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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA KAUM BAJAU KOTA BELUD: ADAT PERKAHWINAN
Kampung Pirasan, Jalan Ranau Bypass, 89150 Kota Belud Sabah
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Introduction and history
The Bajau ethnic group in Sabah is divided into two clusters, namely the Bajau Laut cluster from the East Coast of Sabah covering the districts of Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan Meanwhile, the Bajau Sama cluster occupies the West Coast of Sabah covering the districts of Kota Belud, Tuaran, Papar, Petagas, Putatan and Tanjung Aru. These two Bajau ethnic groups are Muslim and rich in traditional practices and heritage. Even so, in marriage customs, these two clusters have different and complex structures according to their cultural practices that are passed down from generation to generation. In the context of the Bajau community of Kota Belud, this marriage custom is still firmly practiced until now as a symbol of cultural identity by displaying the values of decency, respect, and family spirit that are the backbone of their social life (Muhd Hadhari Atong, 2024).
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The Bajau Kota Beldu ethnic wedding customs are carried out with full of orderly customs and involve seven stages starting with the ceremony of Tilau-Tilau Idaan (Surveying), Mendo (Proposal), Seruan (Engagement), Norong/Malad (Delivery), Madak/Mandi Badak (Henna Night), Marriage and side-by-side ceremony, Ngendo' (Son-in-law Welcome Ceremony) and Ngedede' (Sending the bride and groom to the woman's house) (Mahali, 2024).
1. Tilau-Tilau Idaan (Surveying)
In the tradition of the Bajau ethnic community, the male parents will choose their prospective son-in-law. In order to ensure that the choice is suitable or otherwise, they will perform a 'Ngederasi' ceremony, which is merasi or fortune-telling based on the book 'Tajul Muluk'. If the result of the election is suitable for the chosen candidate, then preparations for Tilau-Tilau Idaan (Surveying) will be made. If the opposite happens, the candidate will be replaced with another option that suits their son. Following that, the man's family will send a close relative or the head of the extended family to perform Tilau-Tilau Idaan to the girl. This process aims to find out if the girl is engaged or is being snooped on by someone else. If she is engaged, the snooping process will end, but if it is the other way around, that means the mash girl has a chance to be edited.
2. Mendo (Proposal)
As soon as the Tilau-Tilau Idaan process is completed (surveying), the men's group will once again visit the women's house to do the proposal process. The entourage this time is usually more numerous than the merisik which consists of the immediate family of the male side and likewise of the female side. The head of the male group will be led by a representative who has been appointed with the title of 'Ngentan Bisoro' to be the speaker in the proposal ceremony. In addition, Ngentan Bisoro will convey the wishes of men and narrate his background using poetic language through a presentation known as 'Manuk-Manuk.
When this Mendo ceremony is performed, the woman will not give an immediate answer to accept the proposal or reject it. The period to give this proposal answer usually takes a week or two weeks at the discretion of the girl who is betrothed. However, if both parties have agreed, Ngetan Bisoro will make the next step by discussing the important essence in the initial step of the Bajau ethnic marriage which is 'Barian/Berian' which refers to the negotiation of the value of the gift. The symbolic value of this gift will be shown through 'Tigur' which is a leaf cigarette arranged to signify the value of the gift that needs to be provided by the men.
Usually, berian/barian is divided into three things, namely (i) dowry; (ii) delivery; and (iii) inheritance rights (Mahali, 2014). Dowry is a special gift for a betrothed girl in the form of money or something of a material nature. The handover contains all the expenses that will be used during the wedding ceremony later and the inheritance rights given based on 'Pikulan' which refers to the equivalent value of money representing the basic items of the traditional handover that must be paid by men.
Table 1:
Equivalent Value of Pikulan
|
No. |
Custom |
Total of
Pikulan |
Value |
|
1 |
Horse (a
horse, healthy and big, female/male) |
2 pikul |
RM40 |
|
2 |
Buffalo
(a buffalo, healthy and large, female/male) |
2 pikul |
RM40 |
|
3 |
Tawag/Gong (a pair) |
2 pikul |
RM40 |
|
4 |
Pedati
(single barrel) |
1 pikul |
RM20 |
|
5 |
Range
(one barrel) |
1 pikul |
RM20 |
|
6 |
Kris (one
blade) |
1 pikul |
RM20 |
|
7 |
Bujak/Spear
(one blade) |
1 pikul |
RM20 |
|
8 |
Selapa’ (one complete set) |
1 pikul |
RM20 |
|
9 |
Pelit |
4 pikul |
RM80 |
|
Total of Pikulan |
15 pikul |
RM300 |
|
Source: Mahali (2024)
3. Seruan (Engagement)
This Seruan ceremony will usually be carried out on a small scale involving the immediate family members of both sides of the bride and groom. Seruan is very important and carried out carefully, because this stage is the determination of the date and month that is suitable for holding a wedding ceremony. According to tradition, the prediction of the wedding date is based on the 'Twelve Stars' which usually refers to the selection of Friday; good months are Syaaban, Zulkaedah, Zulhijjah, Rabiulakhir and Syawal. The engagement period in the Bajau ethnic tradition is usually between one and five months only, but it is not final because it depends on the ability and availability of both prospective brides and grooms.
4. Norong and Malad (Delivery)
Norong and Malad customs will be performed by the men's group in two ways. The first norong is done when within a period of three months or at the latest a month before the wedding takes place involving all the delivery that has been agreed upon. While the second norong refers to the handing over of the animal's body which is done two or a day before the wedding ceremony. This norong day is known as Malad which is usually done in the morning before Zohor prayer time.
5. Madak/Mandi Badak (Henna Night)
Madak/Mandi Badak ceremony is a mandatory event performed by both parties in their respective homes. The practice is often done the night before the wedding ceremony and the marriage ceremony. The event will begin with the Mandi Badak, which is done after Maghrib with the aim of awakening the sweetness of both the bride and groom's faces. After that, the henna process is performed with the accompaniment of zanji to pray for the safety and well-being of the bride and groom. As soon as it is finished, there is a sprinkling ceremony for the bride and groom by the family and relatives as a sign of gratitude and to celebrate the bride and groom who will change their status the next day. The ceremony will be celebrated with traditional Bajau ethnic music and chants.
Muhd Hadhari bin Atong. (30 tahun). Kampung Pirasan, Jalan Ranau Bypass, 89150 Kota Belud Sabah.
Reference Source
Mahali, S. N. (2014). Berian/Barian Perkahwinan Bajau Kota Belud di Sabah: Satu Tinjauan Dini (Berian/Barian in the Kota Belud Bajau Wedding Ceremonies in Sabah: A Preliminary Study). Akademika, 84(3), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2014-8403-01
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Puan Nurshahrinna Syahrial
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sabah
Kompleks JKKN Sabah,
Jalan Tasik off KM4 Jalan Penampang,
88200 Kota Kinabalu
SABAH
088-205070
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