A Cambodian Muslim Wedding

Recently I attended a Cambodian Muslim (Cham) friends wedding in a village called Roka Keno on scenic Mekong River bank. For those friends who have been to Preksandai Village in Kratie Province should know the 4 to 5 hours adventure from Phnom Penh through the rustic villages, paddy fields and hustle and bustle at pit stops in Kampong Cham and in between. If you are feeling a bit adventurous and fancy local "exotic" food, you can sample deep fry crickets or skewed spiders.The 'kenduri' reception held separately in very early morning on both sides of bride and groom. Five to six guests seated in circle before we were served with sumptuous beef curry, fresh pickles, stir fry vegies, mix soup and local cookies. And you have the options of bottled water or Chinese (or rather Khmer) tea. By 10 am the family members and friends were packed into three rented vans. Some opted for motorbike rides, including yours truly. One hour plus pillion ride on dirt roads was not vertebrae friendly. Not to mention sore butt. By the time I arrived at the bride’s house, where the “akad nikah” ceremony would take place, my hair was wire-hard. My shirt, pant, ears,nose and mouth were like KL house water filters. Luckily I wore yellow shirt which blended nicely with new layer of yellowish orange dust.The bride wore creamy white “baju kurung” with matching head scarf and sported gliterring tiara. The groom wore a black jacket on top of silver “baju melayu”. He also sported a black ‘songkok’ with golden lining lace. The ritual started with short sermon and citation of hadith by the Imam brought along from groom’s community. Then the father of the bride offered and the groom accepted by simple “I do” to take the bride to be his lawful wedded wife, minus the nerve wrecking handshake and the usual mouthful “lafaz” in Malay weddings. Then the Imam recited doa and ended with congratulatory handshakes by all attendees. This was simplicity at it best.Before we could disperse from the crowded house, which extensively decorated with floral motive, again we were served with local cookies, local pancake and yellow glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk and a sweet coconut pulp cooked in brown sugar as topping and another round of Chinese tea. I thought it was a taboo to snap photos with the bride unless you are related. But we had a field day, taking turn posing with the newly wed couple.