I used to joke to my friends that if they wanted to marry a Kadazan girl, they'd better get their drinking hat on and be ready to consume a tajau (jar) full of montoku (rice wine).
As seen above, a tajau can be as small as a conventional flower vase, or as big to fit an adult. :p Bet on your luck on what you might get. ;) Haha.
Of course this is not true. I just like the look of sheer fear and doubt on their quest to achieve true love ever after. :p
Even I was skeptical of it. I mean, drinking to get a wife? How degrading. Plus the joke backfire when someone answered me back by exclaiming:
"I CAN MARRY FOUR!" and he said that with genuine gleam in his eyes wtf. Scary.
But the wedding cake won't fit five avatars!
Studying in the West Malaysia for almost 2 years now, I often get remarks asking whether I'm a Malay or a Chinese. And I often allow myself to have some fun testing their Malaysian knowledge. :p
But I soon found out that regardless of my race, they would still assume my culture to be either of the two. And in lieu as per topic, they would assume that I might either have a typical Malay hantaran (dowry) or a Chinese tea ceremony.
So here's a sneak-peek on
Sabah is home to the second highest proportion of Christians in Malaysia with Kadazan and Dusun* being the largest ethnic group here, obviously have much higher number of Christians in general. Though there are also a significant rise in Muslims, myself as an example.
*FYI, there is no such thing as a KadazanDusun. Kadazan and Dusun are two separate ethnic with a different set of dialect, belief and culture altogether. Though this is an issue for another day.
APPARENTLY the dowry, or as the locals call it, the nopung, is the most significant process before a marriage can proceed in the Kadazan culture.
In ancient times, a standard dowry would consist of at least 15 buffaloes, 4 brass canons, 3 chinese jars and a brass gong.
Of course, this also depends on both families financial status and in-laws expectations. If you're a rich dude then hooray! But if you're living off daily plantation offerings and marrying a demanding in-laws, well,
tough luck, mate. :D
Like most Asian culture, life partner candidates were usually chosen and determined by the groom's and bride's parents. The newlyweds usually have only met as little as two to three times before their wedding nights. ♥ Kinky.
When both family have agreed to the wedding and dowry, a date will be chosen for the marriage. This usually happens during the groom's second visit to the bride's house.
After you get your auspicious date (usually just 2-3 weeks away), they will start looking out for omens. This includes:
Nowadays however, the younger generation have the choice to date before marriage as well as choosing their own partner that suits their heart desire. Some even share the cost of the wedding.
A majority of today's wedding is also heavily influenced by the religion the family values. A church wedding in white dresses and tux is no longer foreign for most Kadazan families now.
Though so, you can still see some whom insist certain traits of the culture in their once-in-a-lifetime event such as donning Kadazan cultural costumes at their wedding receptions and the choice of dowry. :)
I know I would like a live bull as one of my dowry in the future. ;)
And no, if you're a Taurus, you won't count. ♥
P.S.: When I posted this as my FB status, my possible husband candidates have led me from 'possibly married' to 'nearly forever alone' ranking. LOL.
I better start collecting my 99 cats for retirement companionship. Uh-oh.
As seen above, a tajau can be as small as a conventional flower vase, or as big to fit an adult. :p Bet on your luck on what you might get. ;) Haha.Of course this is not true. I just like the look of sheer fear and doubt on their quest to achieve true love ever after. :p
Even I was skeptical of it. I mean, drinking to get a wife? How degrading. Plus the joke backfire when someone answered me back by exclaiming:
"I CAN MARRY FOUR!" and he said that with genuine gleam in his eyes wtf. Scary.
But the wedding cake won't fit five avatars!Studying in the West Malaysia for almost 2 years now, I often get remarks asking whether I'm a Malay or a Chinese. And I often allow myself to have some fun testing their Malaysian knowledge. :p
But I soon found out that regardless of my race, they would still assume my culture to be either of the two. And in lieu as per topic, they would assume that I might either have a typical Malay hantaran (dowry) or a Chinese tea ceremony.
So here's a sneak-peek on
HOW TO MARRY A KADAZAN SWEETHEART
Sabah is home to the second highest proportion of Christians in Malaysia with Kadazan and Dusun* being the largest ethnic group here, obviously have much higher number of Christians in general. Though there are also a significant rise in Muslims, myself as an example.*FYI, there is no such thing as a KadazanDusun. Kadazan and Dusun are two separate ethnic with a different set of dialect, belief and culture altogether. Though this is an issue for another day.
APPARENTLY the dowry, or as the locals call it, the nopung, is the most significant process before a marriage can proceed in the Kadazan culture.
In ancient times, a standard dowry would consist of at least 15 buffaloes, 4 brass canons, 3 chinese jars and a brass gong.
Of course, this also depends on both families financial status and in-laws expectations. If you're a rich dude then hooray! But if you're living off daily plantation offerings and marrying a demanding in-laws, well,
tough luck, mate. :D
When both family have agreed to the wedding and dowry, a date will be chosen for the marriage. This usually happens during the groom's second visit to the bride's house.
After you get your auspicious date (usually just 2-3 weeks away), they will start looking out for omens. This includes:
- If either parents of the bride or groom fall sick between the duration;
- During the groom's convoy back home, they meet an accident including broken tree branch and etc;
Nowadays however, the younger generation have the choice to date before marriage as well as choosing their own partner that suits their heart desire. Some even share the cost of the wedding.
A majority of today's wedding is also heavily influenced by the religion the family values. A church wedding in white dresses and tux is no longer foreign for most Kadazan families now.
Though so, you can still see some whom insist certain traits of the culture in their once-in-a-lifetime event such as donning Kadazan cultural costumes at their wedding receptions and the choice of dowry. :)I know I would like a live bull as one of my dowry in the future. ;)
And no, if you're a Taurus, you won't count. ♥
P.S.: When I posted this as my FB status, my possible husband candidates have led me from 'possibly married' to 'nearly forever alone' ranking. LOL.
I better start collecting my 99 cats for retirement companionship. Uh-oh.
Would you be my forever?
Disclaimer: I do not claim copyright over all images used in this post in any ways. Click and it will re-direct you to itssource. Now stop hounding me.
2 jars of hope:
Oh...we still love you!!
Hey, I am checking this blog using the phone and this appears to be kind of odd. Thought you'd wish to know. This is a great write-up nevertheless, did not mess that up.
- David
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