Malaysian Wedding Traditions

Malaysia is like a melting pot of different cultures. This has consequently led to a rich and vivid wedding spectrum. From the Chinese to the Indians, Malaysia has different peoples all coexisting in this rich and traditional land. The wedding spectacle in Malaysian is nothing if not breathtaking. From the courting to the betrothal, the entire process is exceptional. However, one has to realize that with this mixture and meeting of cultures, the Malaysian wedding traditions vary from one culture and sphere of belief to the other. From Indian centered weddings, to those with Muslim flavors including those with a heavily indigenous essence. In the quintessential, Malaysian nuptial, both the groom and the bride are given centre stage. They are basically treated as the queen and king on their nuptial day. The bride and groom should be already engaged for any meaningful discussion by the relevant parties to commence. The dowry amount and the solemnization, is all determined during the betrothal period. This is done when the bride’s parents meet the groom’s parents in a pre-wedding setting. The necessary details are also discussed and the two parties make agreements. After the necessary agreements have been made and the actual date of the wedding set, there are the various preparation aspects that have to be put into motion. For instance the Berinai, which is also the instance when the Henna application process is carried out, is a ceremony that usually takes place before the actual day of the wedding. Henna is a kind of dye that is extracted from henna leaves. This is then applied onto the palms of the bride to be and subsequently the feet. This acts as a kind of ‘beautification’ or ‘decoration’ process.

The Nikah, is in essence represents contact signing ceremony. The contract in this case is between the Malaysian bride and the groom. This is presided over by the Kadhi, who is the religious head in the Shariat Court or Syariat Court. Subsequently, the contract between the bride and the groom is sealed by a financial contribution referred to as the Mas Kahwin. The issuance of the Mas Kahwin is a stipulation in the nikah. Additionally, it symbolizes the obligation of the wife to the husband, since it is regarded as a gift as the wife issues it to the husband. The next step is the Hari Langsung, which starts with the groom being escorted by the elders in the village towards the bride’s residence. With the groom approximately a hundred to a hundred and fifty meters from the bride’s residence the groom’s party stops and waits for the bride, who joins the groom and the both of them walk towards the house. Finally, is the Makan Berdamai, which is basically the feast of the entire Malaysian wedding ceremony. Here the bride the groom and the entire guest body and they get to enjoy the delicacies prepared for the wedding. The Makan Berdamai also takes place after the Berinai and Majlis Bersanding. The guests congregate and feast with the bride and groom.

Source : videobabylon