Minangkabau wedding traditions

The tradition of marriage according to Minangkabau adat event typically through a procession which is still upheld to be implemented and involves a large family of both the prospective bride, especially from the female's family. Here are some traditions and rituals commonly performed both before and after the wedding:

1. Maresek

Maresek is the first assessment as the first of a series of procedures for implementation of the marriage. In accordance with a system of kinship in Minangkabau, the woman's family came to the family of man. Normally the family who arrived with his hand in the form of fruit cake or fruit according to the manners eastern cultures. At first some women who experienced was sent to find out whether the targeted youth are interested to get married and match with the girl. The procession may take place several times a negotiation to reach an agreement from both sides of the family.

2. Woo and Exchange Signs

Family prospective bride's family came to woo prospective groom. If the fiance is accepted, continued to exchange the sign as a symbol binding agreement and can not be decided unilaterally. The event involves a parent or ninik mamak and elders from both sides.

Prospective bride's family entourage comes complete with carrying betel nut is prepared in Carano or kampla namely bags made from pandanus leaves. Betel presents early meeting with the expectation if there is a shortage or irregularities will not be a gossip. In contrast, the sweet things in the meeting will stick and be remembered forever. It also included a souvenir of pastries and fruit. Objects that are exchanged are usually heirlooms such as kris, traditional cloth or other object of value to the family history. These objects will be returned in an official ceremony after the marriage ceremony took place.

Tata's how begins with a family spokesman women who serve full betel to be sampled by the family of the man as a sign of sacrifice. The spokesman expressed the official application. If accepted to continue with the exchange sign each bond. Furthermore, pick-up procedures usually hold a discussion about the prospective groom.

3. Mahanta / Request Permission

The prospective groom's inform and ask your blessings to the mamak-wedding plans mamaknya, brothers of his father, his older brothers who had married and respected elders. The same is done by the prospective bride, represented by female relatives who are married by way of delivering the betel.

For prospective groom took selapah containing palm leaves and tobacco (but currently sedah replaced with a cigarette). As for the prospective bride's family to include betel complete this ritual.

This ritual is intended to inform and pray with her wedding plans. Usually families who attend will provide assistance to bear the burden and costs of marriage according to ability.

4. Babako - Babaki

The family of the prospective bride's father (called bako) wants to show his affection to bear the costs according to ability. The event took place several days before the marriage contract.

Equipment supplied is usually a complete betel (as customary chief), yellow rice singgang chicken (traditional food), conduction of goods required prospective bride as a set of clothing, gold jewelry, good side dishes are cooked or raw, cakes and so forth.

Following tradition, the prospective bride was picked to be brought to the house of his father's family. Then the elders to give advice. The next day, the prospective bride paraded back to her home accompanied by his family with the father carrying various relief materials earlier.

5. Night Bainai

Bainai means attaching soft collision leaves red henna or henna leaves into the clutches bride. These collisions will leave marks on your nails bright red color. Normally held the night before the ceremony. This tradition as an expression of love and blessings from the elders of the family of the bride.

Special clothing for ceremonies bainai bersunting namely clothes and low figures. Other equipment used include water that contains the scent of seven flowers, leaves iani mashed, yellow umbrellas, yellow jajakan fabric, fabric hoops and chairs for the bride.

Prospective brides with character shirt and low bersunting taken out of the room flanked by his peers. The event symbolically bathe with water sprinkled seven fragrant flowers by the elders and the parents. Furthermore, the nails prospective bride was given henna.

6. Manjapuik Marapulai

It is customary that the most important event in the entire series of events according to Minangkabau traditional marriage. Grooms picked up and taken to the house of the bride to carry out the ceremony. The procession is also accompanied by granting title to the prospective groom's heritage as a sign of an adult.

Normally the family of the bride should carry a complete betel in Cerana indicating the arrival of the habitual, complete the groom dress, yellow rice singgang chicken, side dishes, cakes and fruits. To the west coast of Sumatra are usually also includes a yellow umbrella, spears, swords and pick up money or lost money.

The delegation delegation of the prospective bride's family to meet the prospective groom, carrying equipment. After the procession Sambah mayambah and express purpose of his visit, the goods delivered. The prospective groom and his entourage marched towards the residence of the prospective bride.

7. Reception at Home Child Daro

The tradition of welcoming home the prospective groom's bride is a woman typically festive and great moments. Accompanied by the sound of traditional music that is typical Minang gandang talempong and Tabuk, and rows of traditional reciprocal wave consisting of young men dressed in martial arts, and traditional dress greeted the virgin that presents betel.

Betel in complete custom Carano, golden yellow umbrella, yellow rice, white jajakan fabric is typically used equipment.

Family umbrella prospective bride groom was greeted with waves Traditional dance of reciprocity. Next, the rows of pigeon welcome party complete with offerings of betel. The elder woman grooms sprinkle with yellow rice. Before entering the door of the house, the prospective groom's foot as a symbol of purifying water sprinkled, then run up the white cloth to the venue for the ceremony.

8. Tradition after the ceremony

There are five common Minang traditional event held after the ceremony. Namely memulang sign, announcing the title of the groom, pitted forehead, yellow rice and playing dredge Throckmorton.

* Repatriate sign
After officially as husband and wife then sign a binding promise given when application is returned by both parties.

* Announcing the groom's degree
Degree as a sign of honor and manhood that carried the groom usually announced immediately by ninik mamak family.

* Complain forehead
The couple was led by the elders of the bride women touching their foreheads to each other. The bride and groom are seated facing each other and between the two faces separated by a fan, then slowly lowered fan. After that the bride's forehead would touch each other.

* Mangaruak Yellow Rice
This procession suggests cooperative relations between husband ISRI must always hold themselves and complement each other. The ritual begins with the bride and groom compete to take the hidden chicken in yellow rice.

* Playing Throckmorton
Throckmorton is a traditional permaian Ranah Minang. That is a kind of chess game made by two people, board games like checkers. This game is meaningful for the bride and groom can be mutual and ego melt stiffness of each in order to create intimacy.

Adapted from the book: Marriage Customs Procedures Minangkabau by Nazif Basir & Elly Kasim