Betawi Bride Accessories
Betawi, one of Indonesian culture, which is mostly live in Jakarta. They have interesting outfit regarding their marriage appearance. The integration of various cultural elements appear in a wedding dress of Betawi woman who impressed so festive.
Beside the dress and make up, Betawi bride has something particular on their wedding dress, which are the accessories. The using of headdress is quite complex. One of them is siangko veiled that symbolizes a girl’s chastity.
Siangko veiled always in golden color, because originally it made of gold, or silver material. Usually decorated with precious stones, even diamonds. The veil is 30 cm long, made of beads. Apart from the veiled, other siangko has 3 pieces. Used as a cover behind the siangko veiled.
Siangko veiled that serves to cover the bride’s face is a symbol of holiness, symbolized by the bride’s face should not be seen by someone else. On top of this Siangko veiled, there is Sigar or crown with motifs of flowers filled with jewels. Other hair ornaments are flower nail or nail puncture about 10 or more which is intended as a repellent reinforcements.
There are also 5 plugs flowers or kembang tancep, that symbolizes pillars of Islam, the obligation to be performed by the bride as a Muslim. Moreover, there are 20 pieces of kembang goyang or flutter flower ornament that put together with 2-4 pieces of coconut flower that is placed on the left and right bun.. They are 20 because it symbolizes the recognition of the greatness of God’s 20 properties, which shall be revealed and taught to children later descendants; the coconut flower is a symbol of hope for marriages that do remain strong, strong like a coconut tree, so it will be a lasting, prosperous and happy marriage.
Phoenix decoration or known as a big flower is also should not be missed. The number four symbolizes the four Rasullullah’s companions, Prophet Muhammad SAW. Meanwhile, the phoenix itself regarded as a symbol of paradise bird that symbolizes happiness of the bride and groom. The location of the phoenix also has its own meaning, relating to the match between the family of the bride and groom.
Beside the bride’s headdress, there is one form of jewelry that is believed have magical powers is a sunting or sumping ear. If the sunting is worn by a bride who is not a virgin or not a girl anymore, then the user will be headache, feel dizziness and even fainting.
Beside sumping as a complement to support harmony, there is also a pair of ear bride kerabu. Kerabu is a combination between earrings and studs which are rolled together, and pierce or tusuk konde.
In addition to jewelry to the head, the bride also wore a dispersive necklace jewelry that used circular neck above the lotus Betawi. Listring bangles and bracelets, and gold rings jewelry to garnish arm, wrist and finger of the bride.
Originally, all of the jewelry that worn by the Betawi bride made of gold and decorated with diamonds. Today, however, generally those are only gold gilding, while the more decorative uses beads.
But they are still beautiful indeed.