Watch Closer to the Dayak Ngaju Wedding Ceremony

In this article, we will tell you about our trip to the northern of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. We go to a small village called ‘Luwuk Kowan’ which is located in Telaga Antang District. Our trip to this village took approximately 5 hours using land transportation to attend the wedding party of my younger male cousins, Pipin Juadi Ongek with a beautiful girl his idol 'Susi' from this village.

When arrived at Tumbang Sangai village, we have to change vehicles, because of there were several road points from Tumbang Sangai to Luwuk Kowan that were impassable, so we had to continue our journey using river transportation. We rented a fast boat or “Kalotok” to go to Luwuk Kowan village.

The first day of my trip in Luwuk Kowan, we carried out a traditional Dayak wedding, which is a legacy of the ancestors of the Dayak tribe since ancient times. About 09.00 am, the bridegroom is making up in such a way by the make-up that he looks more handsome and looks charismatic like a ‘KING’. Likewise, the bride is made up in such a way as a ‘Queen’. It is said that in ancient times, in the traditional Dayak Ngaju marriage, the Bridegroom and Bride were called "King and Queen for a Day"

After finishing his makeup, the groom who has been polished like a King, along with his guards, Hulu Balang and royal courtiers, go to the house of the bride or the ‘queen’.

As the Queen, nobody can enter to her palace. That’s why when we go to her house, we were stopped by the queen's troops in front of the 3-door gate made of split coconut fronds.

In the traditional Dayak ngaju language, this gate is called ‘Lawang Sakepeng! On Lawang Sakepeng are installed sewing thread across them and hung with various kinds of flowers and no one is allowed to pass through this gate.

It is said that according to the marriage myth of the Dayak Ngaju tribe, long times ago! Because of his strong desire to marry the queen to be his wife, the Bridegroom, or the King, forced come into the queen's palace, so a fierce battle between the King's Guard and the gatekeeper of the Queen's Gate.

The King's trained troops were able to beat back the gatekeepers of the Queen, so that the King managed to enter along with his troops. It is the myth that has been circulating, and that's why nowaday every time Lawang Sakepeng is held, it is always accompanied by the attraction of the Pencak Silat.

Nowaday, Lawang sekepeng attractions are accompanied by the Dayak’s traditional music in the form of 2 (two) Gendang manca and 1 (one) Gong or 'Agung Suku Dayak' according to Dayak language.

Attractions carried out by two peoples from different sides, namely the pair of fighters from the bridegroom and the bridge's fighters. In this attraction, the groom’s fighters should break the barrier thread installed on Lawang Sakepeng.

After passing a series of Traditional Lawang Sakepeng, we were unexpectedly greeted by beautiful dancers who were specially invited from the dance studio, Tumbang Sangai Village. These beautiful dancers, accompanied us to the Bride's house.

In front of the door, we were greeted warmly by traditional leaders and the Bride's family. But, almost 10 minutes we were in front of the door, how come we weren't invited to come in?

Several times later, I knew that the door had installed a wooden cross and a piece of cloth installed upon it. According to the Adat Dayak Ngaju’s term, this wooden bar is called "Pantan"

Later I know, that there are several series of Customs ceremonies that must be carried out in front of this door. One of them is the traditional elders and the bride's family, asking the purpose of our visiting.

Mina Indu Taji, who was carrying 'Pundut Panyirau' and a traditional figure of the Bridegroom, answers straightforwardly all their questions in the rhythm of 'Sana Bandar'

Before entrance, the groom is asked to break a free-range chicken egg that is placed on a whetstone and put in a bargain right in the middle of the entrance to the house of the bride. Don't ask me what it is for, because this is a series of Dayak's Customary!

After being invited to come in, Mina Indu Taji immediately handed over the “Pundut Panyirau” which were witnessed by the bride and the traditional leaders. In the 'Pundut Panyirau' there are items of Custom details requested by the Bride and her family. Generally, the details of the customs requested by the bride usually consist of: Palaku Batang Adat, Saput Pakaian, Parewes Pelek, Lilis Lamiang, Gong Dulang Panyirau, Bulau Singah Hambaruan and Pundut Panyirau. It does strange sound to hear. But that's the name!

In the evening, there are musician to entertain the guests and invitees who came. The second day, the Marriage Blessing is held at the Bride's house. because of the bridegroom are Christianity, the Blessing of Marriage is carried out by a Priest. The question arose in my mind, why should an Traditional Marriage be carried out, if the Blessing of the Marriage is still carried out in a religious manner?

I asked to several well-known traditional figures in this village, they answered that the traditional marriage must be carried out if the bride is from the Dayak tribe. This is to fulfill the Customary law and to witness the fulfillment of the details of the Custom from the Bridegroom to the Bride's family.

What is stated in the Book of Customary Law regarding the wife of a Dayak girl, the provisions of the Customary Law must be fulfilled by men from whatever ethnicity, said Dewin, The Coordinator Mantir of traditional customs in this village.

But on the other hand, even these traditional leaders admit that a customary marriage is still not valid if a blessing has not been implemented. Blessing in this case is a religious Blessing. So, if the bridegroom are Christian, please the Pastor or Priest blesses it. If the bridegroom are Moslem, that means the blessing should be held by headman, said Bue Ogoe, the traditional elder in this village,ending our conversation.

About 12:00 noon, the Wedding Cake Cutting was carried out on the stage by the Bride and Groom which was witnessed by the attendees. This means that this series of marriage events has ended. One sentence from my family to my lovely younger cousin, Have a nice life to Pipin and Susi. Tuntung Pandang Ruhui Rahayu, until death separates both of you!