, the mother should place a basin filed with water and a “bolo” below the hammock to drive away bad spirits that might inflict harm to the baby. (There’s a belief that bad spirits are afraid of their reflections – in the water).

All of the above not any more done nowadays, but as for giving gifts to the walian, some Islamic clerics believe that it is okay because gift-giving is not un-Islamic anyway.

KAPEMBATA: Part II

PART II

Read Part I here: KAPEMBATA: Giving Birth/Laboring

When a woman is in pain while laboring, she is given medicinal plants specially prepared by a learned walian or quack doctor.

When the woman is about to labor, someone should utter the word KASILI (eel), so that she will have an easy delivery. After delivering the baby, that is the time that all the people in the house can speak loud or can do their usual chores.

Observe that, Maguindanaons are very careful of how they utter words because they believe that spirits are always listening to them.

Eel

When the placenta is out, the walian will tie the umbilical cord, and cut it with a bamboo or stainless knife. The baby should not be laid separate from her mother; the baby should be laid beside her mother.

Tying the umbilical cord

The walian will wash the placenta and somebody will look at the walian while she’s washing the placenta. If the placenta has two opening, the baby has a unseen twin, a spirit twin. (So every time, the baby is to be a given gift, another gift should be prepared as offering to the spirit twin).

Before disposing the placenta, the walian will fill it with cold water and then empty it; this is done so that the child’s life will be filled with success. After washing the placenta, it is placed in a clean cloth or plastic.

After sunset, the placenta is “planted” somewhere near the house. “Buried” is not used as a term because the term is for the dead. So, in instructing the father or the pandita, one will say “Please, plant the placenta.” The placenta should be “planted” in a place that cannot be easily stepped on.

Observe that, Maguindanaons are very careful of how they utter words because they believe that spirits are always listening to them.

According to the old belief, the child will easily cry if the placenta is planted in a place that is always stepped on. The father or the pandita who planted the placenta should again recite the adhan if the child is a boy, or recite the “qamat” or “iqamah” if the child is a girl. The pandita should be given token after planting the placenta.

ADHAN:

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lah (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)

Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lah (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)

Ash hadu an-na Muhammadar rasulul lah (I bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah)

Ash hadu an-na Muhammadar rasulul lah (I bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah)

Hayya ‘alas salah (Come to prayer)

Hayya ‘alas salah (Come to prayer)

Hayya ‘alal falah’ (Come to your Success)

Hayya ‘alal falah’ (Come to your Success)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)

La ilaha illal Lah (There is no deity but Allah)

QAMAT OR IQAMAH:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah.

Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah.
Hasten to the Prayer, hasten to the Prayer

Hayya ‘ala-l-falah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah.
Hasten to real success, hasten to real success.

Qad qamati-s-Salah, Qad qamati-s-Salah.
Prayer is ready, Prayer is ready.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.

La ilaha illa-llah
There is none worthy of worship but Allah.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The correct practice – and Allah (SWT) knows best – is to give Adhan only, since the AUTHENTIC Hadith only refers to the Adhan. As for the iqamah being given in the other ear, then al-Baihaqee reports two Hadith about that – but they are BOTH WEAK as Ibnul-Qayyim says, and as such cannot be used as proof. That is also reported from the practice of the Khaleefah ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul – ‘Azeez – as being his action only. Therefore, it is more correct and closer to the Sunnah to give the Adhan alone.

Also, some of the practices indicated herein are against the teachings of Islam. For Islamic practices on calling adhan to the ear of the newborn, read THIS.

KAPEMBATA: Giving Birth

PART I

When a woman is about to give birth/labor, household members should be silent and should not make any sounds/noises, if possible they should be just whispering or waving their hands. They should close the doors and the windows.

Saying the words “giving birth” or “laboring” (pembata) is a no-no. According to the old belief, it adds to the the difficulty of laboring. (Nyahahaha).

Also, when calling a walian (priestess or quack midwife), one cannot utter the word “pembata” or say “Soandso needs you, she’s about to give birth.” Instead, the one calling the walian should say “Babo,” unot ka pan sa laki lo sa walay.” (Babo, please come to our house…).

If the walian forgot what was it all about or she can’t understand why she’s needed, the person should say “You already know it…” (Katawan nengka bun).

When asked by other people what was it all about, the answer is “none” or “it’s nothing” or he/she should answer in some other way, concealing what is going on. (hmmmm…) There are many reasons why this is done or practiced, but I only know one reason: to avoid bad/evil spirits to intercept the message that somebody is giving birth.

Observe that, Maguindanaons are very careful of how they utter words because they believe that spirits are always listening to them.

The laboring woman should not shout or groan. A cloth is placed on her mouth so that she will not make noise or shout in pain. Reasons: she should display grace under pressure and so that bad spirits will not know that somebody is giving birth.

