Malaysian Muslim wedding ceremony
About this recording
- Creator
- Kristin Post
- Date created
- September 4, 2000
- Duration
- 2:40
- Location
- Chini Dua, Malaysia
- File
- MP3
- License
- This recording copyright ©2000. Terms of use
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In the classroom
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I lived with a Malaysian family for about two weeks. They invited me, a complete stranger to live in their house and attend their son’s wedding.
The wedding lasted for two days, and took place at both the groom’s house and the bride’s. Each family was responsible for preparing a huge feast, big enough to feed their large families and the neighbors as well.
Many Malaysians are Muslims, and this was a Muslim wedding. All of the women wore a “baju kurong” (which is a beautiful loose-fitting dress with a long tunic and skirt that goes to the ground) and a “tudong” (colorful headscarf.) The men also wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and some wore a “songkok,” a rectangular shaped hat.
The first day’s celebration took place at the groom’s house, and involved the exchange of the vows. In this recording, you can hear the imam, leading the rest of the “congregation” in a prayer.
From my journal:
Women sit cross legged or Malay style- no feet. Girls as well. Sit for a long time. Groom talking with friends. Finally groom brought to pillow — bride — in white — is brought in. Groom wears white silk loose top and pants with skirt of beige and gold design (over the pants.) Bride wears tiara, veil around neck, baju kebayu with gold buttons, very elaborate. It is hot, everyone is sweating.
Groom listens to priest (Muslim imam) and responds. Groom must remember and recite many things. Li trips up once. Wife notices and shakes her head. But he catches himself and starts over. This is apparently the tense part, so that when it is finished, everyone is relieved. Makes thumbs up signs. Salam holds Li’s hand, and this means he is married. Bride has ID card, they both sign papers. Bride and groom hold hands- bride kisses groom’s hand.
