what ritual is this? limes/ candles/ nails

[firdaus]

Dear Frens,

I'm considering joining silat as a hobby. Plus, I always have interest in martial arts. I'm now learning Muay Thai.

I have a fren in silat and he has asked me to join his academy.

However, I have a big concern about silat ritual.

My fren takes lime bath every day. Besides that, his diet include taking honey every day. I'm fine with that but recently from my observation (we are housemate), in his room, he kept a bowl of yellow rice and on top of that a white candle and 3 nails (2 inches long) pointing towards the candle. Inside the bowl also contain kemayan and pebbles. In addition, he kept "asam keping" with salt in a tupperware.

I have asked him what ritual is this but he insisted of keeping the details except it's his guru instructions. Also, he kept giving $$ to his guru monthly, which I can't afford. The school fee is only RM50 but he has given "donation" RM200-RM300 every month.

I'm quite confused and I hope someone from this forum can enlighten me.

[Michael Lee]

Hello Firdaus!

At my school the fee is only 60US$/month.  That is about half of the standard monthly fee here in the United States. 

I don't know anything about the nails, candles or rice but I can take a stab at the lime juice thing.  On the Silat episode of the Human Weapon episode show, they showed a Haramiau group that put lime juice into their eyes as a way to build up tolerance for pain.  Maybe the lime juice your friend is using is for a similiar purpose?

Michael