Home / Commerce and Industry

Tukang urut

Tukang urut, a Malay term for a masseuses, provided therapeutic and soothing body massages to cure a range of illnesses. The body massages find their place in the practice of traditional Malay medicine. The tukang urut was invariably a Malay, operating mainly from his home unless rendering services for the sick, then he would travel to the afflicted person's home.

History
The tukang urut was knowledgeable in the practice of traditional Malay medicine and was a popular source of medicinal assistance in the kampung (village). The tukang urut would dispense traditional Malay medicines, treating common ailments using plant or animal-based ingredients. For example, migraine was treated by applying a paste of betel leaves, cumin and red onion mixed in warm water to the forehead. Tukang uruts also doubled as midwives who assisted in the delivery of babies and in toning the abdominal muscles as an afterbirth therapy. This later service became popular with non-Malays which today remains their trademark and most sought after service.

Both men and women took on the task though women far outnumbered men. Traditionally men massaged only men and women massaged only women. Most Malay masseuses embarked on their trade before the age of 30. They learnt the art from an older masseuse who was usually a relative or a friend. Traditionally, they voluntarily offered their services to their own villagers and had no fixed fees, accepting whatever was given to them.

Job scope
Though often unlettered, tukang uruts were knowledgeable about various conditions of the human body and relied heavily on their knowledge of the human anatomy during massages. In a body massage, the main purpose of a tukang urut is to relax tense and tired muscles and tone up flabby muscles. Children were also regularly massaged as it was thought to strengthen the muscles and the bones of a child. Malay masseuse mainly used minyak or "oil" to massage with its ingredients varying, depending on its purpose. The general oil for muscular massage comprises of aruda or Ruta graveolens, cekur or Kaempferia galangal, jerangau or Acorus calamus, bonglai or Zingiber cassumunar and bawang merah or "red onion". The ingredients are pounded to a fine paste, boiled with cooking oil and cooled. Using strong fingers, the Malay masseuse applies oil and massaged the body using rhythmic and even strokes. Pressure to required parts of the body was applied according to a customer's health conditions. For example, a Malay masseuse would expertly identify a strained vein at the back of the customer's neck and massage accordingly to relieve a customer of migraine. Tukang uruts also treated dislocated joints, sprained ankles and wrists using wintergreen oil and other medicated oils.

Women sought the services of a tukang urut soon after childbirth to help tone up their abdominal muscles. For new mothers, bengkong or an eight metre cotton cloth was used as a cummerbund for 44 days. The abdomen of a new mother was massaged with brandy, believed to tighten up stretched skin, and smeared with tamarind paste. The bengkong was wrapped around the abdomen fairly tightly over the tamarind paste.

Development
Since the government improved health care facilities tremendously, the need for tukang uruts declined. With the growth of prosperity, many have forsaken traditional methods for professional services. With the initiation of health spas and other related services, the services of these wise women are becoming a memory of the past. However there are a few tukang uruts who have remained, servicing new mothers and the elderly.



Author
Naidu Ratnala Thulaja



References 
Lo-Ang, S. G., & Huan, C. C. (Eds.). (1992). Vanishing trades of Singapore (pp. 42-45). Singapore: Oral History Department.
(Call no.: RSING 338.642095957 VAN)

The art of "tukang urut". (1979). Goodwood Journal, 4th Qtr., 32-33.
(Call no.: RCLOS 052 GHCGJ).


Further Readings
National Heritage Board. (n.d.). Archives & Artefacts Online, Singapore. Retrieved January 13, 2003, from www.a2o.com.sg 

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Commerce and Industry>>Labour and Employment>>Vanishing Trades
Politics and Government>>Health
Medical personnel--Singapore
Massage--Singapore
Nidwives--Singapore
Business, finance and industry>>Economics>>Labour economics
People and communities>>Social groups and communities
Health and medicine>>Medication and therapies



All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.