On my fourth semester, I received yet another interesting
final project and this time it was the course named Office Software
Applications (OMT255). We have been assigned to do our own website using only
our skills in HTML coding. And the topic was on Malaysian Weddings.
When it comes to weddings, of
course, designs and concept hold the highest priority. And that alone made creativity, a plus score. Which meant the website should not
only include all the beautiful pictures and colors changes, but also inserting
graphics.
For this blog entry, I am focusing on the Malay Wedding
Ceremony.
There are a few steps in the Traditional Malay Wedding:
1. Adat Merisik ("Spying" Custom)
This Adat is a getting-to-know family visit. Representatives
from the man’s family will visit the girl’s family to enable both families to get accustomed to each other. If both parties
agree, then the discussion will proceed into the engagement ceremony or the 'meminang' ceremony.
2. Adat Meminang (Engagement Ceremony)
When both families have agreed for the marriage between the prospective bride and the prospective bridegroom, preparation for 'meminang' or engagement takes place. On the day of the engagement, the young man's party will bring the items agreed upon on the gift trays. The girl's family will reciprocate with extra gift trays. The couple will not be represented by their parents but by selected persons, often senior relatives. These persons will be the spokesmen for the respective families.
The mother/grandmother of the groom-to-be will then slipped the engagement
ring on the bride-to-be finger as a sign that she is now betrothed.
3. Akad Nikah (Solemnization)
Solemnization comes, once the period of engagement is
completed. The ceremony involves the
bride and groom, the kadi (state-appointed Muslim judge who officiates the
ceremony), the wali (the one who gives the girl away in marriage, usually her
father), two witnesses, and the (lafaz nikah) marriage vow, which the groom
must recite in one breath. Gift trays which include the mas kahwin (dowry) for the bride are exchanged once again, and this time
both of them will have rings that symbolize their matrimony.
However it is also common to see akad nikah being held at
the bride's house.
4. Bersanding (Sitting-in-state Ceremony)
The bersanding day will begin with the sound of kompang
drums thumping and the groom arrived with his entourage carrying bunga manggar
(decorative flower parade). They will be greeted by a shower of flower petals
and a Silat (Malay martial arts) performance. The groom, together with his bride will then sit on the pelamin
or dais. Bersanding ceremony may be held at a house, a hotel or a resort.
✧ Selamat Pengantin
Baru! ✧
