Last week two Muslim girls from Kathy’s English club invited Kathy and me to an acara (a gathering). As a result, I have another cultural experience to relate.

There are many ethnic groups represented in Tarakan and each observes its particular rituals. The ritual I was invited to was the ritual of “bathing” a seven months pregnant woman along with her husband. Since my Indonesian isn’t very good and translating sometimes is difficult, I am unclear about the purpose of this ritual. I believe that it is to insure the birth of a healthy baby.

A special woman, a dukun (distant relative of witchdoctors??), performed the ceremony which was held out doors. Two big basins of water were placed in front of the seated couple, who were clothed in colorful sarongs. The dukun threw bunches of flowers into each basin. The flowers had to be 7 colors and 7 fragrances. After stirring the water and flower mixture, she began pouring scoops of water over the woman’s head – three scoops were the required amount. Then she rubbed the young woman’s face, arms, and legs with a spice which looked like saffron. She followed that with a milky looking concoction and then a sprinkling of special water that she had brought with her to the ceremony. When she finished bathing the woman, she proceeded to do all the steps again but to the husband. After she finished bathing him, 6 other women (relatives and/or friends) each took a turn doing the same steps on husband and wife. By this time, the poor woman was shivering and didn’t look to be enjoying herself. Although I must say, it was such a hot day, that water looked rather refreshing to me.

Of course, I don’t believe there is any country in the world which doesn’t combine its ceremonies with food. The food was good. It was the usual rice, noodles, vegetable mixture, chicken and beef. I like the “meal” food but I have a hard time with the sweets. I work really hard not to be impolite and try everything. But the sweets are hard to get down: jellied cake, pressed rice with coconut and a red sugar filling, a spicy mixture of grated fruits (including cucumber).

Although this family is Muslim, this particular ritual was not associated with any religious customs but rather is a custom that must have been passed down for generations.