Susuk: Charm Needles under the Skin

Embedding foreign objects into one's body seems a high price to pay for beauty and success, but many are willing to take the risk with the ancient art of "Susuk".

I found this article when i was browsing up.. somehow the whole ancient story about it seems intriguing and quite rather mysterious for those involved in this old taboo. Anyways; as we all known Susuk is haram in islam in any-way as it changes what god has given. Do readup as its good info for us all--

Ancient Malayan Talismans, Modern Medical Skepticism

Known as “charm needles”, susuk is believed to bestow the wearer with many blessings, ranging from the aesthetic to protection against minor ailments and injuries. These needles are inserted in the soft tissues of the body by bomoh, or witch doctors, using methods which have been passed down by generations.

With roots in Malayan culture, susuk embodies the idea that beauty is not just skin deep, but literally deep beneath the skin. Common susuk sites include the chin, forehead and cheeks. Others, especially those looking to increase their sexual allure, opt for implantations in the hips, breasts and even pubic area.

Types of Susuk and Taboos

Among the items which are believed to possess beneficial qualities are gold needles, diamond particles, mercury and organic ingredients such as fruits, betel leaves, turmeric, pepper and shallots.

For example, susuk berlian (diamond implants) are supposed to provide a significant boost to one’s business or career; susuk emas (gold implants) will enhance one’s physical attractiveness; and susuk ayat (herbal implants) are meant to be talismans to ward off bad karma.

There are various taboos which susuk wearers are advised to adhere to, in order for the charm to work. For instance, right after having the procedure done, wearers are not supposed to scratch their faces, eat bamboo shoots or chicken, or pass under clotheslines and stairs for several days. The taboos vary from one practitioner to the next, but one thing most bomoh do agree upon is that not following these “rules” will render the charm ineffective, or even cause the needles to pop out.

A darker threat to susuk wearers is the belief that these charms may last for life, and are hard to get rid of. If the bomoh who had implanted the charms dies before releasing them, the wearer will die a slow, painful death.

Religious Objections and Medical Woes

Ironically, the country in which susuk is most commonly practised is predominantly Muslim. According to the Islamic Religious Council, susuk is expressly forbidden, as it is against their belief that only God has the power to change the mortal destiny humans have been given. The accepted opinion in the Shafi`i's madh-hab (school of jurisprudence) also states that the belief in the permissibility of black magic isharam (illegal), and will render one an apostate.

On the other hand, one of Malaysia’s most prominent practitioners Awang Yahya Mohammed claimed, “Wearing susuk emas and susuk berlian are forbidden because once implanted they will not decompose...[but] susuk ayat is all right because it is organic and will eventually be absorbed by the body.”

Another point of contention is raised by modern medical practitioners regarding the safety of susuk. As most bomoh are not medically trained to make incisions, the wearer might suffer infections if the needles are not sterilised, or if nerves or arteries are hit. Quoted in Malaysia’s The Star, plastic surgeon Dr. R. Gunasegran who has had to remove implants from many susuk users warned, “It might be difficult to remove as over time, our bodies form layers of tissue that embed the needles deeper.”

Self-Esteem and the Eye of the Beholder

Nowadays, many are of the opinion that susuk is simply a tool for the gullible. There has been no indisputable evidence that these charms can indeed increase one’s attractiveness, but as Dr Gunasegran points out, there is a definite psychological link.

“The susuk wearer is automatically programmed to believe she has been transformed. She strides out looking more confident and, of course, she will appear more attractive to others. The mind is such a powerful tool that if you believe in something, it will happen.”

Read more at Suite101: Susuk: Charm Needles under the Skin: Ancient Malayan Talismans, Modern Medical Skepticism http://www.suite101.com/content/susuk-charm-needles-under-the-skin-a82263#ixzz1BM9ji0Og