The baby’s first bowel movement is meconium. When stressed during labor, the fetus can eliminate meconium into the amniotic fluid prior to birth, which can cause problems if inhaled into its lungs before taking its first breath of air.

According to Maguindanao folk belief, if the child defecated after labor, the child will become disobedient, hard-headed, or delinquent, or will live a wretched or misguided life. If the child will urinate while or after being brought outside the womb, she/he will have a sarcastic/bitchy/feisty personality, and will always go against his/her parents’ will.

PREGNANCY: Part II

TAKE NOTE: This is not anymore practiced because this is against the teachings of Islam.

Caring for the pregnant woman is a very important and special task for the husband and the parents of couple. With the upper class, the parents hire a personal walian that will stay in the house of the couple just to take care the pregnant woman.

The walian will check the right hand of the woman every now and then and interpret the pulse beat of the palm. The walian will also give aromatic oils and other massage potions.

If the woman’s belly aches, the walian will recite an incantation and will rub leaves and seeds like “leti (dried tip of nipa), kadingag (______), luya (ginger), kalawag (yellow ginger), lansona na lanang (garlic), lown na umbos na ubi mampay (__________), bayabas (guava), kapok (leaf of a cotton tree),” and many others (This set is called TUBPA).

After rubbing those leaves and seeds, a chicken egg will be glided all over the belly. The egg must be freshly picked from the hen’s nest. The tubpa is placed in the aching area. Then, after that, the egg is rubbed to the belly.

After that, the egg is cracked, separating the egg yolk and the egg white, and will interpret the formation on her palm. From there, the walian will determine the reason why the pregnant woman is aching.

The usual interpretation is that the aches are caused by bad spirits or the pregnant woman might have done something to the unseen. This is determined from the cracks of the egg or sometimes if there is a white formation or circles in the egg.

If that happens, the couple will have to make an offering to the unseen. They will do the KABPAGAPAL (offering) or giving BALENGAT/BENGAT or weaved bamboo filled with food.

There are three types of BALENGAT/BENGAT:

1. Binudtod – hill-like, or round shape, from the word budtud or ant hill

2. Binulodto – rainbow like, from the word buludto or rainbow

3. Binuwaya – shaped like an alligator

If the unseen lives in a hill (ant hill), the APAL (offer) used is the BINUDTOD. If the unseen lives in a tree, the APAL is BINULUDTO. And if the unseen lives in water, the APAL used is alligator-shaped.

Therefore to avoid hurting the unseen, the pregnant woman is prohibited from going under the shade of big trees or pass by a river if the couple has not done the KAPENGGELED (see article on KALILANG).

According to the folk belief, if the couple haven’t done this, “Apo Buaya” (King Alligator) will cause them harm (drowning, capsizing and other mishaps in the water)

DETERMINING THE DUE DATE

The walian will know if the woman’s due is near from the pulse in her thumb. If the pulse is felt almost near the tip of the thumb, the pregnant woman’s due is near or she will give birth anytime soon. And if the pulse is felt at the middle of the thumb, her due will not yet come.

PREGNANCY: Maguindanaon Beliefs and Practices

Pregnancy B&W portrait by Taqu/from Hakima Midwifery

Before, there is no family planning in Maguindanaon culture. It is un-acceptable among the Maguindanaon culture. Islam also prohibits artificial family planning, only natural family planning is allowed. They practice natural family planning, but the most common is by “setting the uterus on the side,” with the help of the walian. The walian will position the uterus on the left or right side of the stomach so that she will not get pregnant. If she wants to get pregnant, she will ask the walian to return it to its normal position.

Also, before, early pregnancy should not be announced to the public (no baby shower, huh? hehehe). Since people do not know that sperm cells can easily fertilize the egg if intercourse is done during fertile days, other people might think that the couple had sexual encounters prior to their marriage.

They don’t also believe that a woman can get pregnant after one sexual encounter. Maguindanaon women were also shy to tell other people that they are pregnant because this will indicate their sexual activities or other people might think that they are promiscuous.

In the case of parentally-arrange marriages, women are also shy if they will get pregnant few months after their marriage.

After knowing that a woman is pregnant, the following are rituals are done: Note: These are not anymore practiced, because some of the rituals are against the teachings of ISLAM.

1. LEKAT: meaning to ablate. The verb is KAPE-LEKAT. Technically, it’s a pre-natal massage.

This is performed by the walian or a quack midwife. The act of lekat is to massage or rub the belly of the pregnant woman with the use of a Maguindanaon delicacy called “panialam.” A kanduli (thanksgiving banquet) is also prepared during the performance of the ritual.

