Grandma’s Pantangs (Taboos)

I do believe in some of the pantang larangs (taboos during pregnancy). Probably it’s my up-bringing and growing up with many many extended families. You see, my maternal grandpa is a cassanova… literally. Hahaha! I am fortunate to have grown up with many grandmas who dotes on me since I am the first cucu on the maternal side. Now I’m left with just 1 step-grandma. If it were my real grandma, she is the kind who would go all out to tell me on the pantangs (taboos) of being a girl, a teenager, an adult and if she were still alive, I can imagine how she would sound like telling me about the taboos of being pregnant.

The pregnancy has gone well so far and alhamdullilah the doctor has confirmed that I am having twins. I’m still compiling the cost on my end. I get lethargic by the end of each work day and I just want to go home and do nothing ‘cept eat and sleep! Lol. More on the progress probably in the next entry.

So here’s a few that I found online in malay and trying my best to translate them to English. But google translation really sux! hahhaha. Some of which makes sense but some doesn’t but it’s really up to each individual. I mentioned some to both my parents and they mentioned that these taboos were in place for a reason. No harm to just be cautious. If all else fails, your daily prayers to HIM would suffice. 🙂 Well that’s my take.

  1. Do not drink coconut water and eat pineapples in the first trimester.
    – It is feared that you may have a miscarriage
  2. Do not tie a dead knot for threads, plastics or anything similar
    – It is feared that you may have difficulty during childbirth
  3. Do not knock on walls
    – It is feared that the baby’s placenta will get attached to the uterus even after the baby has been delivered
  4. Do not shower at night.
    – It is feared that there will be excessive amniotic fluid which may be harmful for the baby
  5. Do not drink a lot of iced water
    -It is feared that the baby will grow big in size and you may have a difficult birth. Some believe that it may also increase the risk of babies getting infected with yellow fever
  6. Avoid carbonated and caffeine drinks.
    – It is feared that you may have a miscarriage
  7. Do not wrap a towel around the neck and on the hair (usually for drying purposes)
    -For fear that the baby’s umbilical cord will be wrapped around the baby’s neck
  8. Cut down on eating oranges.
    -It is feared that the baby will be born with a lot of phlegm
  9. Avoid any sewing
    – It is feared that the baby’s cord will be entangled and you will have difficulties when giving birth
  10. When you happen to look at something bad/ weird, istighfar on the spot. (say a few prayers)
    – So that the baby would not recall the incident
  11. Cut down on eating bananas
    – Too much will cause the baby’s hair to be thick
  12. Both husband and wife  are not allowed to hunt or kill animals.
    – It is feared that you may have difficulty during childbirth
  13. Do not eat young papayas.
    – It is feared that you may have a miscarriage
  14. Do not beat, torture or harm and animals.
    – It is feared that the child to be born suffering from disability.
  15. Do not spike, sculpt, fish or slaughter animals.
    – It is feared that the child to be born lip or cleft defects.
  16. Do not quarrel with the mother-in-law.
    – It is feared that you may have difficulty during childbirth

Well these are just some that I found online but to each their own. 🙂 Do you have anymore to add?

4 comments

  1. Hee.. My mother and my grandmother tak kasi orang yang i tak kenal pegang perut.
    Like total strangers. Takut ada niat tak baik.

    Other than that, both are quite relaxed on the pantang. Very surprising. So i main bedal je semua… hahaha

    But i heard eating bananas not good cos it can cause miscarriage. Especially those Del Monte ones. The small2 one should be fine. Tak tau pulak abt the rambut lebat hahaha

    My mom forbade me from eating durians. Takut jaundice cos both she and my SIL kena the other time.

    1. Ooooo really I didn’t know dat on the touching of the perut! ok shall take note of that just to play safe – but it does makes sense. 🙂
      And also point take on durians, padahal a few days ago was contemplating to buy ker tak hahahah.
      Ok I shall lay off bananas just to play safe oso! Thanks for sharing!