Monday, December 17, 2007

Melanau's Wedding

When I was small, I used to take a plunge here with my cousins...

Last Saturday and Sunday were a little bit tiring and yet unforgettable for me. Well, my uncle got married and his marriage is documentated by RTM and TV3 for being a Melanau's Wedding. It is one of the ways to show people in general the tradition and custom of Melanau people. I have no idea when are they going to show it on TV.



These are the gifts to the bride from the bridesgroom. If you look carefully, there is a coconut as one of the requirements.

Well, I am not going to tell all the details of Melanau's custom on getting married because it is confusing and I don't want to give wrong information. A marriage affair for Melanau is for me a little bit complicated and intricate. There are a lots of do's and don'ts. However, it is quite pleasing to see and involve in this tradition and custom instead of only having a 'cowboy marriage'. You know, go to the registration office, signed and have a lavish dinner.


The representative is counting the money before they are going to the brides'.


On the way to the brides'. Hehehehe, when I was small the bridge was a platform to jump off the river.


That's my sister, Alip's mum.


At brides' house, where all the negotiations taking place.


Note the beautiful background where the brides will be on 'display' tomorrow.


At night, where entertainment is in the form of singing and dancing or 'bergendang' as we called it in Malaysia.


The bridesgroom and his mum, aunties, cousins. Not to mention all the beautiful kebaya nyonya...


Ah.... of course, Twinkle and her auntie (aka my third cousin).


My cousins in beautiful traditional Melanau costume.


Kids and my sweet Twinkle...


On the wedding day where mother in law is tying traditional beads... one of the many customs...



Still tying the beads... they called the beads "manik kahet".


Bracelet....


Finally, it is done....


Godfrey and Sally... in traditional Melanau costume...


My sister and Alip, my auntie, my mum and Twinkle, and of course the couple....



Ok, the reason why there is no picture of me beacuse I was 'busy' taking pictures of others. But, I did wear that pink kebaya. It was challenging for me because I need to take care of Twinkle and at the same time trying to be involved as much as I can. As usual, on of my typical busy body aunties asking me,"Eh.. when is yours going to be?". I looked at her and told her,"No need la... I already have Twinkle". Hehehehe padan muka!




To the couple.... Congratulations.... May both of you have a blessed marriage and lots of kids!





















5 comments:

Byron Chen said...

what's that thing under the bamboo hat? I hope that was the coconut that you were referring to....

Anonymous said...

Beautiful wedding!

Great pictures. I liked the first pic, looks like a good place for a dip!

I see your sis has a drum in her hand. What do you call those drums?

Twinkle looks very sweet as usual.

But still no picture of a pink kebaya.

Twinkle said...

byron: Yes, that's the coconut. I don't know the significant of the coconut. Maybe another way telling the brides that the groom has ball big as the coconut? Hehehehehe

phil: Thanks Phil. That drum they called it gendang. Pink kebaya.. err... hehehe I am just not ready to put it out yet.

Sri Murni said...

I wish to know more about Melanau. Melaunau Belawai. I searched on the net but there is not much that i can learn. Please help me to learn... Please~~~~~

LEDEA said...

thank for the information.....and i would like to say thank you coz you have help me with my assignment on melanau wedding.