The arrival of the groom is heralded by the hadrah troupe. This group, of mostly teenagers, will beat the kompang (hand drums) and sing Quranic verses and good wishes. The groom is often flanked by bunga manggar (palm blossoms) carriers and a busload of relatives and friends.
The mak andam (beautician) as well as members of the bride’s family will waylay the groom and ask for an ‘entrance fee’. Only when they are satisfied with the amount would they allow the groom to see his bride. After successfully overcoming the ‘obstacles’, the ceremony takes place. Relatives will sprinkle petals and rice (fertility symbols) on the couple seated on the ‘throne’.
Today, most of these customs are dispensed with. Indeed the practising adherents of Islam will shun these unislamic practices. These include the wanton display of the bride to members of the opposite sex who are not her family members, playing of loud music and intermingling of the different sexes during the meal.
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