CULTURAL HERITAGE
MALAY WEDDINGS
Malay Weddings are filled with much tradition, protocol and
colour.
One of the best ways to understand traditional Malay culture
is to participate in Malay wedding, which is fascinating and steeped in age old
tradition.
A Malay wedding begins with the akad nikah ceremony. The
groom signs the marriage contract and agrees to provide the bride with a mas
kahwin. After that, their hands are dyed
with henna during the “berinai besar” ceremony. The bride’s hair is also
trimmed or her eyebrows shaped by a beautician known as the “ mak andam”.
The next day , the groom is accompanied by friends,
relatives , musicians and bunga manggar
( palm blossom) carriers to the bride’s house where they are usually greeted
with the sprinkling of yellow rice and scented water. Sometimes , the pencak
silat or the traditional Malay sword dance is performed. To add gaiety the
joyful affair, the groom and his party are required to overcome humorous
obstacles before being allowed to go in.
During the bersanding ceremony, the bridal couple will be
seated on the dais and sprinkled with yellow rice and scented water by family members, relatives and guests as a
sign of blessing. Each guest will receive a bunga telur, which means “ flower
and egg” – a symbol for a fertile union. After the bersanding ceremony, the
wedded couple and their guests will attend
a celebratory feast called the makan beradab.
This involves the bride and groom feeding each other
sweetened rice. The celebrations are later concluded with poses for family
photos.
Filled with interesting rituals, the Malay wedding
preparation and ceremony is sure to make for an eventful day if you actively
participate in all aspects of it. A mock wedding can be arranged for you as a
part of your homestay experience.
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