A Rooster’s Choice: Naming Newborns in Malaysia
In Malaysia, there exists a unique tradition for naming newborns. Instead of the parents solely deciding on a name, they opt for a more unconventional method involving a rooster. This traditional practice involves naming children after deceased family members.
Here’s how it works: Parents compile a list of potential names and prepare rice balls, each labeled with a specific name. The rice balls are set out, and the decisive element is a fighting rooster, also known as the “Manok Sawai.” The name on the rice ball chosen by the rooster becomes the child’s name. Interestingly, in the Sarawak state, unnamed children are often temporarily called “Plants,” meaning “worms.”
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