Iban fusion wedding catching on

0
Bridal procession down the ruai.

Bridal procession down the ruai.

EXCITEMENT was in the air as the crowd waited eagerly for the wedding party to begin.

The revvings of big bikes grew increasingly louder along Jalan Bakam, their headlights shining on the lane leading to the Gua Longhouse Chalet and then on the tanyu (open deck) as the riders approached.

The master of ceremony announced the bride and groom would arrive shortly. The crowd craned their necks in keen anticipation to catch a glimpse of the wedding procession.

The MC assured everyone would have a good view because the couple would walk from the Pun — the beginning of the longhouse — to the bridal platform at the other end of the longhouse.

The procession was about 200m long. The crowd, sitting in the ruai (living room), rose to their feet and cheered as the couple made their entrance.

The bride was dressed in a Pua Kumbu outfit with a red woven Iban scarf while the bridegroom looked debonair in his black and white James Bond suit. Indeed, a fusion Sarawak wedding.

There was no wedding march, no gongs or gendang — just a love song from the PA system.

It was the new kind of Iban fusion wedding held at the Gua Longhouse Chalet in Bakam, Miri. For those who had never been to a real Iban longhouse wedding, that was a good introduction.

According to John Linang, owner of this longhouse, doubling as homestay, the idea of an Iban-themed wedding is catching on. In June alone this year, four weddings were held there.

“This particular wedding was made possible by a group of young people who are friends of the groom Matthew Achau from Marudi. The wedding is a real fusion and the venue, an ideal setting for a made-for-movie wedding — or almost.

“These young people, many of whom big bikers, are very enthusiastic about helping their friend to have a memorable wedding. They have travelled a long distance from their homes to do this,” John said.

Tawi, a good friend of John’s, said the Gua Longhouse Chalet offered a lot of flexible potentials  that a hotel could not.

“The crowd for an Iban or Indigenous wedding is usually made up of relatives from all over Sarawak — young children, even babies asleep in the arms of their mothers, and elderly relatives in their 90’s. And for this wedding, the bride’s uncle came in his wheelchair — to the delight of all friends and relatives,” he added.

Santok, another friend, noted: “Many Iban weddings have been held at Gua Longhouse Chalet, and Mathew’s wedding is one of the best ever organised. Any styles can be used. What is important is the wedding should be a happy occasion for all relatives, loved ones, and friends.”

He said the merry-making could go on till morning, adding that  the owners were very flexible and understood the ways of the locals.

“The longhouse of Gua Chalet also has a traditional feel — with ample facilities for young families and their babies — just like home in their longhouse,” Santok enthused.

Dennis, a Lun Bawang, chimed in: “A very relaxed, yet enjoyable wedding ceremony with speeches and entertainment like in a hotel.”

According to an impressed Penghulu Robert Kunyut from Medamit, the Gua Longhouse Chalet ruai and tanju are smaller than those in a real longhouse but they give everyone a good feeling.

“When seated in the ruai, one can see all the relatives and friends, have good conversation and even make new friends,” he said.

The bikers.

The bikers.

Happy atmosphere

Baginda Minda, an old friend of Mathew’s, said he was happy to see everyone having a good time.

“The food is kept warm in the tanju and queue is orderly. In fact, the tanju is a good place to be — with the breeze blowing in from the sea.

“The trees make everyone feel like they are in a real ulu kampung. People can sit anywhere they like during the wedding ceremony,” he added.

The groom’s father, in his speech, touched on the adat  of marriage, impressing on the couple the importance of setting up a family, duty and responsibility.

While expressing happiness at the union, he reminded the bride and groom that marriage is a lifelong commitment.

The penghulu, representing the bride’s side, mentioned light-heartedly that everything important had already been said — much to his relief.

Then on a more serious note, he added: “I would like to say adat is adat and people must continue to value traditions which are the mainstay of social life.

“A wedding like this affirms the customs of the Ibans and we must all remember and be happy to keep our legacy strong. I am happy traditions continue to live on and young people still try their best to adapt without losing the essence of culture and values.”

A Catholic elder blessed the food and led a prayer for the marriage while advising those from other faiths to say their own prayers in their hearts.

The entertainment programme, drawn up by the happy gang of the groom, included poco poco and Iban songs.

A tepong tawar (blessing) was also held for friends and relatives to come up to the platform to shake hands with the bride and groom and present a token sum of money.

The collection is a blessing, according to one of the Lun Bawang relatives. He was also happy to see a Lun Bawang basket being used for the collection.

According to Mathew’s mother-in-law, Flora Sempurai, all the relatives chipped in to prepare the menu — the non-halal food by her (Flora) and her sons-in-law while the halal food by her Muslim relatives.

The menu was very traditional and appreciated by the guests. Food for more than 200 people was served way past midnight.

The wedding setting prepared by the management and friends.

The wedding setting prepared by the management and friends.

Dream come true

The Gua Longhouse Chalet is situated on some 35 acres of land bought by John over the past 30 years. He managed to save enough to realise this dream of his.

In 2007, his homestay was declared open by Tan Sri Alfred Jabu. From then on, he systematically created a niche for his business in Miri Resort City.

His friends and relatives gave him a lot of encouragement. Now retired, and assisted by his daughter, he has bigger plans for the future.

There are lots of possibilities for this homestay, favoured by locals — and even foreigners — who wish to enjoy tranquility and peace, a rainforest feel, all within a few minutes’ drive from Miri City.

Families check into the homestay for a weekend of fishing, walking in the orchard and free picking of fruits. He has lots of plans lined up for the weekends.

John might also include English-style tea, made famous by British planters of a bygone era, in a promotion campaign soon. Prawn noodles are also a future item.

His 10-table restaurant employs one chef and two assistant cooks and offers local delicacies. Orders are available from 8am to 10pm while bbq can also be organised.

“We are always ready to meet special requests,” John assured.

The homestay also caters for school camps.

John can be contacted at +6019873222 or Kriss +60168722337.