earthenware bowl (pĕnchedok ayer or batil) which is used for scooping up water
from the water-jar, and which, when it is in use, is temporarily replaced by an
ornamental cap woven from strips of screw-palm leaves. A couple of
candlesticks placed near the water-jar, a betel tray (tepah or puan), a basin (batil
bĕsar) for washing off the lees of henna, and a “cuspadore” (kĕtor), all of which
are placed inside the curtain, complete the preparations for this portion of the
ceremony.
The day concludes, as far as the workers are concerned, with a meal in which all
who have assisted in the preparations take part, and this is followed by various
diversions dear to Malays, such as the chanting of passages from the Korān.^80
At a royal wedding, either the “Story of ’Che Mĕgat” (’Che Mĕgat Mantri), or a
royal cock-fight (main dĕnok), or a performance by dancing girls or fencers
(pĕdikir), may be substituted for these more devotional exercises.
These performances (whatever they may be) are kept up (with intervals for rest
and refreshment) till four or five in the morning, when the guests disperse to
their respective homes to sleep off the night’s fatigue.
Whilst the games are progressing (at about nine or ten P.M.) the first staining of
the finger-nails of the bride and bridegroom is commenced, the ceremony on this
occasion being conducted in the seclusion of the inner apartments, and hence
called the “Stolen Henna-staining” (bĕrhinei churi). Leaves of henna are taken
and pounded together with a small piece of charcoal, and the “mash” is applied
to the finger-nails of both hands (with the exception of the middle or “Devil’s
finger,” jari hantu). The centre of each palm is also touched with the dye, the
area stained being as much as would be covered by a dollar. A line (of a finger’s
breadth) is also said to be drawn along the inner side of the sole of each foot,
from the great toe to the heel (hinei kaus).