Tradition of Siraman (Bathing) in Javanese Wedding
Siraman (bathing) is an important ceremony in Javanese marriage. It contains philosophy values.
Marriage ceremony in Javanese Adat is very complex. There are many things that must be done by bride and bridegroom. Notwithstanding, at present people begin leaving the series of ceremonies for practicality.
One of ceremonies in Javanese wedding is Siraman. Siraman is from word ‘siram’ (take a bath). Siraman is a ceremony of bathing the bride and bridegroom prior to the wedding. It’s performed a day before marriage. It symbolizes the bride and bridegroom would be purely clean themselves, physically and mentally, prior to wedding. It also symbolizes leaving all bad things behind.
Bride and bridegroom commit siraman in the 2 separated places, but at the same time. In the ceremony, bride and bridegroom are bathed by their parents, and then followed by the others that elder and last one is pemaes. Pemaes is a traditional makeup woman. She is also leader the ceremony.
To bath the bride or bride groom, someone must fulfill the requirements. They have ever married, and never divorce. They also must have good behavior and good moral. They are 7 people.
The bride and bridegroom must be bathed by flower water. It’s water mixed by flowers like Rose, Jasmine and Kananga. The water must be taken from 7 different sources.
Why must 7? Seven in Javanese is pitu. It means pitulungan (help). It’s a hope to get helping and blessing. Besides, 7 point to the sky that has 7 levels.
At the end of siraman ceremony, bride’s mother must slam a kendi. Kendi is a traditional water jar made from clay. Slamming kendi symbolizes that aura of bride and bridegroom have broken and they are ready to get married.
After siraman, the bride then commits ngerik and midodareni. Ngerik is ceremony of shaving smooth hair in forehead. Midodareni is from word ‘widodari’ (goddess, angel). In midodareni ceremony, bride with beautiful makeup forbidden to sleep until 12 pm. Because it’s time the beautiful angels come from heaven to visit and give their beauty to the bride for wedding.
(Images from Google)
Liked it
October 17th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Nice information..
October 17th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
it is a good addition in my knowledge , thanks
October 18th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Nice share..
October 18th, 2011 at 12:26 am
Interesting,the practice of cleaning before the marriage as a ceremony instead of just doing before…so caught up in the dressing before and the actual ceremony of marriage that it probably didnt dawn of some of us that our bride or groom might have been so nervous that they forgot to take a shower…
wow possibly awkward moment on the honey moon…
October 18th, 2011 at 1:14 am
interesting, i think similar rituals are performed in Hindu culture also.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:17 am
I love this article. I like the idea of the bride and groom being bathed. It is sort of like Baptism for Catholics being made pure with the baptism waters.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:20 am
A new knowledge added to my cookie jar about Javanese marriage. Our number seven is also called pitu. Thanks
October 18th, 2011 at 2:26 am
Thanks for telling us about this special wedding.
October 18th, 2011 at 2:39 am
@naruto100: thanks
@girishpuri: thanks for comment, girishpuri
@binyumanyun: thanks a lot
@JOSHNEFF: very nice comment, thank you
@zulfikar: no wonder, because Javanese culture is influenced by Hindu culture
@pattiann: thanks for loving this article, and thanks for your sharing too. very nice
@FX7777222999: surprising. seven in your language is also pitu
October 18th, 2011 at 2:44 am
Interesting
October 18th, 2011 at 3:03 am
Hari ini ya siramannya? Pastinya menarik minat banyak turis.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:15 am
It’s always a pleasure reading your posts about different cultures and traditions. Given the fact that I will probably never have the chance to visit these places, your guiding articles are a wonderful way to do it online. Thank you.
October 18th, 2011 at 3:31 am
@aheed411: thanks
@Eunice Tan: siramannya kemarin, pagi tadi akad nikah dan sore ini kirab…. traffic jam di mana-mana. macet
@iva75cpb: you always give wonderful comments. thanks, iva
October 18th, 2011 at 3:34 am
I like it!
October 18th, 2011 at 3:37 am
@ittechil: thanks a lot, ittechil
October 18th, 2011 at 3:42 am
interesting ceremony. thanks for letting us know of different cultures
October 18th, 2011 at 3:55 am
@lonelyplanet: thanks for commenting
October 18th, 2011 at 3:59 am
@Sunjhini: thanks for reading and commenting, Sunjhini
October 18th, 2011 at 4:52 am
I like it
October 18th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Beautiful!
October 18th, 2011 at 7:29 am
great article..thanks
October 18th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Aroosagloomy: thanks for like it
@Wrath Warbone: thank you very much
@foxpete88: matur nuwun
October 19th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Very interesting.
October 20th, 2011 at 8:06 am
Extremely interesting. You explain the customs and their significance well.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Awesome and unique
October 20th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Once more a rather interesting piece of news cheers
October 20th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
There are some similarities with Indian wedding tradition. Great post friend.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
wow lovely ceremony there
very elaborate 
October 20th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Interesting ceremony. Learn new things. Thanks!
October 20th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@Joe Ram: thanks
@marqjonz: thank you very much
@CHIPMUNK: thanks for reading
@yes me: thanks for interesting comment
@Saurav Banerjee: Hindu culture from India has influenced Javanese culture
@Meghana Subramanian: thanks for your nice comment, Meghana
@LCM Linda: thanks for reading, Linda
October 21st, 2011 at 1:35 am
Thanks for this educational share…write more
October 21st, 2011 at 2:56 am
@juni423: thanks for reading, juny
October 21st, 2011 at 5:23 am
Great share.
October 21st, 2011 at 11:35 pm
I can understand the ‘no divorce’ requirement for the assistants.
October 22nd, 2011 at 1:03 am
@Aroosagloomy: thanks
@SharifaMcFarlane: nice, Sharifa
October 23rd, 2011 at 2:30 am
nice to know this thanks again
October 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 am
@ittechil: thanks again too, ittechil
October 28th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
good share
October 29th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Interesting share it is. I did not know it before reading this article. A knew entry to my knowledge!
October 30th, 2011 at 9:13 am
I like how the angels come down to give the bride more beauty. Great article.
October 30th, 2011 at 9:17 am
I found this a nice tradition
October 30th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@Kristie Claar: thanks, Kristie
@Muzammil196: thanks for commenting
@holly the chef: I like your nice comment, my friend. thanks
November 10th, 2011 at 4:07 am
Interesting though really complex. There is also something similar in the breaking of the pot here in the culture of the igbo people of Nigeria. Here, once it is broken, it means you are married for life and you can never bring another person as your husband/wife except that person is dead.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Very interesting!
March 13th, 2012 at 8:48 am
I’m Javanese too, but never saw it with my very own eyes. Thank you for sharing it ^_^
April 1st, 2012 at 6:21 pm
im going to make it for my daugther wedding,thanks