International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 82

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
As mentioned, this has raised a number of questions regarding the delicate balance
between modern health standards and respect for tradition.
The process of panggang has been of particular concern. The custom is based on an
ancient belief. In essence, panggang is all about providing a place of warmth for mothers
and their newborn children while they recover from childbirth. As a result, most of those
who practice panggang are located in the colder, more mountainous parts of TTS. For the
purpose of warmth, the ume kbubu provides an ideal resting place as the thick walls insulate
against the cold mountain winds (Nugrahaeni & Suwantara, 2012). Without any windows or
other forms of ventilation, the warmth of the fireplace is retained within the ume kbubu.
The process of panggang begins after giving birth. Within this process, the mother
and her child should remain in the ume kbubu on top of the woven bed or resting place for
four days and four nights (Mr. Mella 2013 pers. Comm). During this time the mother and
child are forbidden from leaving the resting place. The rules are strict and even placing ones
feet upon the ground can be seen in breach of these rules.
Panggang also involves a small fire and boiling water to be placed underneath the
woven resting place of the mother. Hot water and steam are applied to the mother’s body.
The water is prepared by boiling the water with some medicinal herbs. The water is then
applied by using a cloth dipped into the hot water and then pressed to the mother’s body. In
local languages this process is referred to as tas or tatobi (Mr. Mella 2013 pers. Comm). It is
believed that the medicinal and therapeutic properties of this process help to cleanse the
body of unclean blood and other residues left over from the process of child birth. Through
bathing in this hot water in the ume kbubu, the additional warmth is also believed to help
the mothers regain their strength and recover more quickly. The mothers and children must
remain on the woven resting places inside of the ume kbubu. This belief and custom has
been most firmly defended by the dukun. Some mothers also spoke of elders, in particular
their mother in laws as who use their position of power in the family as to pressure them to
follow this tradition.
Throughout Timor, the ume kbubu otherwise known as Rumah Bulat (Round House)
is relatively standardized in terms of structure (Nubatonis, 2013). The ume kbubu have been
built practically for warmth. Naturally, these structures can only be found in the cooler parts
of Tim