Aiesyah's Aqiqah

Last Saturday, Mak hosted the Aqiqah ceremony for her first grand-daughter. She decided on a pink theme, as 'it's a girl this time,' so right from the start Aiesyah is subjected to gender stereotyping (me and my equal opportunities sensibilities!).

The caterer was booked before Hari Raya, and on Friday the workers arrived to set up the marquees with white and pink trimmings. Mak bought fresh pink roses to decorate the house, and Cik Azim was tasked with the flower arrangements. When Nuaim arrived home from Alor Star with his father, brother and grandparernts later that night, he was amazed to see all the preparations. "Bapak nak kawin dengan Ummi ke?"

Everyone was to wear pink the next day. The pink dress Cik Azim bought for Aiesyah fit her perfectly, and we found a hairband among some of the other gifts to match. Nuaim put up a bit of a fit initially (he hates pink) but finally relented, after his favourite grape-coloured baju melayu got all wet from playing with the fish.

The event started with a 'ladies only' marhaban and zanji session at 10.00 a.m. At 11.00 a.m, other guests started to arrive, with Ustaz Ariffin giving a short tadabbur of Surah Maryam. This was followed by the Tahnik, which was also performed by the kind Ustaz.

The food, apparently, was really good. Being on a strict pantang diet, I couldn't partake any of it, although I managed a wee bit of the mutton a'la kuzi gravy (which was absolutely delicious, BTW). For the next baby, I'll insist to have the Aqiqah after the customary 40-day confinement. After all, as Ustaz Ariffin said, what's important is to perform the Aqiqah, the timing itself is secondary (although highly recommended to have it on the 7th day).

Another part of the Aqiqah ceremony also involves Cukur Jambul i.e. cutting or shaving the baby's hair. We didn't have time to do it prperly on Saturday except for a few snips during the marhaban, so Aiesyah got her new haircut on Sunday morning instead.

Pretty pink roses in a vase, surrounded by pretty little fish.

Aiesyah sound asleep on 7 layers of songket, surrounded by ladies reciting the marhaban and zanji. Check out the bling-bling.

A Hari Raya cake (thanks Auntie Sofie!), ketupat daun palas (all the way from Kelantan), kuah kacang and nasi impit to capture the raya mood. After all, it was the 8th day of Syawal.

Nu'man attempting to lead the Zuhur prayers.

Aiesyah being treated to the 'Tok Wan Special' while Bapak holds her steady. Tok Wan has always shaved his own grandchildren's hair and insists on the old-style razor to do the job.