Indonesia has many traditions that you can explore. These traditions are identical or characteristic for the community. This tradition is one of the things that can be passed down to the next generation. One of the unique traditions in Lombok is called ngurisang.

“Ngurisan” or “Ngurisang” is a tradition of cutting baby hair carried out by the Sasak people in Lombok, especially during the celebration of the Prophet’s Birthday or other big days. This tradition is a form of gratitude for the birth of a baby and also a prayer that the baby is protected from danger and given health and happiness.

History of the NTB Ngurisan Tradition

The ngurisan tradition is a hereditary ancestral heritage. This tradition is carried out for newborn babies or babies under six months to one year old. This tradition still exists today. Of course, the presence of this tradition is because it has a deep meaning and philosophy among the community.

The ngurisan tradition is a form of gratitude to God for being given healthy offspring and marks that the child has entered toddlerhood. The ngurisan tradition has long been carried out by the Sasak people.

Taken from detik.com, quoting from research conducted by Suhpawati, et al., the ngurisan traditional ceremony has a meaning that symbolizes a traditional culture as a sign of gratitude, safety, independence, happiness, responsibility, solidarity, honesty, affection, and prayer.

The traditional birth ceremony according to the Sasak people is very tense and very vulnerable. So the Sasak people hold a thanksgiving ceremony from reading prayers to avoid the danger.

The Uniqueness of the NTB Ngurisan Tradition

The ngurisan tradition is unique in that all religious and community leaders who attend the event must shave or hold the baby’s head to cut its hair. The parents of the baby carry it and then walk around to the invited guests to cut the baby’s hair or just hold the baby’s head. After that, water and coins will be thrown into the yard to be distributed to the community.

When is Ngurisang Held?

The ngurisan tradition is usually held on Islamic holidays, especially during the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW or the Prophet’s Birthday and Eid al-Fitr. However, the ngurisan tradition can also be held on ordinary days.

The Ngurisan tradition is held in mosques, prayer rooms, or at family homes. Even the ngurisan tradition can also be held en masse on Islamic holidays. So there are many babies who follow this ritual.

Usually, the mass ngurisan event is attended by the tuan guru so that parents prefer to attend the mass ngurisan event because parents want blessings from the teachers who are present.

Ngurisan Tradition Event Series

Are you curious about what is done during Ngurisang?

1. Preparation of tools and materials used (trays, bowls, scissors, yellow rice, flowers or in Sasak language ‘rampe’ and coins)

2. Food prepared as a treat for guests

3. The baby is carried by the parents with their relatives as carriers of containers containing trays and various kinds of flowers.

4. Reading of the barzanji book, sholawatan, and serakan

5. All religious and community leaders who are present must shave the baby’s hair or hold it

6. After the baby’s hair is cut, the tray containing flowers and coins is thrown into the yard to be distributed to the community

7. The closing ceremony is carried out with prayer and dhikr

This event is one of the typical events from Lombok that is usually awaited after giving birth. So, it is not surprising that families are looking forward to this event. Of course, every parent hopes that their child will be prayed for by many people and become a good and useful child.