Learning Indonesian Culture - A Mosque, a Wedding, and a Seventh Month Pregnancy Event

Indeed, while there are always fun parties, fancy balls, and exciting places to go in Jakarta, some of the most interesting and educational things I've done in this city involved learning more about Indonesian culture.  As part of the Indonesian Heritage Society tours, I took a tour of a local mosque, attended a traditional Muslim pregnancy ceremony, and through a friend of Darren's, was able to attend an Indonesian wedding.  All were a wonderful experience in learning about a different culture and customs.
A VISIT TO A MOSQUE:
(Apologies for the terrible camera phone pics)

A neighborhood mosque where we took a tour

All these women were on the Indonesian Heritage tour and went on the tour of the Mosque.  Of course we had to wear the traditional head-covering.

A WEDDING:

Darren was invited to a friend's traditional Indonesian wedding.  Outside were flowered boards wishing the wedding couple congratulations.  these are very common to see around Jakarta not only for weddings, but for celebrations of any kind - birthdays, anniversaries, or a new business opening.



For the 600 expected guests, there were many sign-in desks to sign the wedding registry.

Before the receiving line, there was a lavish dance that took place to entertain the new bride and groom.

This is just one picture but there were dozens and dozens of food tables with food galore!

The lovely bride and groom!  

A Beautiful Bride!!

The receiving line . . .

SEVENTH MONTH PREGNANCY EVENT:

Another fascinating event I attended with the Indonesia Heritage Society was a "Seventh Month Pregnancy Event"  This event is a traditional ceremony done in Indonesia to celebrate a pregnant woman's 7th month of pregnancy.  Below are excerpts below from our brochure to explain the ceremony.

One of Java's traditional rites which still exist is mitoni, for the safe passage of a woman's first seventh-month pregnancy.  The Javanese believe that a seven-month-old infant has got a soul, whose security should be celebrated. And the first child is said to bring good luck to the family and other siblings. Like other traditional ceremonies, mitoni is practiced in different fashions in different regionalities, as the saying goes 'so many places, so many customs'.

The outdoor ceremony symbolizes the common people's humble attitude and their expression of gratitude to God. They belong to the lower class and live in simplicity, while only those of the royal family or nobility deserve indoor or court rituals.

Following the kenduri, the pregnant mother is guided by village elders for a bathing ritual with water from seven wells -- her own and her neighbors'. It's a symbol that the baby, upon its birth, is blessed by the whole family as well as all neighbors.

Among the uba rampe (offerings) served on the occasion are traditional snacks, red and white taffy (reflecting physical strength), and two yellow-hulled coconuts bearing the pictures of wayang (shadow puppet) figures, the famous pair Arjuna and Sumbadra.  This pair symbolizes the parents' hope for the appearance and traits of their coming baby: if it's a boy, he should be handsome and chivalrous like Arjuna and if a girl, she should be beautiful and faithful like Sumbadra.

Dressing up the mother- to- be 

In  another room , after the mother- to- be is  dried, another ritual is waiting . At this ritual, several elder women will help the mother- to- be to dress her up in  seven different “kain batik” (a long batik piece to be made as a long skirt) and seven different  “kebaya” (special Indonesian blouse designed as top of the batikskirt). There are actualy six batik and one lurik (striped) patterns used for this occassion. All patterns have its good wishes for family and the baby. 

“Brojolan”

Two young yellow ‘gading’ coconuts pushed down  thru the lurik cloth. Both coconut fall down to the pile of unworn batiks , it is also depicting safe birth. The coconuts (of gading family-small and yellow in color means ivory) are carved  with drawing of God Kamajaya ( the handsome and faithful God) and Goddes Ratih-the beautiful and faithful goddess. The married couple should also have a faithful relation forever.  The baby shall be born safely and if a boy will be as handsome as Kamajaya or if a girl , be as beautiful as Ratih.  The father- to- be will take one of the coconuts and cut it in two. If the coconut cuts  into two , the crowd will say “A girl”. If the coconut remain round and only the water comes out , the crowd will say “ boy.”

Whether  the baby be a girl or a boy, the parents will accept and raise  him/her with love and responsibility.  The other coconut not chosen by the father- to- be will be hugged and held by the grandma- to- be who will put it on the bed of the parents to be.

Selling of Rujak and Dawet

At the end of the Ritual, the couple is selling Rujak (mixed  slices fruits with hot sambal= made of red sugar and chilli) and Dawet (sweet refreshment drink , the juice is made from coconut milk mixed with small pieces of cookies made from flour and its color is green).

In spite of the wide variety, the seventh-month pregnancy ritual forms have the same essence, that is to seek material and spiritual salvation for the pair, the would-be child and the whole family.