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.
"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.
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.
Here comes the bride:
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.
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.
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 snack peek from our kitchen |
* intat linto
* Tueng Dara baro
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 “.
