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ADAT POTONG JAMBUL
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Introduction and history
Adat Potong Jambul is a Malay tradition in Johor that signifies a significant milestone in a baby's life. This ceremony is typically held on the 40th day after birth, coinciding with the end of the mother's confinement period, or on the seventh day, depending on local customs.
During the event, relatives and neighbours gather to recite doa selamat and perform collective berzanji. After the recitations, the baby is brought into the main hall to undergo the ceremonial hair-cutting, known as potong jambul.
This tradition embodies cultural and spiritual practices, reflecting values of familial bonding, community ties, and blessings for the newborn's future.
The Potong Jambul ceremony serves several purposes:
Introduction to the Community: The ceremony formally introduces the baby to family members and the community, fostering social connections.
Seeking Blessings: Prayers and salutations are recited to invoke divine protection and well-being for the child.
Symbolism of Prosperity: The act of sprinkling rice and coins after the ceremony symbolises a wish for the child's future prosperity and abundance.
The baby is often dressed in traditional, elegant, and comfortable attire, typically made of batik or songket. The cradle is decorated with flowers, colourful fabrics, and other accessories to enhance the aesthetic appeal.
The hosts also distribute bunga telur and bunga rampai (fragrant flower mixtures) to guests as tokens of appreciation. The eggs given are usually boiled pindang eggs, known for their durability.
The ceremony requires the following items:
Cradle: Adorned with batik or songket and flowers to hold the baby during the ceremony.
Batik or Songket: Used for decorating the cradle and swaddling the baby.
Bunga Rampai: A mixture of fragrant flowers symbolising blessings and purity.
Rose Water: Sprinkled on the baby as a gesture of purification.
Hair-Cutting Tools: Small scissors or a razor for trimming the baby's hair.
Coconut Shell or Husk: Used to collect the trimmed hair, which is then buried around the house.
Rice and Coins: Sprinkled in the main hall after the ceremony to symbolise prosperity and wealth.
The Potong Jambul ceremony involves several key steps:
Preparation of the Venue:
The cradle is decorated with batik or songket, flowers, and ornaments.
Guests are invited to participate in collective recitations of doa selamat and berzanji.
Hair-Cutting Ceremony:
The baby is brought into the main hall after the recitations.
Religious leaders (Pak Imam), family members, neighbours, and respected individuals take turns cutting a small portion of the baby’s hair while reciting prayers or selawat.
In some cases, the baby's hair is completely shaved.
Hair Storage and Burial:
The trimmed or shaved hair is collected in a coconut shell or husk and buried around the house, symbolising a connection to the home.
Distribution of Tokens and Prosperity Rituals:
The hosts distribute bunga telur and bunga rampai to the guests.
After the ceremony, rice and coins are sprinkled in the main hall to symbolise the hope for the baby's future wealth and prosperity.
No specific individual is directly associated with the origin of Adat Potong Jambul. However, this practice has been preserved by the Malay community in Johor and Malaysia more broadly. It reflects the community's dedication to maintaining cultural and Islamic traditions as integral components of their heritage.
Reference Source
Bahan Bacaan
Yana, Z. J., & Yew, V. W. (2017). Amalan rewang dalam masyarakat Jawa di Malaysia. GEOGRAFIA Online Malaysia Journal of Society and Space, 13(3), 53–64.
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Puan Norazlina binti Othman
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Johor
Aras 6 Kiri, Wisma PERKESO
No 26, Jalan Susur 5
Off Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Larkin
80200 Johor Bahru
JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM
07-224 8270 / 223 1249
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