Traditional Malay Wedding

Traditional Malay weddings in Melaka are steeped in tradition and cultural significance. The wedding ceremony itself is a combination of pre-Islamic customs and Islamic practices, and it is a joyous occasion celebrated by family and friends. Here are some of the customs and procedures typically followed in a Malay wedding in Melaka:

(1)  Akad Nikah (Marriage Contract) - The akad nikah is the formal contract signing ceremony, where the bride and groom are officially married according to Islamic law. The groom will first recite the proposal, followed by the bride's acceptance. The traditional poem recited during the akad nikah is:

“Kami terima nikahnya, dengan mas kahwin yang dipersetujui, dengan syarat-syarat yang akan dibacakan, pada hari yang akan disebutkan. Dengan ini sahlah perkahwinan kami.”

Translation: "We accept the marriage contract, with the agreed upon dowry and conditions that will be read on the day specified. With this, our marriage is legally binding."

(2)  Bersanding (Sitting on the Bridal Dais) - The bersanding ceremony is the highlight of the wedding celebrations, where the bride and groom sit together on a decorated dais. The bride is dressed in a traditional Malay bridal attire, while the groom wears a traditional Malay outfit. The traditional poem recited during the bersanding ceremony is:

“Selamat pengantin baru, semoga bahagia ke akhir hayat. Dikurniakan zuriat, sentiasa dirahmati Allah.”

Translation: "Congratulations on your wedding, may your happiness last until the end of your days. May you be blessed with children and be always under Allah's protection."

(3)  Potong Tumpeng (Cutting the Rice Cone) - The potong tumpeng ceremony is a symbolic ritual where the bride and groom cut a rice cone together. It represents the couple's shared responsibility in building their future together. The traditional poem recited during the potong tumpeng ceremony is:

“Berdua memikul beban, bersama memikul segala tanggungjawab. Bersama menanggung segala rintangan, menjalani hidup dalam kegembiraan.”

Translation: "Together we bear the burden, together we share all responsibilities. Together we face all challenges, living a life filled with joy."

(4)  Berinai (Henna Application) - The berinai ceremony is where henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet in intricate designs. It is believed to bring good luck and blessings to the newlyweds. The traditional poem recited during the berinai ceremony is:

“Hiasan yang indah, tanda kasih sayang yang abadi. Moga kebahagiaan sentiasa berpanjangan, dalam bahtera kehidupan yang bermandikan kasih.”

Translation: "Beautiful decoration, a symbol of eternal love. May your happiness last forever, sailing in the ship of life filled with love."

(5)  Merenjis (Bathing Ritual) - The merenjis ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual where the bride and groom take a ceremonial bath to purify themselves. It is believed to bring blessings and good fortune to the couple. The traditional poem recited during the merenjis ceremony is:

“Mandi junjung kasih, sejuk air membawa kasih sayang. Bermandikan keberkatan, moga bahagia abadi.”

Translation: "Bathing in love, the cool water brings love and affection. Bathing in blessings, may your happiness last forever."

In conclusion, traditional Malay weddings in Melaka are a beautiful and meaningful celebration of love and tradition. Each custom and procedure holds a special significance, from the formal contract signing to the joyful sitting on the bridal dais. The recitation of traditional poems adds to the depth and meaning of the ceremony, connecting the couple to their cultural heritage and ancestors.

Other notable customs in a traditional Malay wedding include the berzanji recitation, which is a reading of a poem praising the Prophet Muhammad and asking for his blessings on the newlyweds, and the exchange of gifts between the bride and groom's families, such as the exchange of betel leaves and areca nuts.

Traditional Malay weddings especially in Melaka are a unique and beautiful blend of tradition and modernity, with each couple adding their own personal touches to the ceremony. It is a time for family, friends, and community to come together to celebrate the love and commitment of the newlyweds, and to wish them a happy and prosperous future.

Here are three examples of berzanji recitation and poems praising Prophet Muhammad and asking for his blessings on the newlyweds in a traditional Malay wedding:

 (6)  (a) Berzanji Recitation:

            يَا نَبِيَّ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكَ،
           Ya nabi salam alayka
           يَا رَسُولَ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكَ، 
           Ya Rasul salam alayka
           يَا حَبِيبَ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكَ،
           Ya Habib salam alayka
           صَلاَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْكَ.
           Solawatullah alayka

Translation:

         O Prophet, peace be upon you.
         O Messenger, peace be upon you.
         O Beloved, peace be upon you.
         May Allah's blessings be upon you.

  (b) Berzanji Recitation:

        مَولايَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَائِمًا أَبَدًا، 
        Maulaya sholli wasalim da’iman abada

         عَلَى حَبِيبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ.
        Ala habibika khairil khalqi kullihimi

 Translation:

         O my Lord, send your blessings and peace forever,
         Upon Your Beloved, the best of all creation.

 
  (c) Berzanji Recitation:

        صَلَاَةُ اللهِ وَسَلاَمُهُ دَائِمًا،
        Sholatu Allahi wasalamu da’iman

أَبَدًا عَلَى حَبِيبِ اللهِ وَخَلِيلِ اللهِ، 
        Abada’alan habib ilahi wakhalil ilahi

مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.
        Muhammad bin Abdullahi sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam

Translation:

May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon
         His Beloved and intimate friend
         Muhammad, son of Abdullah, forever and ever

These recitations and poems are typically performed by a qari (a skilled reciter of the Quran) or a group of religious singers, and are often accompanied by traditional Malay music and percussion instruments. The berzanji recitation and poems praising Prophet Muhammad are an integral part of traditional Malay weddings in Melaka, as they are believed to bring blessings and good fortune to the newlyweds, as well as honor and reverence to the Prophet.

Here are three examples of Malay poems or pantun that can be recited during a traditional Malay wedding ceremony to bless and congratulate the newlyweds:

1. Pantun:

Sepanjang bulan yang penuh bercahaya,
Berkahwinlah dengan seindah sinarnya,
Semoga bahagia sampai ke akhir hayat,
Berkat Allah selalu mengiringi segala rasa.

Translation:

Throughout the month full of radiance,
Get married as beautifully as its light,
May happiness last until the end of life,
God's blessings always accompany every feeling.

2. Pantun:

Bersandinglah di atas takhta pernikahan,
Menjadi pasangan yang dirahmati Ilahi,
Dihormati, dicintai sepanjang zaman,
Bahagia, sejahtera dan penuh keberkatan.

 
Translation:

Sit on the throne of marriage,
Become a couple blessed by God,
Respected, loved for all time,
Happy, peaceful and full of blessings.

3. Pantun:

Seribu bintang di langit bersinar,
Pasangan baru bergelar suami isteri,
Berkat, cinta dan kasih akan terus membara,
Menyuluh jalan kebahagiaan yang kekal abadi. 

Translation:

A thousand stars shine in the sky,
Newlyweds become husband and wife,
Blessings, love and affection will always burn,
Illuminating the path to eternal happiness.

Pantun is a traditional form of Malay poetry often used in wedding ceremonies. It consists of four-line stanzas with a specific rhyme and rhythm pattern, and usually contains a message of love, congratulations, or blessings. These pantuns can be recited by family members, friends, or religious leaders during the wedding ceremony to add to the joyful and celebratory atmosphere.