Mysterious Peranakan Taboos by Kasie Foo

               Taboo is a prohibition resulting from social custom. It is also called “pantang-larang” in Baba Malay. We got the information of Peranakan taboos from a Baba at a restaurant in Malacca when he was having his lunch with his family, but he refused to take a picture with us. From him, we got to know that Peranakan taboos are almost the same as Chinese taboos. Here are some taboos that he mentioned:

Marriage taboos

1. Pregnant women are not allowed to attend any weddings and get involve in the preparations for the wedding ceremony.
2. A new born baby and the mother are also strictly prohibited to attend any weddings unless the baby’s “Full Moon” celebration is celebrated. Even the family members of the baby are not welcomed during the wedding as the groom and bride might think that they would bring bad luck to them.
3. Guests are not allowed to wear black or white attire while attending the weddings as these attires are meant for “sorrow occasion.”

Chinese New Year taboos

a.       Sweeping is forbidden during the first three days of Chinese New Year as they believe that good luck would be swept away. They also believe that it is considered “suay” which is known as “unlucky” when the broom touches their feet during the floor sweeping.

b.      Children are encouraged to stay up late during Chinese New Year eve as they believe this will help to prolong the life of their parents.

Funeral taboo

1. When one has just passed away, her/his family members are encouraged to cover their mirrors and reflecting surfaces as they believe that the death person would catch their soul to accompany it to the underworld.

Dining taboo

1.  Sitting at the corner of the dining table is a big “no-no” as they believe that the table corner is like a   sharp knife pointing at the person who is sitting there.

Picture Taking taboo

1. It is strictly forbidden for three person to take a photo together as they believe that the one who is standing in the middle would be the first to die.

Other taboos

a.  

1. Children are strictly not to be allowed to point at the full moon as they believe that the God of the moon would cut around the children’s ear.