The Different Stages In Malay Wedding
As the Center for Malaysian Best Make Up Artists, we take our consumers needs seriously and dearly to ensure we fulfill all the needs of each client. The diversity of Malaysia is not a challenge, instead is a uniqueness to be embraced by each elements of the country especially those who work in the Beauty World.
The different layers and shades of skin colour in each ethnicity compliments the country's beauty which is shown daily and can be easily seen in every corner in both Peninsular or Borneo part of the colourful nation. The need of make up is obviously not only varied from type of skin to another but also depends on the occasion each ethnicity holds.
We all know that Wedding Days are every Make Up Artists best friend. So in this edition, we would like to bring up Malay Weddings as one of the best example to describe one of the traditions inherited throughout the generations. Talking about Malay Wedding means we are about to describe one the richest element of this particular ethnicity of Malaysia hence, set your seat straight and let us guide to swim the beauty of the Malay Wedding Processions.
The Stages of Wedding
In general there are 6 different steps of Malay Wedding. This can be identified by each activities that mark the progress of how a couple is the best fit to each other.
1. Merisik
The first phase that marks by the visit of young man's family in search of the best candidate. Here one of the family's delegation (Wakil) will be in charge to assess the girl's background and even initiate an interaction to the family to explain his intention and whether the feedback will lead him to an even further investigation. This introductory activity is commonly practiced to give the man's family an early identification about the candidate and whether she is also interested in the proposal.
2. Bertunang
Once the Merisik reachd a positive feedback and consensus between the two, delegation of the young man's family will pay another visit to discuss about the date of Bertunang. Gifts and Money which symbolically will be handed from the Man's Fam. to the Woman's to support the Wedding's expenses, and also the date and time of Wedding Ceremony. Bertunang or Engagement is the event where both family representatives sit down and have an even deeper discussion about Wedding Arrangement or, even, the penalty of one side is breaking the engagement.
3. Hantaran
The follow up of the bertunang is Hantaran where each side exchange gifts and this is also the execution of what has been agreed upon Adat Bertunang whereas it concluded the type of gift and amount of money given during this procession.
4. Malam Berinai
In this phase, the bride-to-be is being pampered with Henna art on her arms. Not only on the aesthetics but Henna tradition is also implies the hopes it symbolizes including repelling evils, and to keep the bride to be protected from all sorts of disturbances before and after the wedding.
5. Akad Nikah
This is the main part of Solemnisation where both the Goorm and Bride attended side by side in front of the Solemniser. The groom will declare his vow clearly in front of all the attendants which sealed with the dowry which symbolizes both readiness to start a new life.
6. Hadang & Bersanding
After The Akad Nikah, the Man will visit the Woman's home accompanied by drum band and relatives bringing Bunga Manggar along and complete a tasks such as reciting poems. Later both will sit side by side, treated like King and Queen, while the guests are coming give their blessings and congratulations.