Back from summer vacation, lot of questions asked by my friend regarding the wedding in my hometown Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The story that I will tell you based on the experience of the people around me and just remember it may be different from the other places in Aceh.
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Proposal”]will you marry me?”, it may be not directly said to a girl. Once a man intend to marry the girl. He will meet the parents and talk about his intention. If the girl is agree to be married.. Then there will be the next stage ( remember: even though the guy ask the parents, all decision is made by the girl, no pressure 🙂
Back home, if you are a gentleman, meet the parents.[/toggle]
[toggle style=”closed” title=”Engagement”]When the girl agrees, then the male’s family will come to the girl’s . Both family meet and talk about the wedding day, the dowry and some wedding preparation ( venue, time, etc). It is usually done at night for dinner and the guy does not allowed to come ( only family*).
For the dowry, in aceh, we give pure gold (99 karat) and we measure it by Mayam ( 1 Mayam = 3.3 gram gold). The amount of gold depend on the female’s family . It usually ranges from 10 – 25 Mayam.
if the dowry is 10 Mayam, in the engagement day, the male’s mother will put the 2 Mayam – ring on the girl. Then on the wedding ceremony, the groom only need to give the rest of it (8 Mayam ).
The dowry will be a set of jewellery.[/toggle]
Here comes the bride:
[toggle style=”closed” title=”The Ceremony”]For the ceremony , it usually occur in mosque. This is when the couple say their ijab qabul ( the vow *)
It takes about 1 hour as the advice will be also given by the elder.
These are some pictures from the ceremony: the henna decoration – the mosque interior – the newlywed- the “tear” time, when the girl says thanks to the parents – the post wedding photos.[/toggle]
Oh.. I almost forget , the night before the wedding, the girl has henna night.
[toggle style=”closed” title=”The reception”]For the reception, we have two welcoming ” newlywed” parties : intat linto ( bride’s party) and Tueng Dara baro ( groom’s party). Both receptions are pretty much the same: you came , have lunch and greet the couples.
The host will give the wedding souvenir in exchange to the present you give. Present can be anything, from household appliances, glassware, bed sheet, towel.. Anything that use for both couple or some money in the envelop which you insert into money box.
During my brother’s wedding, we invited around 1000 people to come. We invited relative, friends, workmates,classmates, teachers .. Everybody to come and celebrate the wedding.
About the food, as it is gonna be for many people, so the neighbour will help you to cook. Three days before the reception they will come to your house and cook. I remember last time they come to peel kilos and kilos potatoes.. Hahahah
This is sneak peek from our kitchen
* intat linto
* Tueng Dara baro
[/toggle]
So, this is how the wedding happens in my city, Banda Aceh. You can view more pictures of the wedding in my page, “Revival’s Capture”
After telling the story of my brother’s wedding
The next question will be, ” so, when is your turn”.
And my response : ” well, let me finish my master before getting my mister “.
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