Susuk
Encyclopedia
In Malayan culture, susuk, or charm needles, are needle
s made of gold
or other precious metal
s, which are inserted into the soft tissue
s of the body to act as talisman
s. Susuk has various supposed purposes, ranging from the purely aesthetic to the treatment of joint pains and other minor ailments. This practice are also used as protection against injury and accidents. Because the Susuk practice pre-dates the Islamicization of the region, it is prohibited (forbidden) by modern Islamic scholars (haraam
).
With the advent age of modern medical technology i.e. radiography
, the presence of susuk must be highlighted, as they may be mistaken for undesired foreign objects
.
Daisy Fajarina, mother of Manohara Odelia Manz
was said to have diamond and gold susuk in her chin. Her ex-husband, George Manz said :-
Needle
-Crafting:* Knitting needle, a tool for knitting, not as sharp as a sewing needle* Sewing needle, a long slender tool with a pointed tip* Upholstery needle, a tool for upholstery, generally thick and curved-Botany:* Pine needle, the adult leaf of a pine tree...
s made of gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
or other precious metal
Precious metal
A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value.Chemically, the precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high lustre, are softer or more ductile, and have higher melting points than other metals...
s, which are inserted into the soft tissue
Soft tissue
In anatomy, the term soft tissue refers to tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body, not being bone. Soft tissue includes tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, and synovial membranes , and muscles, nerves and blood vessels .It is sometimes...
s of the body to act as talisman
Amulet
An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
s. Susuk has various supposed purposes, ranging from the purely aesthetic to the treatment of joint pains and other minor ailments. This practice are also used as protection against injury and accidents. Because the Susuk practice pre-dates the Islamicization of the region, it is prohibited (forbidden) by modern Islamic scholars (haraam
Haraam
Haraam is an Arabic term meaning "forbidden", or "sacred". In Islam it is used to refer to anything that is prohibited by the word of Allah in the Qur'an or the Hadith Qudsi. Haraam is the highest status of prohibition given to anything that would result in sin when a Muslim commits it...
).
With the advent age of modern medical technology i.e. radiography
Radiography
Radiography is the use of X-rays to view a non-uniformly composed material such as the human body. By using the physical properties of the ray an image can be developed which displays areas of different density and composition....
, the presence of susuk must be highlighted, as they may be mistaken for undesired foreign objects
Foreign body
A foreign body is any object originating outside the body. In machinery, it can mean any unwanted intruding object.Most references to foreign bodies involve propulsion through natural orifices into hollow organs....
.
Beliefs about susuk
Susuk is claimed to be embeded accompanied by incantations and is usually done at a certain time to increase its effectiveness. It was also said that the susuk needs to be removed before death or the person will have difficulty dying. As such, susuk is usually removed once the person concerned is becoming old or falls ill. Removing the susuk also needs the skill of a knowledgeable person; usually the same person who inserted it in the first place. However, removing the susuk which was originally for beauty, will cause the person's face to be reverted back to their natural age within six months. /Daisy Fajarina, mother of Manohara Odelia Manz
Manohara Odelia Pinot
Manohara Odelia Pinot is an Indonesian model. She holds dual Indonesian and American citizenship and is of mixed Caucasian and Indonesian Bugis ancestry. She married Malaysian Kelantanese prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry on 26 August 2008.Manohara's biological father George Manz, is an American...
was said to have diamond and gold susuk in her chin. Her ex-husband, George Manz said :-
External links
- Canadian Medical Association Journal article on the analysis of the health effects of multiple susuks in a patient, as detected by radiology
- Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh article on the detection and analysis of susuks; includes photos of skull x-rays with susuks (requires Acrobat Reader)
- Dentomaxillofacial Radiology article on susuks
- Analysis of the Islamic stance on susuks, at Islam Online