Panialam is a sweet rice cake; Photo from S-H-E-N-G's Photostream

Aside from panialam, the following must be prepared in performing the Lekat.

a. Coconut Sprout (tu na niyog)

b. banana sprout (taluad na saging)

c. husked coconut (niyog a naupalan)

d. one saucer of un-husked rice (isa ka talam a palay)

e. one saucer of rice (isa ka talam a begas)

f. two candles (dua timan a lan sok)

g. needle and thread (lagom endo tanol)

f. husked or unhusked rice placed in coconut shell (10 handfuls) (tulak or panulak) – the purpose is to drive away evil spirits or bad tidings.

The house where the pregnant woman is staying should be decorated with a RED flag placed on the side where the sun rises (east).

Inside the house, a nice bedding is prepared for the coming of the child. In performing the lekat, only women and her husband are allowed in the room.

Two walian should perform the lekat. One walian should sit on the side of the husband who chose the walian, and the other one should sit on the woman (usually the mother or a relative) who chose that walian.

Covered with a malong, the pregnant woman is made to lie on her back. The two walian will put oil on their hands and will rub her belly, reciting a chant. Then, they will remove the malong and expose only the belly of the woman.

One of the walian will start the oil massage. Then, the walian will massage it with panialam. After the first walian, the second walian will perform the same procedure.

After the massage, one of the female relatives/visitor will position on the head side of pregnant and throw the needle and the thread below the feet of the pregnant woman and will push the panulak its way through the feet, starting from the side near the head to the side near the feet of the pregnant woman.

The ritual has a meaning: the needle symbolizes comfortable life. The needle is used in sewing and it passes through a cloth; this symbolizes that every hardships that the couple will pass through they can overcome it.

The thread, it being long, symbolizes long life and long married life. The tulak or panulak and the act of sliding it through the side of the pregnant symbolizes easy labor.

After this, one of the walian with recite an incantation and will give the panialam to the couple and they will eat it. Ewwww.

AFTER the massage ritual, the couple will be seated next to each other, the woman on the front and the husband at the back with their feet straightened and facing east–as if the are rowing a boat.

One of the walian will get the husked coconut and a bolo knife. The walian will crack/slice the coconut above the head of the couple. The act of slicing the coconut is KAPEDTEMBAB. When the coconut juice is about to come out, the juice will be placed in a container together with the “babas” composed of medicinal plants placed in a basin or pail.

The walian will stand in front of the couple and will strike the two shells with each other above the head of the couple, but slightly away from the couple, as if tossing a coin. This will be done thrice. If the shells will show the interior (meat part) or both will show the exterior part, the walian will give another toss until such time that one shell will show the exterior part and the other shell will show the interior part.

The meaning of this is that if the exterior of the head or the upper part of the coconut shell will show, the first child of the couple will be a BOY. If the exterior of the lower part of the shell will show, the first born of the couple will be a GIRL. (a traditional ultrasound, huh?)

The head or the upper part of the coconut shell

After the “kapedtembab,” the walian will now prepare the “BABAS.” The babas is composed of herbal grasses and plants like “kilaa, kauyag-uyag, salimbangon endo sapal,” used as lucky charm for the couple. (Will name it some other time). The babas is soaked in a pail or container with the coconut juice.

Kilaa – (literal meaning: known or popular), it is a plant called ____________. It is used so that the couple will be known to good people. They will meet equally-good people and people will know them as a good couple and people will respect them.

Kauyag-uyag – (literal meaning: life), it is a plant called heavenly elixir or Makabuhay in Tagalog. It is used so that they will have a meaningful life, that even how hard life would be, they can stand on every trials.

The makabuhay plant is a clinging vine, and the name itself suggests the primary purpose of such plant. Makabuhay is a Filipino translation of the English term ‘pro-life or to give life’.

Kauyag-uyag or Makabuhay in Tagalog

Salimbangon – (came from the word bangon which means rise up). A plant called _________, it means they can rise up in every failures that will come to their life.

Sapal – (literal meaning: prohibit) A plant called ________; it is used so that they can avoid anything that is bad.

Palitiyaya or Palitiyala – (literal meaning: obey) – called Purging nut tree or Tubang Bakod in Tagalog. It is included so that the child become obedient.

The walian will whisk the wet plants to the couple, then to the family of couple, then to the relatives and other visitors. After that, a kanduli is prepared.

a. First to be prepared is the “tudtugan” or an incense placed in a dried coconut shell (explained in other articles). The tudtugan is composed of dried marang peel and a dried sap of a tree. An imam is called to perform the kanduli rituals.

After the kanduli, the husband will plant the coconut sprout and the banana sprout. The intention in doing this is to symbolize that whatever happens to the coconut and the banana, the child will grow and live like the two plants. If the banana and the coconut will grow healthy and bear many fruits, the couple will have a prosperous life. If the opposite will happen, then the couple will have many hardships, financially, and they will have a difficult life.

TO BE UPDATED SOON. I WILL FILL IN THE BLANKS. Please bear with my English. hehehe.