A Wedding Celebration right here in Kampung Dukuh!

A Neighbor that lives behind us walked the streets of Dukuh yesterday afternoon and invited us personally to come to his families wedding!  How nice....Yes! we will surely come!  Terima Kasih!

So this morning at 9:30 am the celebration began...we heard music, and announcements behind us - so Nick & I walked down the little pathway to the house with a BIG tent set up and people were already lined up to come to the celebration!

We shook hands with the family - who were there standing in line to welcome the community of neighbors that were arriving!  So polite & courteous!   We were handed a little box (a little cup of  gelatin, peanuts, & a goreng (fried) snack) and a bottle of tea. When we arrived the bride was already sitting on the stage up front...two little bridesmaid's were fanning her to keep her comfortable!  She was dressed in the traditional Indonesian wedding custom and looked very pretty up there! Gosh it must of been hard just sitting there alone as people came into the tent area.   Her parents joined her on the stage after greeting people in the line.

The ceremony began and in came the Bridegroom with his parents behind him...and 4 bridesmaid's..and then a man came to the microphone to begin the wedding ceremony....The Bride came down off of the stage to face her Groom.    The speaker welcomed them...prayers were made...and then she the Bride knelt before her Bridegroom and there was another blessing made upon them both!  Her parents stood behind her....and his parents behind him.  We think "union" was made at that time.  
A Red cloth was brought to them...and together they were wrapped by this cloth...and then they were guided up the steps to the stage at this time!   It was so sweet to see this...the person who had wrapped them and led them up on the stage - prayed again for them. They both looked so serious - taking in these very special moments!!!  The parents again joined them on the stage.....and pictures were made!

Another person came up to the microphone and the couple was  spoken to...people smiled and laughed - this speaker might of brought up some cute remarks about them...because we heard "Mas" brother (young man) spoken and then "Istri" which is wife....and they both smiled shyly as things were said to them!  People laughed and smiled!   

Then the Wedding family were lead out. 

All at once big trays were brought in by the younger people with plates of food on them and passed out to all the guests!  Wow...that is a whole lot of preparation of food to be prepared for everyone! 

It was now around 11:15 am - (a little insert of info).......

..... people get up with the crack of dawn here...so they all eat breakfast around 6:00 am!  ...let me explain something to you -   yes here on our little street a neighbor fixes a bit pot of rice...and we think some kind of soup (sop) and then the neighbors go to her in the morning.  She stands out in her front yard with a little table ...with these pans and she serves them a little bowl...white rice & some soup over it...standing...and talking together...baby on the hip wrapped in their Mother's cloth wrap...they might feed the baby too by hand as they each eat...and chat with one another...about this and that....the goings-on of the morning & what might of taken place the day before.  
This seems to be a ritual that the neighbors have with one another.  Nick & I think that this helps the one neighbor too with a little income at home.  The other neighbor has a little toko (little shop) that sells some basic needs - gas for the motorbike, coffee packets, some fried snacks, fresh eggs from their chicken's and banana's from their tree - another neighbor does the repair for the motorbike tires, another neighbor might do cement work..or wood work...so everyone helps one another to make it a community of helps!  Sweet huh?  
And like this big tent that was erected for the wedding and the food that has to be prepared....all the men come together to help the family set up, the chairs are provided for from the community storage shed...the women come together at the family's house to prepare all the food for the wedding - so much is done together here in the kampung!  Anyway......


After lunch was passed out and everyone was eating - then enter the wedding family again - this time the couple had on a purple outfit and the bridesmaids too had on purple...they went up on the stage again. 

The lady in the white was continually instructing them how & when to sit, telling them to get up -  helping in all the traditions ~

More words were spoken to them - and music began to be played. 

I left a little early to be able to skype with Jas, Milou and Skyler for her Birthday ~ Nick followed when there was a break in the speaking, and people began to leave.   - It was a blessing to experience a wedding here in Indonesia!

 There is our neighbor Julie and her son Franklin!  Hi you guys....pretty neat huh?

 This little girl had a very pretty dress on and very special shoes too - all for the celebration - but she was very shy and raced to her grandmother's lap!  We do look a bit out of place ~

 This little guy looked and looked at me...wondering what is that on this woman's head?  Our light color - really makes the kids stare....and our length too of course!

 I bet we look like giants to the kids!

This little guy "Rafi" was sitting in front of us and he was enjoying eating lots of snacks!  His mother wanted him to smile for the picture...but he kept eating and looking very serious!

Then a glimmer came through....ah....!




Momma was happy!  

 I gave this little girl a BIG smile and she warmly gave me one back!  So' adorable & cute!!!

Well a very nice morning it was...and the celebration will continue on for about 3 days.  People come to congratulate them and there is music to late in the evening.  

Nick & I just appreciate how the community celebrates things together...maybe living in such close quarters brings that but we think it is more than that - there is a real sense of community here in Indonesia which is sweet & caring ~ and we have had the experience of seeing it and enjoying it and it has been a life lesson too!  

We can all learn from this! 

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