Well, this is the traditional Javanese wedding – siraman -, so surely Boyke’s and Ike’s face ain’t pictured together. One day before wedding, they had pengajian n siraman in each Ike’s house. It was covered in white during this siraman. Old green jas beskap n iket blangkon made Ike’s dad looked like a ningrat (Javanese noble). In light green brokat, Ike’s mom is as beautiful as Ike. They’re such warm and friendly Javanese family! They seemed rather shy, but yet I don’t feel uneasy at all with the camera. ‘Watch on your steps, sir,’ I murmured. But he doesn’t show any doubt at all when he’s stepping on the stairs! The mom’s holding the stairs with “blaketepe” (coconut’s leave braid) for the Dad to put on the roof. Yeah, it’s funny to take the dad’s picture who’s so “njawani” (so Javanese) posing to put on the braid. (For your information, it’s called “Pasang Blaketepe”. They said it’s a symbol for togetherness of Ike’s parents taking care of their family. Ike’s sister brought a tray of rice. This rice will be put on Ike’s gate by her parents; n it’s called tuwuhan. It means a hope for them to have kids to pass on their family lifelines.
‘Wow, the plantains look ripe!’ I said. Ike’s mom said it’s ripe as a hope that the couples are mature-minded, and plantains coz it’s a hope that couples will get prosperity, glory, n honor like kings! “Pyuuur….”…. It feels cold, but Ike smiled happily when her parents spray the flower water from 7 different springs to her head, coz she knows that it’s to purify her n cast off her weaknesses, so she’ll start her new life in clean pure heart. Fyuuuhhh…. After siraman, we had “potong rikmo” (cutting hair). “No worries, Ke…” You’re still so beautiful though they cut your hair a bit. Couple’s hair is then united in Tanem Rikmo ceremony. For me, this procession amazes me much coz Javanese culture has millions of beauty and glory in store, proven by unique n meaningful wedding ceremonies. This cultural approach has made me enjoy wonderful things to capture.
Thanks to you folks, for trusting us to photo this happy day full of stories and inspiration….
