Your Guide to Etiquette and Customs at Indonesian Muslim Ceremonies
Written by Zohra C
Indonesia is predominantly a muslim country and is home to appoximately 207.2 million muslim population. Weddings in Indonesia are celebrated with full fanfare and customs followed are traditional Islamic rituals.
Here is a helpful guide when attending a muslim Indonesian wedding.
1. Research the Customs and Culture
It is always very thoughtful to gain knowledge and show interest in a different culture by learning about it beforehand.
Indonesian weddings are very traditional and follow the practice of Nikah to get married. The Nikah is held in a private ceremony or at the venue of the reception. The most important people to felicitate the wedding are the Imam (commonly known as the leader of the religious group) and two witnesses. Another important aspect of the wedding is the amount of Mahr (the obligation in the form of money or possessions paid at the time of Islamic marriage) given to the bride by the groom.
2. Appropriate Dress Code
Most of the South Asian weddings are a culturally immersive affair and donning an appropriate attire is a must. The only important detail to pay attention to is to wear modest and comfortable clothing. The women in a Indonesian wedding wear a gown paired with a hijab and the men wear a suit with a traditional cap to cover their head. Female guests ideally cover their head with fancy scarfs or hijabs.
3. Wedding Gift
It is customary in an Indonesian Muslim wedding to meet the couple and congratulate them in the reception. A common practice in the country is to present the happy couple with a gift as a token of thanks for the invitation on their big day. The guests express gratitude by gifting something that will help the couple start their new life together. Although boxed gifts have become an outdated tradition, people prefer cash as a better option. Attending the wedding empythanded is possible but frowned upon.
4. Food at the wedding
The traditional Indonesian menu includes the staple fried rice, stir fried noodles served with a variety of seafood options such as shrimp, fish, etc in sweet and sour sauce. Some weddings have an elaborate menu and include multicultural cuisines. If you haven’t been to Indonesia this is a great way to expereince the flavours of Indonesia, and good enough reason to attend a muslim Indonesian wedding.
An Indonesian muslim wedding is a union of both the bride and groom’s family to honor the sacred bond of marriage between the couple. Attending an Indonesian wedding will surely be a treat for all the senses, as the night is filled with delicious food, lively chatter and ends on a divine note by the guests showering choicest blessings on the handsome pair.
