He’s asked for her hand, they’ve got the wedding date, and the parents agree – what happens next?
After the bride and groom have taken leave from their parents and their extended families, the woman is escorted to the groom’s house in a procession made up of the groom’s family. In former times, everyone walked or if the man and woman were from high caste, they were carried on men’s shoulders, on sedan chairs. These days, however, most people travel in cars to make it easier.
Before the couple can enter the house compound, a small ceremony is made at the entrance. Known as upacara mekala-kala, it involves giving offerings to the underworld of demons and evil spirits, so that they don’t enter the house compound and negatively influence the proceedings. The ceremony is marked with three explosions produced by burning bamboo cylinders.
Now the man and woman can safely enter the home and the bridal suite. Another mekala-kala ceremony follows, within the grounds of the family compound. The couple sit on the ground with the priest, pray together and drink many handfuls of holy water. Then, before God, the community and certain government officials the meeting of sperm and egg is symbolically enacted. The bride is given a woven pandanus-leaf mat to hold, a symbol of her virginity. This is ceremoniously spiked and ripped by the groom using a ceremonial dagger (keris). Then the couple rise to their feet - the bride is given a coconut and the groom a leaf whip. They proceed to encircle the pile of offerings and the priest three times, with the groom gently whipping the wife from behind with the flax leaf. This is symbolic of the patriarchal nature of Balinese society. The final part of the ceremony is carried out by the high priest (pedanda). He sits on a small pavilion praying and reciting mantras, asking that the marriage will stand the test of time. Once the prayers are over, the high priest sprinkles the couple with holy water and the wedding is official in the eyes of God and the community.
Next issue: The Bridal Reception
Copyright@ Kulture Kid 2005
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