Sarawak Culture PELAH HAWA Traditional Kayan Wedding

Gallery

Video

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The Planning of Weddings According to Social Strata

Traditionally, the Kayans would observe the phases of the moon before proceeding with such activities as weddings, building a new longhouse, farming, and so forth. It is considered auspicious to conduct the above mentioned activities during these lunar phases: the musit (crescent), the butit halap (2/3 moon), and the beliling jaya (full moon).

Before the man's parents can send a representative to the woman's parents for the purpose of asking for the woman's hand in marriage or peteng doh8, the right day has to be chosen. When the proposal is accepted, the parents of the couple shall inform the Maren Uma (the head of the longhouse) of the future betrothal.

Traditionally, a date is set for the atep hawa whereby the engagement tokens are given by the man to the woman to signify their engagement. The presentation of engagement tokens has to be done in front of the Maren Uma and the elders of the longhouse. The items presented are examined thoroughly by the group and other guests. The atep hawa must comply with the class structure / stratum of the couple to-be.

An important aspect of Kayan marriages which is similar to the Iban people's marriage practices is the question of "who joins whose amin" that is, whether the groom will join the bride's amin or the bride joins the groom's amin. This decision-making process is called pekivan and the result of the pekivan determines where the post-marital residence should be, that is either with the bride's family or with the groom's family. If for example, the bride chooses to take up permanent residence with the groom's family, then marriage gifts (kivan) will be given by the groom to the bride's family.


  • 8 Adet Kayan-Kenyah, Op..Cit, p.163. A formal request for a lady's hand in marriage.