Tukang urut

Tukang urut is a Malay term for masseuse. The art of urut is a pioneering trade practised by both men and women. A tukang urut provides therapeutic and soothing body massages to provide relief for a range of muscle aches, cramps, pain and even strains. Female tukang urut also perform pre- and post-natal massages.¹ 

History
The art of urut is usually a well-kept secret of first-hand knowledge passed down from one masseuse to another. These masseuses are usually related by familial ties, but in some cases, can also be close family friends. A new tukang urut will typically massage their own relatives and friends living in the same kampong (Malay for “village”) before progressing to help those in other kampongs. There was no fixed fee and the tukang urut would accept any amount of money. Their knowledge and skills were deepened through practical experience accumulated over the years.² 

Some tukang urut also practiced traditional Malay medicine and were a popular source of medical assistance in the kampong. The tukang urut would dispense traditional Malay medicines, treating common ailments using plant-based ingredients and herbs known as Indonesian jamu.³ 

Job scope
The skill of the tukang urut lies in their ability to give a body massage that not only soothes but sets right physical disorders. This is done by pressing their thumbs or hands on certain nerves in the body or pressure points.⁴ Though often unlettered, tukang urut are knowledgeable about various conditions of the human body and rely heavily on their knowledge of the human anatomy for massages.⁵ 

Tukang urut use minyak (oil) with different ingredients in it, depending on the particular ailment, during the massage. The oil for muscular massages usually comprises aruda (Ruta graveolens), cekur (Kaempferia galangal), jerangau (Acorus calamus), bonglai (Zingiber cassumunar) and bawang merah (red onion). The ingredients are first pounded to a fine paste, boiled with cooking oil and then cooled.⁶ 

The masseuse would apply the oil and massage the body using rhythmic and even strokes. Pressure to particular parts of the body would be applied according to a customer’s preference and condition.⁷ 

Women would seek the services of a tukang urut for pre- and post-natal massages. This was to help tone up their abdominal muscles after childbirth. For new mothers, a bengkong, an eight metre cotton cloth, would be used as a cummerbund for 44 days. The abdomen of a new mother would be massaged with brandy, believed to tighten stretched skin, before being smeared with tamarind paste. The bengkong would then be wrapped around the abdomen tightly.⁸ Some tukung urut are able to provide midwifery and confinement services as well. In recent times, the government has required that such persons must be registered and come under the authority of the Singapore Nursing Board.⁹ 

Over time, professional services have become preferred to traditional methods. With the advent of health spas and other related services, the demand for traditional tukang urut has been declining.¹⁰ Now, Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) offers massage courses under their beauty and wellness programme¹¹ and those interested in midwifery can attend certified midwife courses organised under the WINGS-KK Hospital Confinement Nanny Training Programme.¹² For new mothers who are in need for assistance can contact professionally trained midwives from registered agencies.¹³   



References 
1. Suryani Omar, “The Original Asian Spa,” New Paper, 22 May 2002, 34 (From NewspaperSG); Singapore. National Heritage Board, “Discover Singapore’s Pioneering Trades Through Firsthand Account of Six Tradesmen and Community Contributions,” press release, 14 March 2013. (From National Archives of Singapore document no. 20130321009)
2. “The Art of Tukang Urut,” Goodwood Journal, 4th Qtr (1979): 32–33 (Call no. RCLOS 052 GHCGJ); Abdul Ghani bin Hamid, “Malay Masseuses,” in VanishingTrades of Singapore, ed. Ghim Lo-Ang Siew and Chua Chee Huan (Singapore: Oral History Department, 1992), 44. (Call no. RSING 338.642095957 VAN)  
3. Suryani Omar, “The Original Asian Spa.” 
4. Judith Holmberg, “Massage Magic,” New Nation, 1 November 1978, 10‒11. (From NewspaperSG)
5. Abdul Ghani bin Hamid, “Malay Masseuses,” 44.  
6. Abdul Ghani bin Hamid, “Malay Masseuses,” 42.  
7. Abdul Ghani bin Hamid, “Malay Masseuses,” 42–43.  
8. “The Art of Tukang Urut,” 33; Abdul Ghani bin Hamid, “Malay Masseuses,” 43.  
9. “About,” Singapore Nursing Board, n.d.; Nurses and Midwives Act, Cap 209, The Statutes of the Republic of Singapore, rev. ed.  2012.
10. Suryani Omar, “The Original Asian Spa.” 
11. “Institute of Technical Education. High Nitec in Beauty & Spa Management,” Institute of Technical Education, n.d.  
12. “Be a Certified Confinement Nannies: Confinement Nanny Programme,” Council for Third Age (C3A), n.d.
13. Tara Tan, “More Home-Grown Confinement Nannies,” Straits Times, 9 October 2009, 44 (From NewspaperSG); “Midwives Who Deliver More Than Just Babies,” National University Hospital, n.d.



The information in this article is valid as at 2016 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.