Mulih Tiga hari / Tujuh Hari

What is Mulih tiga hari or Tujuh hari?

'Adat mulih 3 hari' is a tradition in which the bridegroom will return to his home with his wife after staying for 3 days at his wife's residence. Gifts (from the groom's family), mainly electrical appliances and groceries, will be given to the couple. This eventually marks the end of the wedding ceremony of "Puak Tutong"

Some of the gifts

Bersanding

What is Bersanding?

Bersanding means sitting next to each other by side to side in a special place. This practice is considered a highlight of the wedding customs of marriage in Malay country. And biting is the most important event of a lifetime for a bride and groom. Weddings are not considered complete if both spouses are juxtaposed on the dais. On the top of that, there are couches and chairs that are beautiful.

If none of the wedding events, wedding receptions will not be perfect and not many are willing to lend money for donations.

The most suitable time for the wedding is in the afternoon, during the many guests under a tent or hall, Usually the wedding ceremony remembered forever and is the "eternal second' memorable,

Majlis Malam Berbedak

What is Malam Berbedak?

Malam berbedak or also known as Night of Powdering usually happen at night after Isya' prayer. Which is family and friends are invited over to bless the bride and groom in their respective homes with colored rice flour and scented oils. The couple would be dressed in beautiful traditional attire for the ceremony, highlighting Brunei's rich fabric heritage, Bunga Rampai (a potpourri of finely shredded pandan leaves mixed withe flower petals and perfumes) are also scattered over the couple's hands to bless them.

Bunga Rampai and seven colored rice flour

An event attended by close family members, the malam berinai or berpacar is a ceremony where the bride is dressed in an attire similar to malam berbedak.

Bride attire for Malam Berbedak

Groom attire for Malam Berbedak

She sits on the dais before family and members take turns to apply a pinch of pacar (henna) over her palms. For some weddings, this ceremony is carried out on the same night as the malam berbedak, while others prefer to keep it separate.

Below is a short video of Malam Berbedak.

Menghantar Berian and Akad Nikah

What is Akad Nikah and Menghantar Berian?

The Akad Nikah or in Englsih we called it Solemnization is the first official ceremony where the couple ties the knot because this is where the marriage contract is sealed. At this ceremony, the groom will sign the contract and will agree to provide the "Mas Kahwin" to the bride. Which means that the Akad Nikah is the most important ceremony in the wedding because without this, the marriage would not be valid.

Well the ceremony will start with the groom sitting on a small mattress to make him comfortable facing to the Imam, which is facing to the "Kiblat". They will hold hands in a handshakes manner. And the Imam will say the words of the Akad Nikah to the groom who will then reply the Akad Nikah.

Below is a short video of a proceeding taking place. Notice that everyone is seated on the floor, with the witnesses surrounding the groom and the Imam. 

But the people in Brunei started the ceremony with "Menghantar Berian" which also means delivering gifts. It consists of all the request during the engagement day. Which is the bride-to-be request for the gifts and will be replied by the groom. The delivery gifts is usually a grand affair, with an entourage of men or women carrying silver trays adorned with beautiful cloths on top which would display each gift. 

Below is a short video of "Menghantar Berian"

Introduction

What is Wedding?

A Brunei Malay wedding has many types of ceremonies. Such as Berjarum-jarum, Bertunang, Menghantar Berian, Berbedak Mandi, Akad Nikah, Malam Berbedak, Malam Berinai, Bersanding, Ambil-Ambilan and Mulih Tiga Hari. 

But now-a-days the people in Brunei really don't follow all the ceremonies. Just the important one, which is Menghantar Berian, Akad Nikah, Malam Berbedak and Bersanding and ended with Doa Selamat.

Here is the picture for the ceremonies.

Menghantar Berian

Akad Nikah

Malam Berbadak

Bersanding and Doa Selamat