Cultural Evolution

All things are dynamic in nature - nothing stays put. Things evolve. The very least it will be evolving to an end. From young to old and . . . . So are practices and traditions in culture. Take wedding receptions as an example. For a Malay wedding receptions it has somehow evolve from having it in the kampungs to halls and hotels.

Remember the old days where Malay wedding receptions are organised base on some form of 'berderau' and 'gotong royong'. 'Berderau' in this scenario means guests helping out the host with gift items that are needed for the receptions such as rice, sugar, coffee, milk and even goat or a cow. The giver somewhat expect the host to remember his gift (in term of type and quantity) and hope the host will return the favour, equally, when the time come for his sons or daughters receptions in years to come. The host normally record such 'berderau' items as he intends to help out too when the time comes (tit-for-tat). 'Gotong royong' is of course the helping hands given by guest (normally neighbours) to ensure the success of the reception (here too there is an element of tit-for- tat, ie nothing is free, even though it looks so).

On the reception day there are guest who still come bearing items needed for the receptions [joke: mithalnya gula dlm mangkuk tingkat setinggi Komtar, utk diisi kemudiannya dgn lauk dan nasi kenduri]and/or gift for the bride and groom. The host in return gave the guest 'bunga telor' as a thank you gesture. And to some, food items like the one serve in the reception, for close friend/relatives that are unable to attend because of illness, etc.

Later, this gift bearing guest in the 'berderau' evolve to giving of cash in packets, an amount of say, RM 1.00 to RM 5.00 per guest/family. And the host still give 'bunga telor, to the guest in return as a take home gift. Then, because of inflation or because the community is a bit well to do now, or for whatever reasons the packets grew to a new level of RM 10.00 - RM 50.00, and occasionally RM 100.00, and rarely to RM 300.00. The host in return give, not only the usual homemake handcrafted bunga telor, but bunga telor in ceramic holders, with titbit etc. And, because the host are also now well-off and since the amount gave by guest are attractive, the host gives, as an addition to 'bunga telor' in nice holders, and titbit, gives also paper begs with thank you wordings, and some have names or even photos of bride and groom on the begs.

These paper begs, to note, is not given to all Timah, Daud and Hamzah, but to guest with parcel wrapping gifts, and to relatives/close friends. But not to worry if you don't get the paper beg. From my experience, the contents are nothing more then 'bunga telor' titbits, the smallest of towel you ever saw, and one or too food item. Nothing to cry about. What I hope to see, and get if possible, one of these fine days, a paper beg that contain more valuable gifts. May be a pair of Rolex watches, complete with guarantee card and all.

What I need to do now is to attend wedding receptions with parcel wrapping gifts (the content is of my choice, but that parcel must be big and impressive) and hope to get the Rolexes soon. I will and continue to keep hoping for that fine day . . . .