marhaban

we weren’t keen at first to hold a cukur rambut ceremony, what with the logistics and manpower involved. we’d have to think of the catering, the invitations, the berkats, the cleaning up afterwards, etc. very tiring, no?

we’d assumed either of our parents would initiate it, but both sides have never organised a cukur rambut before, and were unsure of the planning process. so we all left it hanging in the air, undecided.

we’d done the aqiqah for him, we thought, that should be good enough.

but we were somehow talked into it, and then things just… fell into place. and so it turned out to be a rather nice family affair.

my job was to be the Personal Assistant to the star, ensuring he’s bathed, clothed and fed. izad was the event’s Logistics Manager, ensuring food and props are in place. and we were so clever to use my parents’ house.. so we wouldn’t mess up ours. heh.

the star was wide awake and very curious during the hair-cutting ceremony, but he knew to keep still while strangers held a sharp object near his head.

perhaps he was soothed by the rousing voices of the marhaban group.

i can’t describe aptly how lovely the marhaban sounded, but it created a certain atmosphere that made me strangely touched to see these serious-looking men read prayers for him and kiss his head so tenderly after cutting a bit of his hair.

and especially so when it’s his own grandfather.

some said to shave off the entire head of hair, ‘dirty’ having come from the womb. i say, i shampoo it everyday, i’m pretty sure it’s clean now.

some said to shave it off, so it’ll grow back thicker and more evenly. i say, i love my baby’s hair as it is and he can jolly well go Kojak when he goes for NS. (thankfully, my mum supports me in this.)

some said to shave it all off, so we can weigh it against the price of gold and donate the money. so, bald babies don’t need to donate money? unfair!

some said to shave it off, and bury it underneath a shady tree so that… erm, i’m lost here, i don’t know what for!

meanwhile, anyone wants a drink?

the rest of the day was for family members to get to know the baby better…

it was a good opportunity for our parents to pukul canang, as there were actually relatives who’d only just found out i’d given birth when they were invited to the cukur rambut. a good time as any to get together with relatives who otherwise we’d only meet during hari raya or weddings.

and the last good thing that came out of the whole event?

the pile of green envelopes we collected! ;D