THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE MAH MERI COMMUNITY BIRTH: GIVING A NAME

The baby is given a name, with the consent of the parents, after safely been born. Normally a baby name is based on the name of trees, plants, fishes or a nearby place where the baby is born. Sometimes the given name is unsuitable resulting in the baby falling sick. If this happens the parents selltheir baby to new parents. It is believed that the baby illness is caused by the incompatibility between the baby and his mother. After payment is made to the new parents the biological parents then return home. However, after a short while the new parents return the baby back to his biological parents.

A small reception is held during the changing of name. Sometimes yellow rice is presented to the neighbours. The midwive does the cleansing ceremony that resembles the healing custom of the Malay communities so that the baby is safe and in good health.