Sarawak Culture PELAH HAWA Traditional Kayan Wedding

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The Wedding

Next is the bringing down of the uma jako'.

The Uma jako is a structure similar in appearance to a doll's house in Western countries. The top of the uma jako is carved to look like a hornbill and the roof and the walls of the uma jako are decorated with traditional hand rolled cigarettes (wild jungle tabacco wrapped in dried wild banana leaves). As observed in Long Laput and Long Bemang, when the uma jako is taken down, the bride is asked to pluck out one of the cigarettes and offer it to the groom and light it up for him. The groom then does the same for the bride. After that, the couple offer the jako' to the parents of both parties. The guests of honour are offered the same thing. The women companions of the bride distribute the rest of the cigarettes to the guests21.

The bride and the groom are seated and given advice or tebara by selected elders before the ceremony ends.

The advices include matters related to a new life as husband and wife, children upbringing, patience, tolerance and caring in a married relationship.

 

  • 21 The Uma Jako is only for the Maren class. The construction of an uma jako is a work of art on its own right. Long before the wedding takes place, the jako is prepared communally by the people of the longhouse. The uma jako can be re-used for future wedding ceremonies.