MERISIK DAN MEMINANG - THE PROPOSAL AND THE ENGAGEMENT
In recent times, some traditions are not practised anymore. This includes the "meminang" or the proposal ceremony. This ceremony can be divided into two sections.
When a young man is interested in a certain girl, he sends a representative to check whether that girl is married or not. Sometimes the groom representative also provides a special ring. If the bride representative agrees to the proposal, they set a date for the "meminang" and "merisik" ceremonies.
When the day arrives, the groom representative officially makes the proposal to the bride. Usually the groom clique brings dowries, which includes another ring. Some more traditional and customary dowries are an arrangement of sirih leaves or a malay version of pot-pourri called bunga rampai. Then, both sides of the family set the wedding , the "hantaran" and the "persandingan" date. Nowadays, only the "meminang" ceremony is practised.
