Aqiqah, Berendoi & Cukur Jambul

Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend kenduris (feasts) held to celebrate the blessed occasions of newborns. Aqiqah, I understand, is the sacrifice of an animal on the occasion of a child's birth. This is highly encouraged since the days of the Prophet Mohammad when he and his companions used to perform aqiqah when bestowed newborns. Aqiqah, ususally carried out by parents or grandparents of the newborn, has the benefit of announcing the birth, and celebrating the blessed occasion with family and friends (the poor should be included by the offering of food and meat served then).

Malay culture and tradition has included the berendoi/buai bayi (cradling) and the cukur jambul (tonsure ritual for newborns) in these occasions. The newborn is dressed in new clothes and placed in a cradle, around which the family and guests are seated. Prayers are recited and a marhaban or berzanji group will sing praises to the Prophet. They may include songs about how the new mother had undergone hardships of pregnancy and birth and how much the newborn has been looked forward to.

A very elaborately decorated cradle for a very
special baby at the ceremony I attended in
Shah Alam (CNB 2010)

The Marhaban group at the above do. Note the green coconut
on the right (CNB 2010)

A young member of the Marhaban group above (CNB 2010)

For the cukur jambul, the new father or mother will carry the baby around to the persons (usually grandparents, family elders, religious leaders) who will each snip a lock of hair. It is customary, though not compulsory, for those who do the honours to present the baby with a gift in cash or kind). The locks of hair are placed in a bowl of water and  after the ceremony is over, the father will bury the hair in the ground, anywhere in the yard.

(The dulang or ceremonial tray for the cukur jambul usually holds a new pair of scissors, and a bowl of water or a young coconut cut and shaped like a bowl. Sometimes bunga rampai, beras kunyit, some honey and dates are also included in the tray.)

The dulang at a ceremony I attended in Taman Tun Dr Ismail
(CNB 2010) 

After the above ceremony, guests will be served food (including the aqiqah meat) and drinks. Then bunga telur (party favour) - in the form of the traditional bunga telur (decorative hard boiled egg) or the more modern sweets, cakes or chocolates - are given out when guests leave.

Traditional bunga telur for the guests at the TTDI do (CNB 2010)

Note: Some families do put on very lavish ceremonies that now, there are 'party planners' who offer 'Aqiqah, Berendoi & Cukur Jambul' packages with a theme! My, oh my!

Fikrah Dr Salam (Harian Metro, 21/10/2011) Antara perkara sunnah yang boleh di lakukan ibubapa apabila mendapat zuriat adalah anak itu 1. Diazan & diiqamahkan 2. dilakukan aqiqah 3.diberi nama yang baik 4. dilakukan (tahniq) atau dibelah mulut dengan benda manis seperti kurma & dibaca doa 5. dicukur rambut & diberi sedekah seberat timbangnya 6. dikhatankan 7. menindik telinga bagi anak perempuan 8. diberi penjagaan & penyusuan sebaik mungkin.