The Household COO

Here’s another couple that had to adhere to the superstitions about “no renovations and no moving house” during pregnancy. Pantang is the word used to describe people who hold on to these beliefs as rules they have to follow in life otherwise something bad will happen. Here’s one context in which you would use it:

“They’re pantang about such things.”

I used to laugh and scoff about such things but in the interest of keeping the peace, I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut. I still remember the first time I related a story about a colleague who also didn’t believe in such superstitions…

When my colleague’s wife was pregnant, he told me he quietly hammered some nails in his new house so he could hang up some pictures. We had a good laugh about it and I related the story to the hubby thinking that he would appreciate the humour. The last thing I expected was to be slapped back with a statement like, “That’s seriously f***ed!”

My first thoughts were that he felt the superstitions were “seriously f***ed”. When I clarified, I later realised that what he meant was that he thought my colleague was “seriously f***ed” for going against the beliefs. I was too stunned for words but I learned quite quickly after that day how seriously some people took their pantang beliefs.

Since I’ve gotten pregnant, there are a whole host of pregnancy superstitions that I have had to take in stride. They range from mildly amusing to outright ridiculous. I don’t like the idea of a superstition running my life, but I suppose if it stops the nagging, I’ll probably opt for a decision leading to harmony rather than to have to endure an endless abuse to my ears…

So what am I not allowed to do?

I can’t eat bananas - at least, not the imported type. The local bananas are fine, apparently. I really don’t know the reason for this so I won’t elaborate any further.

I am not allowed to visit graveyards. I guess it has something to do with dead life and the new life that now exists within my belly…

I am not allowed to visit hospitals at night. I would have presumed it was something to do with being around sick people, but why at night? I can’t figure this one either.

I’ve got to stay away from paint or people painting stuff. There’s a belief that the baby will be born with a birthmark if I do.

My MIL has taken to making some “goodies” for me to drink during my pregnancy, all designed to keep me healthy now that I have a parasite inside of me leeching all my nutrients. I don’t complain because they taste pretty nice and I know my MIL has put in a lot of effort to make this stuff and it’s really sweet to know she cares so much for my best interests. There’s also a belief that if she puts this stuff into a metal container, the metal will leech all the nutrients out of the drink. Enter the Thermos, with it’s glass lining, it makes a superior container for storing these things.