Javanese bride

They say creativity is boundless. There are seldom any limitations, barriers and world borders for art practices. Each culture, creed and tribe observes beliefs and faiths in their own flamboyant yet creative way - thus bringing diversity with beautiful colors alive. Especially in the world of make up, innovation stands out vividly. And with Javanese people further adding to the creative art form of make-up and grooming, world only becomes a vibrant and exciting place to live in!

Java and it’s traditional folklore

Scattering herself across the equator, Java is on one of the most active volcanic prone islands of Indonesia. Despite this, the Javanese islanders offer splendid taste of traditional folklore. Conventional Javanese families consider wedding as an important auspicious occasion and celebrate the ceremony with sheer extravaganza. Whereas, the Javanese bride is usually dressed in traditional colorful costume measured as a sacred societal tradition.

Javanese wedding

Moreover, wedding being one of the most important day of the girl’s life - all brides-to-be yearn to look their most beautiful. But that fabled glow doesn’t just miraculously arrive in time on that particular day. Meticulous planning and preparation is ensured beforehand to get her to the most radiant self. Usually, the result is so good that when the bride takes that walk down the aisle, the guests rise from their seats in appreciation to feast their eyes upon the bride’s beauty. One of the factors for this splendor is Maesi Manten, i.e., the classical face painting and wedding face painting, which is also known as Paes Pinanganten.

Paes Pinanganten, wedding face painting

In accordance with this Javanese ritual, wedding face painting is regarded to be an integral part of the marriage ceremony. The preparation for face painting usually goes up to great length and the actual process can take about an hour or more. This culture is an inheritance of the Javanese people that dates back to hundreds of years.

The bride at the nikah (marriage) wears the conventional dress that is usually red, black or blue in color, with blouse trimmed and ornamented with flowers. Extensive gold or silver jewelery adores the bride on that day. To enhance this look further, the bride wears bright red colored lipstick, following the convention. Whereas the Paes Pinanganten is painted as small dots of gold and other decoration across the top edge of the forehead; and the deep black bindi is painted at center of the forehead, close to the eyebrows, occasionally.

Javanese marriage ritual

Once the bride is ready, the Javanese marriage is then followed by many interesting ritual compositions and practices - one of which is Tetesan. This word comes from Javanese language “tete” which means to hatch. In this ritual, a Javanese wedding ceremonial expert paste the egg on bride’s forehead, and then the groom crushes the egg under his foot, followed by the bride cleaning up the groom’s leg. This is symbolic of their duty and responsibility against each other to pass their lives happily.

However, with the Muslim culture foraying on these islands, the Paes Pinanganten and custom has been changed with wedding jilbab by some Muslim population. Nevertheless, most of the Javanese people are discreetly preserving the culture and civilizing it with time as well.

Picture of a Javanese Bride

Javanese bride, the pic made by Alex, during traditional Javan wedding/marriage party, where he got invited.

The day before he left to Jakarta to do his Geisha photoshoot, while still in Jepara, Alex was invited to a local village to attend this traditional Javanese wedding. Not particularly for make up, the way he enthusiastic for Indian bride photoshoot, whatsoever… but just to have some fun and enjoy the wedding ceremony, food and the people. That’s where he took this picture (with his small traveler camera) of traditional Javanese bride…

Nothing like scandinavian women, let alone the race queen! ;-)

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