Islah – Malam Berbedak, Berpacar & Penggangunan

“Malam Berbedak” or “Night of Powdering” is a ceremonial event where family members and friends/family are invited to ‘bless’ the Bride/Groom by anointing the Bride/Groom with an ointment made from colored rice flour and scented oils. The Bride and Groom are dressed up in traditional Berbedak attire which is different for each one. The Bride has on a heavy brass (sometimes gold plated) headgear that has either a symbol/statuette of a chicken (called Ayam-ayam) or dragon (Naga) and is surrounded (wrapped) round with scented flowers. The groom has on a songkok (Muslim hat) or Dastar (crown made from songket cloth). Both are adorn with brass/gold plated arm bands, wrist bands, ankle bands and necklace. The Bride is also wrapped around her waist with a kain songket (usually red) that was given by the groom as part of her dowry (hantaran). [source Wiki]

Songkok

The groom

The groom and Penganggun (Wedding Attendant)

“Berpacar” is an event usually attended by close family and its also commonly known as the Henna Night. Here, the Bride, dressed up in attire similar to the Malam Berbedak sits on the ‘throne’ with her hands on her lap and family members apply a pinch of ‘pacar’ (Henna) on the palm of her hand. Bunga Rampai (fragrant shreddings of pandan and flower petals) are also scattered over her hands signifying a blessing. Some weddings, these may be carried out on the same night of the Malam Berbedak whilst others keep them separate. This tradition is mostly practiced by only those in the Brunei Muara District and not in Tutong or the other districts.

Later that night, after all the guests have left, the elders of the family then bring the bride to her bridal room where the Penganggun (Wedding Attendant) then lights 3 candles and passes them to one elderly lady sitting on the bride’s bed and to another who follows behind her. The Bride then puts her arms around the Penganggun and is led around the bed behind her three times. The Bride then proceeds to sit on the bed and blows out the three candles ending the initiation. Again, this practice is only carried out in weddings from the Brunei Muara District. [source Wiki]

Pehin Mat Zain

Pengganggunan

More photos here at my facebook.

Related posts :

• Islah & Minah – Menghantar Berian & Akad Nikah
• Islah – Berbedak Mandi

iPhone OS 3.0 Software Update

I’ve upgraded my iPhone OS to 3.0 this morning. The file size was around 200+ MB. It took me around 30 minutes to download and complete the update process.

Once OS is updated, you will notice that there’s a new application which is “Voice Memos”. You will also notice that the SMS icon is slightly different from the previous OS. Not sure why but maybe because the new OS support MMS messages also.

New application included - Voice Memos

Before the OS updates, you can’t forward a SMS. Now the forward message is excellent… better than any other phone I’ve used.

Finally... forward SMS feature

Now you can also rotate the iPhone to landscape to use a larger keyboard for typing SMS.

Typing SMS in landscape mode

Click here to read complete iPhone OS 3.0 features.

13/June/2009 Run

This morning I did my run at the Belapan Track. My leg feel fresh but I’m lazy to run more than 13 laps.

Did 13 laps in 32 minutes 09 seconds.

5.2KM or 13 laps (2nd lane)

I’m posting this from Coffee Bean @ Brunei International Airport. Waiting for my 7pm flight to Singapore.

Islah & Minah – Menghantar Berian & Akad Nikah

“Menghantar Berian” means delivering gifts which consists of all the requests during the engagement ceremony, and may also include additional gifts by the groom. The bride would also, if she so wishes, respond in kind. The delivery of the gifts is usually a grand affair, with an entourage of men or women carrying silver trays adorned with beautiful cloths on top of which would display each gift. [source Wiki]

Gifts from Islah

Gifts from Minah ... I missed gift no. 6

“Akad Nikah” is the solemnisation ceremony. It is presided over by a religious official and only involves the groom. the bride is not usually present but she will be represented by her father or a “wali” (legal family representative). Here, under the grace of Allah (God), the groom vows to accept the bride’s hand in front of witnesses. [source Wiki]

Happy couple

Related post :

• Islah – Berbedak Mandi

Islah – Berbedak Mandi

Berbedak Mandi is a ceremony to bless the soon-to-be groom and bride by close family members especially the parents, siblings and elders in their own homes. Here, they are scrubbed with traditional body-scrub powder which is applied to the whole body by the close family members. It symbolizes fertility and wealth. [source Wiki]

Haji Noor Afifi Islah bin Haji Noor Kaseh

The father ... Haji Noor Kaseh bin Ahmad

The grandma ... Hajah Aminah

The cousin ... Madame M

The brother ... Haji Kudin

The “melulut” started after the dinner.

Melulut