While I was working out this afternoon Ika was taking Jevon for a haircut. His hair was getting a bit long and she felt it would be good to tidy it up. A place next to Bintang did it for 13,000rp. At 8kgs he’s a big boy and our friends wonder how Ika, who is small can carry him.
We’ve discussed getting s stroller, but the curbs here are a real pain in the neck and not ideal for strollers or wheelchairs. Balinese kids learn to ride a bicycle (2 wheelers) when they are about 3. I’ve seen them scooting around on Jl. Drupadi and other places. I’m sure Jevon will enjoy playing around in our alley, which is far from the main road.
Right now he likes my watch, keys, hat and any logo on my shirt. The other day I came home and Ika was outside bending down near the hose pipe in the parking area. She was holding Jevon next to the bushes. “Does he want to grab the hose pipe?” I asked. “No” she said “he wants to grab the bee.” Looking closer I saw a 2 inch bee flying around. Heading inside I thought I’d better just leave them to it, they will figure out between them what works.
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Jevon was born on June 30th in Denpasar and when he came into the world sported a good head of hair. According to Balinese and Javanese tradition a baby must have its head shaved sometime after birth. Traditions vary but today is Jevon's turn. Ika arranged for a man to come round and do it. In Balinese tradition the ritual haircutting is called ngutangin bok and happens at his birthday (otonan) when he is 210 days old (A local also said after 3 months so I'm not sure). Balinese kids are given gold bracelets, anklets and a necklace. A gold disc with a ruby in it is pasted to the kids forehead before the hair cutting. The head is shaved except for one strand which will guard against bad health.
Balinese and Javanese traditions overlap and are interesting to observe. The Balinese have melded Hinduism that originated in India, to their local customs (perhaps in the same way African slaves melded Christianity to their ancient customs in Cuba and Brasil), so they are one. Ika's situation is different in that the ancient local animist traditions (good and bad spirits, offerings, black magic etc.) still go on, but as a counter to Islam. Javanese Muslims somehow have to balance these 2 powerful forces which have no common ground. A Javanese lady cut Jevon's head with scissors and one of my disposable razors. She charged 25,000rp and now his head looks like a light bulb.
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