Category: Candid

More from the Javanese wedding ceremony that we witnessed in Cemoro Lawang…

For Singaporean Chinese customary weddings, the groom arrives to fetch the bride at an auspicious hour, accompanied by his entourage of “brothers” (male friends/relatives). When the bridal car arrives at the bride’s home, the car door has to be opened by a male member from her family. The usual choice is a young male cousin of the bride’s. I am surprised that an almost similar tradition is practiced in Java: Though I didn’t really see this boy open the car door, he played a central role in accompanying the groom and his mother in the wedding procession.

I racked my brains for a title for this. I eventually chose this title because I thought it was interesting in that it can be applied to both the groom, his mother and the boy (as to when they can enter the bride’s house). The curious look the boy had on his face also makes me wonder whether if he was wondering when his turn will come when he grows up and gets married eventually.

The primary purpose of our Indonesian trip was actually attend the wedding of a family friend. It was interesting observing the wedding customs of another country especially when I myself am preparing for my own customary wedding at the end of the year.

At Ceromo Lawang, we chanced upon another wedding of the traditional Javanese sort. Having advance news that a wedding procession would be taking place then, the whole group of us decided to get ready to capture the proceedings. The wedding procession was quite a colourful affair, with the groom dressed in his finest (including make-up and all), and his family joining him in procession. A nicely decorated jeep acted as the matromonial car. With the large group of photographers (almost 20 of us!) there, it must have been the most photographically-covered wedding event the villagers have had in a while 😛

Traditional slash-and-burn agriculture in Indonesia has been blamed for the haze problems faced by Singapore and Malaysia annually at about this time of the year. Unfortunately, this method of agriculture is very much a part of life for “recycling” the earth. On my trip there, I had the chance to witness some of the slashing-burning first hand. I must say that they provide good photo opportunities despite the terrible pollution they cause!