Javanese rituals at Indonesian first daughter's wedding

An elaborate Javanese wedding tradition was held after newlyweds Kahiyang Ayu and Bobby Afif Nasution tied the knot on Wednesday morning.

To the sound of gendhing Kodhok Ngorek Laras moyo ladrang, gamelan melodies played at weddings, the bride and groom followed several rituals at President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's family-owned function hall, Graha Saba Buana, in Surakarta, Central Java.

They began with Panggih, where the bride and the groom meet for the first time after being declared husband and wife.

"This symbolizes the meeting of the couple after looking for each other. It was inspired by the meeting between Adam and Eve," the procession guide Umijatsih said at the event.

Afterwards, Jokowi, as the father of the bride, tied a red and white fabric to the bride's shoulder and guided the couple back to their seats.

Kahiyang and Bobby drank coconut water and then fed each other, a tradition known locally as Dulangan.

"There will be problems in the household, however small. Husband and wife must support each other to solve it. That is the meaning of Dulangan," Umijatsih said.

Bandung mayor Ridwan Kamil, who attended the wedding with his wife Ataliya Praratya, expressed his admiration for the elaborate wedding ceremony.

He said he had always admired traditional wedding ceremonies, adding that it had positive philosophical values. 

"I think we need to introduce and promote traditional cultures to the young generation," Ridwan said. (rin)

Copyright: The Jakarta Post/ Asia News network