Sang Kheh Umm tutoring the couple walking sideway!If there is someone that you need to credit for the magnificent traditional Peranakan wedding, the person would be none other than the Sang Kheh Umm or Mak Andam (Chief Mistress). The Chief Master will be known as Pak Chindek. While the bride and bridegroom acts as the main actress and actors that enticing and captivating the audience, the Sang Kheh Umm is the director that responsible in guiding and leading every gesture and movement of the couple.
Mak Andam in action during the Chim-pong ceremony. Role & Responsibility Mak Andam role, aside from tutoring the bride and bridegroom the correct and proper way to pose, walk and act during the whole marriage ceremony is to observe that the obligatory rites and rituals of Peranakan marriage have been done correctly. Normally, Mak Andam will pay more attention in tutoring the bride as she needs to be as graceful as a princess. While the couple wearing the wedding attire or matrimonial gown known as Kuah, they need to walk sideway in synchronise with music called “Seronee” either supplied by a Chinese clarinet or from a recorded CD. During the whole Chin-pang ceremony, the bride must conceal her hands inside the wide Kuah robe (She needs to hold her hands together while bending her elbow all the time). This is definitely very tiring gesture of folding her arms! As for the bridegroom, his task is much easier; just fan his hand-fan and act like a lord during the olden day.
Pak Chindek in action during the tea ceremony. Aside from the above obvious tutoring role; Mak Andam significant role could be clearly observed during the Cheo-thau ceremony, Chin-pang ceremony and tea ceremony.Nowadays, it will be very difficult to find for a good Mak Andam (Chief Mistress) as the person that has the necessary experience in the obligatory rites and rituals of Peranakan marriage is dismissing. This job is not an easy task as it could be a back-breaking due to the demanding rites and rituals of the Peranakan marriage itself. Return to Baba Nyonya Wedding.
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