THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE MAH MERI COMMUNITY MARRIAGE: DURING AND AFTER A MARRIAGE

The marriage ceremony begins with conditioning the couple teeth with the purpose of discarding any ill omen, so that all their problems before marriage are not carried forward after marriage. Some say that this ceremony is to prove that the couple have reached adulthood and are able to carry their own responsibilities.

Aday before the sitting on the dias ceremony the couple is required to undergo the henna ceremony that lasts till in the morning, intermittent with dance events. The couple fingers are painted red with finely pounded henna leaves.

The dias in front of the couple house is made of woven coconut leaves or palm leaves while the pillars are made from wood designed as a small house. If the tribe lives in a longhouse then the couple sits on the dias in the middle of the longhouse to be seen by other family members. During this ceremony all family members bless the couple by sprinkling scented water and glutinous rice as a mark of agreement to the marriage. Various dishes have been prepared and distributed to guests to be consumed together with the representatives of both sides.

The newly-wed couple attire is mediocre and most are according to their own traditional costume. They are adorned with various hand-made accessories like bracelets and necklaces made of colourful beads. The headgear is made of tree leaves.

The marriage ceremony ends with the couple is bathed to signify that they are safely married. Only then the couple is confirmed as husband and wife. Normally the bride lives in the groom house for a certain days as a mark of family ties of both sides, apart from getting to know closely with her husbands relatives and friends.