Page 61 - The Guide To Sarawak

THE GUIDE TO SARAWAK
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A traditional Malay wedding. Strong Javanese influences can be seen in the jewellery and accessories of both bride and groom.
sought royal recognition. In Sarawak, the most notable were the negeris of Sarawak (i,e, the current Kuching Division), Samarahan, Saribas and Kalaka.
The complexity of regional politics ensured the Malays developed statecraft to a fine art, which may well have influenced the stratification of Malay society into
social ranks and classes, viz. Abang-Dayang (an aristocratic title), Pengiran- Dayangku (a higher status), Nakhoda (an aristocratic merchant-warrior) and Orang Pereman (a sheriff, an upholder of order). The negeris had a distinctive administrative system
with its officers enjoying courtly salutations such
as - Datu Patinggi (chief of negeri), Datu Syahbandar (port and customs officer),
Datu Temenggong (civil administrator), Datu Imam (legal administrator), Datu Laksamana (admiral or naval chief), Sri Lela (lord of the guns or general) and Orang Kaya (wealthy lord). To some extent such
salutations survive till today. Malay dress - both formal and informal – is embodied
by the vibrant colours of the baju kurung (long shirt or traditional dress). The baju kurung for both man and woman are often
Malay ladies playing the hadrah or traditional drums and chanting the salawat blessings to accompany a wedding celebration.