Melanau Wedding

Melanau is one of the ethnic that live in Sarawak, Malaysia. They are mostly centered in the vicinity Batang Rejang, Oya, Igan, Mukah and Balingian areas in Sarawak.

Melanau weddings consist of few stages, which include select bride by the boy’s parent who either go in person or send a representative, negotiation about the wedding ceremony, sending gifts, and the ceremony itself.

The three stages are Betrothal Ceremony, Wedding Day and Adet Petudui.

In the past, Melanau Wedding is much more different compare to the others. For now, the ceremony is almost the same as the others. The gift such as food and animal (in traditional way) are now replaced by gold and money.

Although polygamous marriage, with the consent of the first wife, is permitted in Melanau marriage, it is very rare and usually leads to divorce.

Read the next post for more information about the three stages of the wedding.