Malaysia Matrimony

About Malaysia Matrimony

Malaysia is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and as emerged as a major trading and manufacturing hub in Asia. It is also a strategically important country that serves as a bridge between Asia and Australia.

Malaysia is not a big country in terms of population – there are only 23 million people living here. But what’s noteworthy is the sheer diversity of the nation’s people and culture.

While 60 percent of Malaysia’s popular are ethnic Malays, 25 percent are of Chinese origin and 10 percent of Indian origin. Malaysians have a very diverse mix of cultures, customs, religions, traditions, languages and dialects.

While English is widely spoken in Malaysia, Malaya remains the sole national language. Chinese Malaysians speak a mix of Cantonese, Hokkien, and Mandarin, while Indian Malaysians speak Hindi or Tamil.

As you can see, Malaysia is a very complex country with a heterogeneous population. But regardless of how divergent the people are by colour, race or religion, there is something that holds them all together – it’s the idea of “One Malaysia”, all for one and one for all.

What we want to focus on here are on the wedding rituals of Malaysia. Most Malaysians follow Islam, but there are also many Hindus and Christians living there. So we take a quick look at the marriage rituals of Muslims, Hindus and Christians of Malaysia.

Marriage Rituals of Muslims In Malaysia

A vast majority of Malaysians or about 62 percent of the population follows Islam. The marriage rituals of Muslims in Malaysia are generally grand and elaborate and continue for days together.

The ceremony begins with a pre-wedding meeting between the parents and families of the bride and the groom. This could be about a year in advance to the wedding, so as to give enough time for the planning and preparation.

Just before the marriage, there is the “berinai” or henna application ceremony. Here the bride’s feet and palms are decorated with designs made from the dye of henna leaves.

Then we move on to the wedding day when the “Akad Nikah” is held. During this ceremony the bride and groom exchange wedding vows. The “Akad Nikah” can be held at a mosque or at the local Registry of Muslim Marriages. It is presided by a religious officer called as Kadhi.

A written and oral contract is made between the groom and the bride’s father after the bride and the groom agree to the wedding. A small sum of money called as “mas kahwin” is given by the groom to the bride.

This is followed by the “Bersanding” ceremony, which is a massive celebration attended by friends and relatives of the bride and the groom. A traditional feast is prepared and enjoyed by one and all.

Finally, you have a post-wedding ceremony called as the “Sambut menyambut” or welcoming ceremony conducted 2 days after the “Bersanding”. This is when the bride is welcomed to the groom’s house by his parents and siblings.

Hindu Marriage Rituals in Malaysia

About 6 percent of Malaysians follow Hinduism. Hindu marriage rituals in Malaysia are the same as those followed in India, but with a generous sprinkling of Malay customs and traditions.

The marriage ceremony begins with the engagement. This is a 45-minute ritual where the groom’s family meets the bride’s family and ask for her hand in marriage with their boy. The groom offers gifts to the bride and her family. This is followed by a small feast.

Then you have the actual day of the wedding, which is conducted in the Mandap. The wedding starts with Ganesh Puja, where prayers are made to Lord Ganapati, the greatest of all Gods according to Hinduism.

This is followed by Kanyadaan, where the bride’s father offers his consent for the wedding to go ahead. Then you have the exchange of garlands between the bride and the groom as they take their wedding vows.

Then there is the Mangalfera, where the bride and the groom walk around a sacred fire seven times as the priest recites sacred hymns. The priest blesses the newlywed couple and they seek blessings from the elders present at the ceremony.

They are now officially man and wife. Finally, there is the Viddai ceremony where bride leaves her parent’s home and leaves with the groom.

Church Weddings Rituals in Malaysia

About 9 percent of Malaysians follow Christianity. A Church Wedding in Malaysia begins with a meeting with the priest. Both the bride and the groom meet the priest and discuss their plans with him. They then book their wedding ceremony at the Church with the Priest’s permission.

Following this, the bride and the groom fill up a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry form, which is validated by the Priest. The purpose of this form is to ensure that both of them are of a sound mind and are fully aware of the responsibilities and duties that come with marriage.

The couple then visit the office of the Registrar of Marriages and fill up Form JPN.KC02. This is a Statutory Declaration that there are no legal impediments to the marriage. The JPN.KC02 is then submitted to the Church and published on a notice board. If anyone wants to object to the marriage, they are given the chance to do so. If not, the marriage goes ahead as planned.

The wedding day is the same as that in any Church wedding anywhere in the world. It starts with the singing of a hymn from the Holy Bible, followed by prayers and scriptural reading.

The groom awaits the bride along with his best man. The bridal party enters in the form of an elaborate procession. The bride comes decked in a most beautiful dress and joins the groom at the wedding altar.

The Priest reads the bride and the groom their wedding vows, rings are exchanged, followed by the solemnization of the marriage.

Finally, the marriage is registered at the office of the Registrar of Marriages and a Marriage Certificate is issued.