Malaysian Cultural Display

2nd June 2014
Rumah Malaysia

"Manis sungguh gula Melaka

Jangan dibancuh dibuat serbat

Sungguh teguh adat pusaka

Biar mati anak jangan mati adat"

Adat Resam or Customary Code of Conduct is the cultural practice of Malaysians. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual society that consist of three major races; the Malays, Chinese and Indians. The people live harmony, be it in social life, in businesses and day-to-day life. Even marriages across races are not uncommon nowadays.

Today, we Malaysian in the Sultanate Muscat of Oman with the initiative of Ybhg. Prof. Madya Datin Dr Musrifah Sapardi has organized a cultural display to be presented before the Ambassadors Wives Group in Oman. The traditional Malay wedding was chosen for the show.

Rumah Malaysia was colorfully decorated to give the full aura of ‘kenduri kendara’ or wedding ceremony, with “bunga manggar and “bunga telur”.  The bride and groom (not the real one yeah..) have been displayed fully dressed with our traditional wedding songket costumes.

Adding to this, two sections of showcases were displayed – the “hantaran” and the traditional items like games, accessories and jewelleries. “Hantaran” is actually a gift presented by both the bride and groom representatives that will be exchanged during the ceremony. The “hantaran” could be anything from clothes, sweets and fruits, but a “sirih junjung” and jewellery are a must. The number of gifts depends on the agreement from both parties during the “merisik” or engagement.

The hantarans which were creatively decorated by the Perwakilan members really got the attention from the guests. They were amazed of our expertise in turning a piece of towel into a bouquet of flower!

A ‘kenduri’ is not complete without the food. We ended the ceremony with a heavy brunch of traditional foods like nasi lemak, satay, pulut kuning, rendang, soto and kuih-muih prepared by the members. Brunch was superb though it was served without nasi minyak, a must food in any "kenduri kahwin"!

Malaysians are of generous lots, guests will never leave our home empty handed. Out guest left with a “bunga telur”, a traditional take away goodies in “kenduri kahwin”.

We Malaysians are very proud. Despite having different cultures and believes, we live united in peace with full respect and tolerance among us. We celebrate each other ceremony whilst maintaining our own traditions “adat resam”.