Hafez has Arab + Indian bloodline, but very much a Malay. Dawn is Chinese. Hafez, being in the theatre industry, refuses to let it be “just another wedding”. It has to be the “wedding of the year”. It also signifies the “merge” of 2 cultures and traditions and in this day and age of 1 Malaysia… we have to think outside the box. So the story began with all the family members getting roped in the “Hot Buns Production” of “The Wedding of Dawn and Syed Zalihafe”.
Needless to say, we got a lot of flag from Mama and relatives, who could not fathom the idea of “Wedding Production” without the usual traditions and trappings of a typical Malay wedding. Fortunately, the brothers rallied together in full support of Hafez. I wonder, if Babah was still around, would the wedding take shape the way it did!
Hafez and Dawn masterminded the whole wedding plans… with relatives and friends only getting a glimpse of parts of the whole picture.
On the 12th May, (10 days before the wedding) Hafez and Dawn came to ask if it’s okay for them to do the “Chip San Leong” (retrieval of the Bride) at our place! Of course we are honoured, but man… that did not giving us much time!! Worse still.. I had to travel to Tawau that weekend, which means we don’t really have much time to get the house “dolled up” for such an important occasion!
While Zaher is busy fixing up the house, I took a crash course from Annie on the “Chip San Leong” ceremony! Thanks Annie for your advice and helping me with the “Double Happiness” cutouts! Suddenly, from being a “supporting” cast for the production, we found ourselves thrown into being the “Producer” for Scene 1.
Scene 1
The day started with me waking the kids up at 6.00am as the Director, Casts and Crew of Scene 1 will arrive at 7.00am. True to her name, Dawn and her friends arrived at the break of dawn… and so the show begins!!
8.30am : I cannot believe my eyes! Hafez, garbed in his Arabic Thawb & Bisht, completed with the keffiyah & agal, with around 10 of his friends dressed as suicide bombers made their way from Mama’s house to our house, which is about 200meters away.
Gosh, I hope that did not cause any panic in the neighbourhood!
Upon arriving, the the negotiation begins with the groom and his friends having to overcome a few obstacles before being allowed into the house!
Needless to say, we got a lot of flag from Mama and relatives, who could not fathom the idea of “Wedding Production” without the usual traditions and trappings of a typical Malay wedding. Fortunately, the brothers rallied together in full support of Hafez. I wonder, if Babah was still around, would the wedding take shape the way it did!
Hafez and Dawn masterminded the whole wedding plans… with relatives and friends only getting a glimpse of parts of the whole picture.
On the 12th May, (10 days before the wedding) Hafez and Dawn came to ask if it’s okay for them to do the “Chip San Leong” (retrieval of the Bride) at our place! Of course we are honoured, but man… that did not giving us much time!! Worse still.. I had to travel to Tawau that weekend, which means we don’t really have much time to get the house “dolled up” for such an important occasion!
While Zaher is busy fixing up the house, I took a crash course from Annie on the “Chip San Leong” ceremony! Thanks Annie for your advice and helping me with the “Double Happiness” cutouts! Suddenly, from being a “supporting” cast for the production, we found ourselves thrown into being the “Producer” for Scene 1.
Scene 1
The day started with me waking the kids up at 6.00am as the Director, Casts and Crew of Scene 1 will arrive at 7.00am. True to her name, Dawn and her friends arrived at the break of dawn… and so the show begins!!
8.30am : I cannot believe my eyes! Hafez, garbed in his Arabic Thawb & Bisht, completed with the keffiyah & agal, with around 10 of his friends dressed as suicide bombers made their way from Mama’s house to our house, which is about 200meters away.Gosh, I hope that did not cause any panic in the neighbourhood!
Upon arriving, the the negotiation begins with the groom and his friends having to overcome a few obstacles before being allowed into the house!
First obstacle was to retrieve mahjong pieces from a bucket of ice-water with their feet! Of course, Hafez got his friends to do it! Poor boys! By the end of it, a few of the "suicide bombers" were limping with numb feet!
Next, the groom's entourage were made to dance to the song “Nobody” by Wondergirls! Hafez was in his element that day and lead his entourage in this dance. Needless to say, most of us couldn't stop laughing at his antics!
After the hilarious performance, Hafez was given a ladle which was tied to his waist and Wee Lee had a pot tied to his waist. Both ladle and pot is strategically located around the crotch area. Hafez has to bang the ladle on the pot! Go figure!
Before they were let into the house, the groom had to sign the marriage contract, which had several funny terms and conditions to it as well as paying the "toll" to the bride's "sisters".
Finally, the groom and his entourage made it inside the house and proceeded to the bedroom. However, there's still one final obstacle that Hafez have to do - serenade to Dawn before she opens the bedroom door to him!
Finally, the groom and his entourage made it inside the house and proceeded to the bedroom. However, there's still one final obstacle that Hafez have to do - serenade to Dawn before she opens the bedroom door to him!
Well, I guess, after that sterling performance, its difficult not to let him in! Through cold feet and boogie woogie, pot banging and negotiations, he could finally get to the girl of his dream!
Before proceeding to the mosque for the akad nikah, the couple performed the "tea ceremony" to Dawn's parents and aunts. Later, all the nieces and nephews also get a turn to serve tea to the couple!
The morning ended with a heavy rain as everyone were leaving for the mosque. I'd like to see it as "blessing" (rahmat) to the couple for embarking on a new episode of their lives.
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