Coconut box

Collections
1621790
Title
Coconut box
Year/Period
1920s
Region
Malaya and Singapore
Dimension
19.0 x 23.0 cm
Accession No.
2025-00661

This coconut box, modelled after green coconuts, was likely used for ceremonies such as cukur jambul, which marks a newborn’s first haircut. As per tradition, a lock of newly shorn hair was placed in a green coconut which was then buried. In contrast, silver versions such as this box were purely for decorative ceremonial use.