Brace yourself... Hehehe.. This is definitely the most lengthy post to this blog. After three busy days celebrating my aunt's wedding festivities, you can be sure there are lots of pictures that I would like to share. So... here goes!
On 3rd July 2008, the Menghantar Berian and Nikah ceremony was held. In our custom, the groom gives 'berian' to the bride (also called as 'hantaran') which consists of the mas kahwin (a compulsory amount that must be given to the bride in an Islamic wedding) and belanja hangus (a sum of money which the bride has spent for the wedding ceremonies). The groom also gives iringan kasih, that is other items as gifts to the bride which can range from personal apparels, shoes, handbags, etc. As a sign of love and respect, the bride in return showers the groom with her berian. In my aunt's case, a total of 25 gifts were prepared (the groom gave 23 altogether), and they consisted of personal apparels as well as specially cooked dishes for the groom and his family. In Brunei, the groom usually goes back to his family after the Nikah ceremony (although they are officially married), and waits until the Majlis Bersanding before moving in with his new bride.
Here are some pictures of the berian for the groom which mummy had helped decorating.
On 3rd July 2008, the Menghantar Berian and Nikah ceremony was held. In our custom, the groom gives 'berian' to the bride (also called as 'hantaran') which consists of the mas kahwin (a compulsory amount that must be given to the bride in an Islamic wedding) and belanja hangus (a sum of money which the bride has spent for the wedding ceremonies). The groom also gives iringan kasih, that is other items as gifts to the bride which can range from personal apparels, shoes, handbags, etc. As a sign of love and respect, the bride in return showers the groom with her berian. In my aunt's case, a total of 25 gifts were prepared (the groom gave 23 altogether), and they consisted of personal apparels as well as specially cooked dishes for the groom and his family. In Brunei, the groom usually goes back to his family after the Nikah ceremony (although they are officially married), and waits until the Majlis Bersanding before moving in with his new bride.
Here are some pictures of the berian for the groom which mummy had helped decorating.
Nini bini helped cook three dishes, namely chilli-fried shrimps, pineapple curry and beef rendang. Mummy decorated them, and their joined effort produced these three beautiful and delicious meals.
After the Nikah ceremony, we also held the Berbedak Mandi ceremony which marks the start of berbedak or berlulut on the bride, i.e. putting on special white powder paste on the whole body to enlighten her appearance.. mummy says it is sort of the treatment in the spa.
For this ceremony, the bride sits in between four huge candles and family members then put powder paste on the palms of her hands. The rest is left for the pengangun, an elderly woman who accompanies the bride throughout the festivities.
After the ceremony...
Hehehe... Nice cushion!
Mummy taking picture with nini green and her 5 sisters and a sister-in-law (far left).
Being silly...
Mummy and nini green...
My two lovely grandmothers.. Nini bini and Nini green
Me and some of my cousins.. Only 6 of us out of 23!
Some of my other cousinsOn Saturday night, another ceremony is held, i.e. Majlis Berbedak. It is similar to the other ceremony before this, the only difference is that this time, the bride wears special traditional decorations on her head. It takes a while to put on, and similarly so when taking them off! They do not come in one piece, and only skilled ones can put it on correctly according to our customs.
The multi-coloured bedak or powder paste, henna and bunga rampai (Malay version of pot pourri).
After the ceremony, we then had a 'party'. Family members gather together for karaoke and lucky draw prizes. All family members chipped in to sponsor the gifts, and we end up exchanging gifts with each other. With the huge range of prizes, almost everyone was lucky!
At the same time, we had a surprise for nini laki and nini bini. That Saturday, 5th July 2008, is also their 32nd wedding anniversary. We bought a blueberry cake and nini laki and nini bini were very delighted with the surprise. Happy anniversary!
At the same time, we had a surprise for nini laki and nini bini. That Saturday, 5th July 2008, is also their 32nd wedding anniversary. We bought a blueberry cake and nini laki and nini bini were very delighted with the surprise. Happy anniversary!
Mummy has only two brothers, wawa Jufri (singing) and amit Zul-helmi (wearing the red t-shirt)... and both can sing very well!
Safiya dancing with ... guess who?THE WEDDING DAY
Yesterday was the big day: the bersanding ceremony. An interesting custom was the adat berbasuh kaki which is exclusive to the people originating from the Tutong district of Brunei Darussalam. The bride and groom sits together, place their right foot on top of each other, on top of a machete and a sharping stone, water is drizzled on by the guests. It's really interesting to watch the bride and groom's feet getting wet! Hehehe...
The dome for the adat berbasuh kaki. Our cameraman from Malaysia was enjoying his first-hand look at our traditional custom.
Safiya mesmerised by the pot of water full of flowers.
The bride and groom..
Guests circling the bride and groom during the adat berbasuh kaki.
Family picture.. Poor Safiya.. I guess she was tired and sleepy.
Ohh.. Ngangah and Wawa came to the wedding. Yeayyy!At night, we held the last ceremony, the 'Berambil-ambilan'. Basically, the bride and groom again sit on the pelamin, and after a photo session with family members, we all went outside to enjoy our dinner. We finish the whole ceremony with recitation of prayers.
That's the end of it!
To Hajah Norazlinawati & Haji Saifful, congratulations on your wedding!
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