Traditional Khmer Wedding (Part II), presentation of dowry

After the procession led by the groom and his family and friends reaches the bride’s house and the platters of gifts (dowry) carried by relatives and friends are placed in order in the room in front of the wedding backdrop. Then they are pleased to sit at the tables to have their breakfast before leaving, they may leave the ceremony depending on their necessity.

Still at the colorful decorated entrance, the bride and the groom exchange bouquets of flowers for their welcome and with their followers take photographs. After a while, they are ordered to move in and place the betel flowers in front of the wedding backdrop at which usually and typically describe on top “Wedding Ceremony, the Names of the Bride and the Groom in Khmer and English and the date of marriage. The wedding backdrop is made of different styles according to the demands by the parents or organizers.

Now it is time for another program, that is the presentation of dowry. All families and relatives and friends sit around the platters of fruits, cakes, refreshment, desserts. The matchmakers asks the bride’s parent if the dowry is satisfactory. When the bride’s parents are happy with them, then the music starts playing a tune Chambak Roy. there we can see 2 male and female singers/performers coming in between the 2 sides of platters and while singing collect fruits from each platter to their satisfaction until the end of the song. Both of them come to give collected fruits to the bride’s parents. The matchmaker asks them to eat and then both parents, relatives, and friends of the bride and groom share eating together, symbolizing everything is satisfied.