Every country has its own unique culture. One of them is the form of culture in our area of Aceh that is still being carried out and continues to be preserved, namely the wedding ceremony which is full of meaning, symbols, and others. The wedding ceremony is a symbol to interpret every step of the bride and groom so that in life it can be better. Marriage ceremonies are not only carried out to fulfill sacred and religious elements, but also require humans who have strong, physical, spiritual, and healthy characters.
The Acehnese traditional wedding ceremony is one of the cultural elements that we must and continue to preserve, considering the lifestyle of the people who have begun to change due to various cultural influences from outside and many people in various places who leave the custom in marriage.
In the procession to the traditional Aceh wedding, there are several series.
A. Before marriage
- Jak kaloen.
Jak Kaloen is a breakthrough procession carried out to find out and get to know the prospective bride.
This procession will usually be carried out directly by the parents or a special envoy from the male side.
The family of the prospective groom (linto baro) came to stay in touch while observing the prospective bride (dara baro).
Usually, the groom will bring Bungong Jaroe (a gift of food). The women will welcome the male family, and continue with jak meu lake (jak ba ranub). or apply officially. - Jak ba Ranup
Jak Ba Ranub. It's like an application procession.
In this case, the prospective groom's parents will authorize Seulangke (a special envoy) to convey that the purpose of his arrival is to apply.
The Ba Ranup event is a moment of engagement between the bride and groom. Aims to bind and strengthen the commitment of prospective husband and wife.
Similar to almost all wedding customs in Indonesia, at this stage the groom will bring offerings and gifts. Starting from decorated betel, canned food, clothes, to gold jewelry sets.
The traditional Acehnese wedding offerings will be decorated on a tray or dalong. Uniquely, after being handed over and emptied of its contents, the Dara Balong family will return the tray. They also filled it with cakes in return.
Similar to engagement events in general, at this stage the family will discuss the dowry (jeulame), the day and date of the wedding to the number of invitees and the bridal party who will be present at the wedding procession and wedding party. - Ijab Kabul
Ijab Kabul is an absolute requirement for a valid marriage according to Islam. Before the marriage contract was held, Tengku Kadhi asked the condition of the bride and groom, whether they were ready to get married. As well as questions about household and worship. Before the marriage contract begins, Tengku Kadhi as the official of the Religious Affairs Office together with the male heirs checks the dowry/jeulamee (dowry) submitted by representatives, namely the parents of the groom's heirs. Together with the dowry (jeulamee), various items were handed over in the form of clothes, food, and other cosmetic tools, which were neatly wrapped in a talam lined with seuhap (a cloth covering an aceh motif).
The Ijab Kabul ceremony is held at the office of religious affairs or at the mosque, sometimes also at the bride's house.
Ijab and kabul come from the word obligatory which means to oblige and the word qabul which means to accept. Ijab qabul is used in marriage, namely the words of the parents or guardian of the bride to marry her daughter to the prospective groom. The bride's parents release their daughter to be married by a man, and the groom accepts the bride to be married. Ijab Kabul is an agreement between the two parties.
Usually the pronunciation is in the aceh language "ulon master of marriage, aneuk lon (if it is the father of the woman who pronounces it)....(name of the bride) ngon gata (name of the groom) ngon meuh...(amount of dowry that has been agreed upon) mayam "
"I marry my child to you (called the groom's name) with a dowry. (called the agreed amount) grams "
" The answer is that I accept the marriage of your daughter (bride's name) with a gold dowry. (amount of dowry that has been agreed) Cash".
the next step. Kadhi or the religious affairs office asked the witnesses if their marriage was legal. If all witnesses state that it is valid, then the marriage is valid. If the witness answers no, then the marriage process will be repeated.
B. After the wedding.
- Wedding Party
Before the marriage contract there is a process of wearing henna (boh gaca) for the bride and groom. This custom is heavily influenced by India and Arabia. but now the custom has shifted to only the bride wearing henna. and the period of using henna which used to be a few days before the marriage ceremony has now changed to a few days before the party takes place. - Khatam Al-Quran
Because the Acehnese traditional wedding procession is still thick with Arab culture, it is necessary to complete the Koran.
This ceremony is led by the teacher of the Koran and begins with the reading of a prayer for the happiness of the world and the hereafter. and read the last verse of the Qur'an.
When finished, they will shake hands with each other, give thanks and ask for forgiveness and blessing from the teacher of the Koran. - Intat Linto Baro.(Delivering the groom)
This procession is one of the most awaited ceremonies, because it is the peak event of welcoming the groom, and being escorted to the bride's house.
In this ceremony the bride has dressed up and wore traditional Acehnese clothes complete with a bun and cak cengnya. Before being side by side, the bride is guided to face both parents to do sungkem to both parents, then just sit on the aisle waiting for the groom and his entourage to come. Likewise, the groom after being fully clothed, performs sungkem to both parents to get their blessing and then goes to the bride's house.
The groom and his entourage are welcome to enter and be handed over to the traditional parents of the woman. Then the groom is under the umbrella of a traditional leader from the woman's side, and then guided to rah Gaki (washing feet). This is a symbol that to enter the household one must be in a state of purity both physically and mentally.
The bride who sits waiting for the groom is then guided to welcome the groom by doing seumah (sungkem) to the groom, as a sign of respect and dedication. In the linto baroe welcoming ceremony, it is usually accompanied by the Ranup Lampuan dance (a guest welcoming dance in Acehnese customs) and reciprocated rhymes. - Intat dara Baro (deliver the bride)
Delivery of the bride is the last ceremony in the wedding procession which is held on the seventh day or a few days after the event of escorting the groom to the bride's house. Welcoming the bride at the groom's residence, the procession begins with the giving of various kinds of traditional Acehnese cakes, and the exchange of areca nut by traditional leaders from both parties.
When the bride's entourage arrived at the groom's gate. They were picked up by the family in front of the gate of the house, carrying a cerana containing areca nut. then the bride is led to the aisle, while the group eats the feast that has been provided. However, the bride and groom also eat with the group.
Then they were led to the kitchen to get acquainted with the kitchen, the bride was asked to hold a bowl of salt, which symbolizes being good at cooking food for the family, being able to feel her husband's shortcomings in shopping and kitchen needs.
Then hold the rice sack containing the philosophy of being able to manage kitchen affairs sparingly, and still pay attention to family meals.
Then they were led back to the front of the house to get acquainted more closely with the groom's extended family. Starting from the maternal and paternal lines onwards.
Okay, finish all the processions for the traditional Aceh wedding ceremony
By @latifah1