Indonesian love birds- How do these love birds tie the knot!

Indonesian love birds- How do these love birds tie the knot!

An Indonesian marriage has three components such as; civil, religious, and a celebration which follows regional customs and traditions.

During, Indonesian weddings the festive celebrations is often separate, and may occur during days and weeks after the legal and religious ceremonies. Each region and ethnic groups practices its own marriage customs. However, the families from both the groom and brides side get together and decide of how they should celebrate the wedding by deciding it together, but usually the community traditions are prevailed.

With the Indonesian wedding there a different types, for instances:

Javanese Wedding:

As the Javanese are an ethic majority, fifty six percent of Indonesian population. Attending a Javanese wedding is a good way to accumulate to the nation’s culture. Javanese wedding begins with a formal meeting and agreement between the couple’s families. Once they have collectively set a date, decided on the budget, and divided up tasks between themselves, the preparations then begin.

The three day celebration starts with Siraman a beautiful and touching ceremony where the bride and groom’s parents shower them with water and flower based concoction. This symbolises the last time they are bathed by their parents, and serves as a reminder of how they were cared for. After the Siraman the bride is dressed as a princess and is taken to a room, where she is accompanied by female extended relatives sometimes including those from the groom side for the entire night. Meanwhile, the groom will then wait outside her home which symbolises that he will be doting and patient husband throughout their marriage. Normally, the Siraman, is reserved for the family, but it’s possible to be invited to witness the heartfelt custom.

Day two is when the civil wedding occurs, and when all guests join in the merry-making. In line with the couple’s religion, an official will legalise the marriage as they sign their wedding documents. After the paperwork, the couple will perform a series of rituals, including throwing betel nut leaves at each other to ward off evil spirits. Finally, they seek blessings from their parents and their eldest.

Usually, this is then followed by a reception, as the couple should eat together for the first time as a married couple. Guests are invited to eat at this point, and may leave after the refreshments. People often skip the ceremonial part of the wedding and will then arrive about thirty minutes to an hour before the reception, when guests take turns to greet the couples between eating. Families often arrange for the traditional entertainment during the mingling.

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Sundanese Wedding:

While the Sundanese are also from Java, they are traditionally from the western part of the island. One of the main differences between them and the Javanese is that a majority follow Syariah cultural and religious practices. 

The Sundanese also performs the Siraman despite it not being a traditional Syariah practice. During the Ahad Nikah, or marriage, a scarf is draped over the bride’s and groom’s head, symbolising the union of their minds. After the formal wedding, the couples also receives blessing from their elders. Then, while under the cover of an umbrella, unmarried guests are ‘showered’ with coins, gift, turmeric rice and sweets for good luck. 

This is followed by a series of games that are meant to teach the couple how to live harmoniously. Lastly, the couple is fed by their parents, signifying the last time they are under their parents’ wings. After the traditional solemnisation there is a reception where the guests can congratulate the couples personally.

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Balinese Wedding:

Balinese people are primarily Balinese Hindu, which is a mixture of Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. The Balinese have three marriage ceremonies and in the same vein as the Hindu epic they are melodramatic.

The first is called the ngerorod or the elopement. The bride is ‘kidnapped from her parents’ house and brought to a pre-arrange spot while she acts distressed. The bride’s family will arrange a fake search party who after searching high and low, will not be able to find her. Meanwhile, the bride and groom will be performing rituals to be the gods and start living as husband and wife. In a few days, both their families will meet and agree on a price for the bride. This will be followed by customary celebration, as they are already considered married in the eyes of the gods. The Ngerorod is a more economical options without much extravagance.

The second way, mapadik is more aligned to other Indonesian wedding ceremonies as resplendent as they are Java. This time, the groom must formally ask for the bride’s hand in marriage. Once permission is given, the bride and groom will have a wedding prayer at a temple, conduct by a priest, and are legally married. After this guests can take part in the pomp of traditional dance, music and food usually organised by the groom.

The third ceremony is reserved for families with no sons, instead of giving away a daughter, the bride’s family gains a son. It’s another more economical option, as the bride and groom are blessed by the priest in a simple ceremony.

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Chinese- Indonesian Wedding:

There is a significant number of Chinese-Indonesian scattered all over Indonesian archipelago, and most are Catholic or Protestant. Although their ceremonies are very different to traditional Indonesian ones, they retain some Asian charm.

One the morning of the wedding, the bride’s family invites the groom to her home for a tea ceremony. After this small, private gathering, everyone heads to the church for the wedding. There ceremony is very much the same as other Protestant or Catholic ceremonies, but conducted in Bahasa Indonesia.

The reception, which is similar to Western ones, is usually held on a grand scale more than 1,000 guests can be invited. There will be dinner and some dancing, and the bride and groom will likely be holding court on stage while guest take turns to congratulate them. As the church ceremony tends to be quiet intimate compared to the reception be sure to check with your host if you are invited to both or just the reception.   

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Indonesian weddings are not all once colorful, joyous, and solemn. The married couples and guests are often dressed in traditional costume. Both logical dignitaries and religious authorities speak; there is a lot of food, music, and sometimes dancing are involved.

The Attire:

For most Indonesians weddings, the formal traditional wear is recommended. With the Indonesians they love a reason to dress up, so anticipate awesomely attire attendees, and an even more opulent looking bride and groom. Most Indonesian women will wear  kebayas and sarongs (styles from any region are accepted), however, a formal Indonesian inspired an outfit or a western dress will blend into it too. Women are not required to cover their hair by wearing a hijab. While it is generally advised to come with your shoulders and the upper legs should be covered, you can play it by ear depending on the family and the style of the occasion. For instance, you might be able to see the Indonesian women clad in classy cocktail dresses for a banquet reception and especially hip ladies will even pair a crop with a sarong tied high at the waist.

At the end of the ceremony, wedding gifts of money which helps towards the cost of the wedding are then put into a wooden box. Money should be given in a sealed envelope.

The religious ceremony can be combined with a festive wedding party. When wedding vows have already taken place, though, there are no religious formalities. Christian weddings are sometimes are more westernised. Weddings take place in a church and the bride and groom wear their westernised marriage clothes. A reception follows, where the guests sometimes are not allowed to wear traditional dress ad food is served.

Traditional Balinese wedding are complex, long, and rich on symbolism. They can take eight hour or more, involve walking from one part of town to another, and have ceremonial stages with many Hindu priests and prayers in different Hindu temples. Up to fifty officials can be presented. Traditional orchestras and singers (Gamelan) are often part of the festivals. As festive, communal wedding ceremony is usually the rule. The wedding invitations are sometimes sent out, but that is more of a formality. The entire neighbourhood where the married couples lives is welcomes and expected to attend. Many friends and family donate time, money and their help in preparing costumes, food and everything else a marriage ceremony involves.

By: Shabnam Mangal 

Sources: 

Al-Umat, Faiz. "Wedding Kebaya Indonesia". Retrieved from: Al-Umat, Faiz. "Wedding Kebaya Indonesia". Muslimscompletegallery.blogspot.com.au.

"Once Upon A Dream." Pinterest. Retrieved from: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/474918723181917718/   

"The Marriage Ceremony - Indonesia - Angloinfo". Angloinfo. Retrieved from: https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/indonesia/family/marriage/the-ceremony

Weddings In Indonesia: A Guide To Customs And Etiquette At Indonesian Ceremonies - Honeybrides". HoneyBrides. Retrieved from: http://honeybrides.com/weddings-in-indonesia-a-guide-to-customs-and-etiquette-at-indonesian-ceremonies/