Malay engagement ceremony (Majlis Pertunangan)

My white hair shines through,  15 March, 2020, Kuching.

On the 15th of March, I became the spokesman ('jurucakap') and representative ('wakil') for my brother-in-law's family, Cikgu Noorsaparuddin regarding the engagement ceremony of his son.  I append below a couple of 'pantuns' I used at the beginning, middle and end of the 'majlis bertunang' or engangement ceremony.

Keris sebilah putera mahkota
Mari digilap terus sarungkan
Dengan bismillah pembuka kata
Salah silap harap maafkan.

Buah pauh atas permatang
Dimakan tupai seberang titi
Dari jauh kami datang
Hendak sampaikan hajat di hati.

Beli kismis sepuas hati
Dibawa orang pergi Kidurong
Hajat kami terlalu tinggi
Melebihi puncak Gunung Santubong.

Nampak bersinar bagaikan emas
Gadis cantik pakai kebaya
Sekali mendengar rasa tak puas
Hati berbisik itulah dia.

Gadis cantik pakai kebaya
Rambut kerinting manis senyuman
Hati berbisik itulah dia
Ingin dipetik bunga di taman.

Pergi ke huma tercucuk duri
Duri rumbia sebesar lidi
Biar lama cincin di jari
Janji setia cinta abadi.

Rama-rama di hujung peti
Terbang rendah hinggap di kain
Sama-sama menaruh hati
Jangan berpindah pada yang lain.

My brother-in-law and wife at the 'pelamin'  next to the girl to be engaged with their son, Azrullah.  My sister is seen placing the engagement ring on the 'would be bride', InsyAllah.

The engaged couple.

Art Research - A Sarawak Malay artist

Art Research - Othman Borhan.

Othman Borhan and his 1st prize winning batik painting during the Miri Art Competition., 1969.

Othman Borhan on a photo trip at Lemanak river,
circa early 80's
(Photo credit : Hamni Juni)

 There are not many Sarawak Malay artists who left a legacy in the Sarawak's fine art scene. I have come across one who was a successful artist in the 80's but did not continue to produce more works due to his early demise. I share here some research I did on Othman Borhan who was a contemporary of mine in the late 60's when we took art lessons in form six at Tanjong Lobang School under the illuminating guidance of our art teacher and himself an accomplished artist, Mr Voong Kiat Fui. Check out the story more by following this link....>>>http://beingmy2.blogspot.com/search/label/Othman%20Borhan

Watercolour painting by Othman Borhan.

( Note: This story is a re-post from my Facebook,  dated, 14 March, 2020.)