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ADAT RESAM DAN BUDAYA MASYARAKAT MAH MERI PERKAHWINAN: SEMASA DAN SELEPAS PERKAHWINAN
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Introduction and history
Most Mah Meri people marry at a young age. The age of 18 is considered the most appropriate for men while 16 for women and should not exceed the age of men. Marriage is determined by the parents, as well as the marriage is done by the parents starting from the merisik ceremony until they become a legal married couple. Some have been engaged since childhood. Usually both brides and grooms have relatives such as cousins or cousins or in the same tribe. But, it is not an offense if a man marries a woman from another tribe. However, the wife has to follow the husband, or in other words the wife has to enter the husband's tribe.
The following are the functions of customs and culture of the Mah Meri community in the wedding ceremony, especially during and after the wedding:
During the Wedding:
Raising the Bride: Marking the respect and acceptance of the bride and groom by the community.
Pencak Silat Fight: Symbolizes strength and protection for the bride and groom.
Circling the Mound: Aims to seek protection from the spirit of nature so that the household is blessed.
Gomba Flower Bath and Foot Washing: A cleansing ceremony to ward off bad luck and bring good luck to the marriage.
Eating Civilized: Symbolizes the unity and harmony of the couple, where they eat together as a sign of compatibility.
After Marriage:
Curfew for Three Days: Protects the couple from spirit interference and keeps them safe after the ceremony.
Ritual to Banish the Ghost of Satan: Provides additional protection for couples, with the aim of guaranteeing blessings in family life.
Tossing Money: As a sign of gratitude and a prayer for the couple to be given abundant sustenance and happiness.
Cancellation Period If Expenses Are Not Provided: If the man fails to provide expenses within three months, the marriage is considered void.
Customs and Wedding Ceremonies in the Mah Meri Society
Marriage in the Mah Meri community is an important event that is filled with customs and traditions passed down from generation to generation. This wedding process not only involves the bride and groom, but also the family and the community, where each stage is filled with rituals that symbolize their beliefs and cultural heritage.
Wedding Rituals
After surveying, several important ceremonies will be carried out as part of the wedding process:
Raising the Bride: The bride and groom will be raised in a symbolic ceremony that is also accompanied by a pencak silat fight, signifying strength and courage.
Surrounding the Mound: The bride and groom will surround the mound as a sign of respect to the spirit of nature that is believed to protect the marriage.
Flower Bath and Foot Washing: This is a cleansing ritual to ensure smooth household life by warding off bad luck.
Tok dukun also plays an important role in this ceremony. The groom is led around a group of girls who are with the bride who are under a veil, and they are fumigated with incense, symbolizing purification and protection from spirit interferenceTok dukun also plays an important role in this ceremony. The groom is led around a group of girls who are with the bride who are under a veil, and they are fumigated with incense, symbolizing purification and protection from spirit interference.
Tossing Money and Eating Civilized
Among other important ceremonies is tossing money, which is a sign of gratitude and a prayer for the blessings of the bride and groom. During a civilized meal, a monitor will make sure the bride and groom eat together, symbolic of their union in married life.
Prohibited After the Wedding Ceremony
After the wedding, the bride and groom must observe several taboos such as not being allowed to leave the house for three days to ensure safety from spirit interference. If the man fails to provide the expenses for the marriage ceremony within three months, the marriage is considered null and void. In addition, exorcism ceremonies are held as additional protection.
Ancestor Worship and Date Setting
Before the wedding, a ritual is performed to inform the ancestors that their grandchildren will marry, as they are believed to protect the family. Setting the wedding date also needs to be referred to the tok batin, who plays the role of spiritual leader.
Another important custom is the netting ceremony, where the netting for the bride and groom is presented. Tok batin will check the groom's preparations before being brought to the ceremony. In addition, the ritual of sharpening the teeth is a symbol of self-cleansing before the ceremony.
The proposing ceremony ended with a betel nut and betel nut ceremony by tok batin and family representatives from both sides as a symbol of family reunification and the blessings of the ancestors for the marriage to take place.
Reference Source
Bahan Bacaan:
Azyantee Mohd Zawawi. (2013) Amalan Tabu Suku Mah Meri Tanjung Sepat, Banting Selangor. Fakulti Bahasa Moden dan Komunikasi Universiti Putra Malaysia. Melayu: Jurnal Antarabangsa Dunia Melayu Jilid 6 Bil. 2 2013.
Mohd Adzlam Mat Sidek. (2024). MAH MERI – Tradisi Memperingati Moyang Laut. Malaysian Gazette. https://malaysiagazette.com/2024/02/16/mah-meri-tradisi-memperingati-moyang-laut/
Siti Farah Bt Mamat, Nurul Huda Zulyadain, Fara Adiba Abdul Kadir, Nurul Atirah Omar, Sajidah Azhar (2014).Pantang Larang Masyarakat Orang Asli Mah Meri Di Kampung Buk. https://prezi.com/qa5mcnny5ykx/pantang-larang-masyarakat-orang-asli-mah-meri-di-kampung-buk/
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Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Ahmad Zaimy bin Mohd Yusoff
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Selangor
Tingkat 6, Menara Korporat,
Kompleks IDCC Shah Alam
Jalan Pahat L 15/L, Seksyen 15
40200 Shah Alam,
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
03-5543 1654 /1763
