ANECDOTES

Customs of the past :

Every happy occasion began with the distribution of Tambool. During prayers, two Tambool leaves with an areca nut were offered to God, whilst religious songs were sung. During social functions, one of the essential parts of hospitality was the offering of Tambool. Equal prominence was given during weddings.

In Maharashtra, there was a special custom where the bride held the Tambool (betel) quid in her mouth, and the bridegroom had to bite off a portion of it. This act was considered a pledge of honour and love that sealed their relationship for life. There are also examples of Rajput women eating their last quid before committing themselves to the « sati » pyre. Postnatal diet invariably included a Tambool betel quid containing special medicinal herbs and spices, which were supposed to contribute to a new mother’s recovery. In the ancient text by « Mahanubhav », called « Lilacharitra », «Chakradhar», the prominent character,» is described as giving his half-bitten quid to disciples in prayers.

The Tambool quid, had yet before another meaning in the royal courts of the great kings. Placed in the centre of the « durbar » (royal court), the king would challenge his courtiers, to undertake a hazardous assignment.

Only the man who was strong and confident enough, would pick-up the quid. This gesture was also an assurance that the job would be done, no matter what may happen.

Paradoxically, in Malaya, to offer a betel quid, is sometimes a sign for goodbye, or, tells the visitor that it is time to quit.

Still in Malaya, the saliva red spit, produced by chewing the quid, sometimes, has a salutary virtue, and other times a dangerous one. Not only is the saliva itself considered to be full of vital strength, but when mixed with the areca and the betel, it becomes a magic life philtre. « Macassar » people from « Celebes » rub the forehead and temples of sick children, with the saliva from the betel.

In the Philippines, it is the tummy of the baby which is painted, in order to prevent him from catching a chill. The « Llava » people from the Malabar coast, have yet another custom : In order to determine the sex of the child of a seven months pregnant woman, the priestess, using a betel leaf, pours some consecrate oil onto the navel of the future mother, and depending on how the drops fall, she can guess the sex of the child.

As regards divorce, the procedure is very simple : A straw of rice with betel is exchanged between the two parties, in front of a witness. In other places, the divorce is symbolized by a betel leaf cut in two parts, or an areca nut being dropped onto the pillow.

Generally, in order to settle a dispute, the complainant presents a betel to the judge. He goes to the audience and offers him four pineapples of betel. In other places, when there is an important dispute between several parties, the complainant offers fifty areca nuts to the chief of the caste, asking him to call for a council meeting.

There is a habit among « Malasar » people, according to which, a widow having chewed the betel leaf, spits it into the eyes and onto the neck of her husband.

It is sometimes used for the living, as a cure for blemishes, and as an elixir for the dead. The betel quid has the ambivalence of poison which sometimes kills, sometimes cures.

Present Customs :

Selling areca nut and betel leaves in Thaïland : A woman dressed in a 21st century fashion short skirt. If some customs, however, are out of date, betel and areca nuts are still consumed.

In Viet-Nam, the community has decided to use the ressources’ allocation towards development, in order to improve the state of roads and modernize the market. Mrs Dabg Thi Tinh, thus, buys and sells areca nuts and betel in the village of Hoa Phong. «Owing to the improvements of both roads and market, our community has a better sanitation, she says». »Before, with heavy rains, the road was very dirty. Work has now become more pleasant ».

In theThai capital, the « pilang » (betel quid) is sold on stalls, together with cigarettes and other drinks.
On major center line roads, areca nuts are also sold by charming young girls, wearing very short dresses. These betel nuts are associated with drugs. They are supposed to develop sexual energy and bring a feeling of warmth.

In this town, there are at least 300 stalls. On your next visit, do try a betel and an areca nut. But in moderation, the betel nut being one of the main causes for mouth cancer on the island.