THE CULTURE AND CUSTOM OF THE BERUNAI ETHNIC THE ENGAGEMENT CUSTOM

INTRODUCTION

To the Berunai ethnic community in Labuan, visits to the girl's house for the engagement business are normally done many times, beginning with the man's side to propose. The answer is not received on the same day. When the answer is finally obtained, the man side once again visits the girl's house with a delegation for the business of to symbolize the engagement.

ENGAGEMENT

A gold ring is brought along as a discussion opener, and also to signify the beginning of an engagement with a payment of between RM100 and RM150. Then both sides fix the marriage dowry called berian in monetary form, and also items as an honor to the girl to be wedded.

A SET OF MAN ATTIRE

A set of man attire consisting of a Malay traditional costume and songkok (headwear) is to be handed together with the marriage dowry and returned to the man's side during the marriage solemnization ceremony. This attire is not needed if the future groom is present during the ceremony to hand over the symbol of engagement. The man's side brings the engagement symbol to the girl's house and hands it over to the representative of the girl's side. The future groom may also give other souvenirs to the future bride.

During the engagement period, the fiance has to make payments to his for the wedding expenses. If the fiance has a sister or sisters who are unmarried yet, or if both the fiance and fiance are not from the same ethnic, in this situation, it is called langkah dulang, langkah sungai, or langkah bendul, then the man side has to make an extra payment to the girl’s family as fixed by them.