Tonsuring (mundan) is an important ceremony in Hinduism. Muslims too shave or trim the baby's hair. The first haircut is an important ritual and it is believed that shaving the hair rids the child of his past life's negativity. Some believe that a mundan bestows a long life, a better future and also protects the child from the evil eye. in some communities, the hair on a newborn's head is considered impure and it is believed that only a mundan can cleanse the child's body and soul. Some believes that a mundan helps release escess body heat and keeps the baby's head cool.
Source: http://www.babycenter.in/baby/traditions/mundan/
We, however, shaved Aduka's hair at the barber. His first trip to the barber at one and a half month old. It started out okay while he was asleep, with hardly any response from him, and his daddy holding his head, the barber manages just fine. But then, it probably felt ticklish as the electric shaver runs across his head that he woke up, made some unhappy sounds, twists and turns with each shaving move. It ended smoothly, unravelling a newly shaven baby. He looks truly awesome, fresh and clean. We didn't think a ritual should be done for the above, a small 'kenduri syukur' for his birth was good enough, held on Hari Raya Haji as requested by his Oma.
Great grandfather carrying a newly shaven Aduka awkwardly on Hari Raya Haji, it is too cute.
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