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some cases half the sum is at once repaid to the bridegroom, but this is merely formal, as the bride receives this half again in the form of a present when she pays her first visit to her parents in law after the wedding[1].
In addition to the bridal couch and the dowry, the attendants of the bridegroom bring with them two sets of "standing sirih" (ranub dòng) of the same kind as those already described[2]. In some districts (as for instance the Mukims Buëng) this is replaced by a sweetmeat in the form of network, called halua pulōt. Both of these are intended for distribution among the onlookers.
Two leubès[3] from the bride's gampōng, chosen by the teungku, serve as witnesses. They begin by carefully verifying the amount of the dowry on the baté or platter.
The bridegroom now takes his place opposite the teungku, behind whom sit the two witnesses and the crowd of onlookers. After they have duly rinsed their mouths, the teungku pronounces in Arabic his khutbah (Ach. kōteubah). This, though not actually prescribed as indispensable, is strongly recommended by the Law to the wali or his substitute[4]. As a rule he greatly abbreviates this task, using only the words: "In the name of Allah! unto Allah be the praise, and blessing and peace upon the Messenger of Allah. I exhort ye, oh servants of Allah, and myself to the fear of Allah![5].
The teungku now clasps the right hand of the bridegroom in his own and says "When I shake (your hand) you must immediately make answer[6]! Thereupon he makes the "offer" in some such words as these[7]: "I unite you in marriage with N., daughter (or sister etc.) of
- ↑ P. 300. It is also called "marriage sirih" (ranub nikah).
- ↑ Jaʾ gampōng linto; see below.
- ↑ Persons who understand and observe to some extent the precepts of religion. These are called santris in Java. It is noticeable that witnesses are selected in Acheh in the same way as in Java and other parts of the Archipelago. (See p. 337 above).
- ↑ See p. 71 above.
- ↑ Learned teungkus (who are indeed few and far between) know by heart a longer kōteubah, which treats of marriage as an institution ordained of heaven.
- ↑ ʿòh ka lōn-yò taseuʾōt lé.
- ↑ The Achehnese is: lōn-peunikah gata ngòn Si N., aneuʾ (sèëdara) Si X., nyang ka jiwakilah ubaʾ ulōn (ngòn jinamèë … bungkay).—Lōn-trimòng nikah ji (ngòn jinamèë ji … bungkay). The portions in parentheses are often omitted.
of the pair. In most parts of the province of Preanger it is considered to be pamali, or forbidden by the adat for the woman to receive any portion of the dowry even in case of a divorce.
