THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE MALAY COMMUNITY: THE CUSTOM OF ENQUIRING OR THE CUSTOM OF SCOUTING

The custom of enquiring is the first step in a wedding celebration process. This custom has the purpose of to obtain blessings and to familiarise oneself with the family of the would-be fiance a before hand prior to making the big decision of an engagement and wedding ceremonies.

This custom is also called scouting or looking around, and is conducted in various ways according to the suitability of time, place and the function to be arranged. The custom starts with an official meeting between the man side and the woman side and their representatives, with the man side presenting a ring literally called a question ring.

After a decision is reached then a date and time is fixed for the man family to visit the woman family for the engagement ceremony. The date fixed is after considering all factors like family holiday season or in conjunction with something as a remembrance of the engagement.