According to their beliefs, elderly men must grow beards. Therefore, every male Malakan grows a beard after reaching the age of 40. They believe that a man must have a beard before he dies. Old Malakans with long and white beards wearing long, linen shirts with three buttons resemble elders in Russian tales. Malakans do not have a church. They usually pray at home. Mass rituals are held in early hours on Sundays.