Weddings are supposed to be a day of joy for the couple, their friends, and friends, right?
After the hustle and bustle of that day, the couple is expected to have a relaxing time in each other’s arms right?
Well, in Indonesia, especially the Tidong tribe, that is rarely the case for the newlywed.
This community have a somewhat weird marriage tradition that they surprisingly follow till date.
At first, as a guest, you’ll find the custom of the groom not allowed to see his bride’s face until he sings her several love songs adorable.
The curtain separating the couple is raised only after the groom completes the singing task, they can see each other on a dais.
The wedding custom doesn’t end as sweet as it started. It is said that the bride isn’t allowed to leave the confines of her home during the engagement period, and a groom who arrives late to the wedding needs to pay a fine (usually jewelry).
The weirdest of the Tidong custom is that the bride and the groom aren’t allowed to use the bathroom for three days after the wedding. Yes, they can go to the bathroom for any reason at all, whether to poo or wee, all that has to be on hold for three good days!
How is that even possible? For people who can’t even do without using the restroom within an hour, this ritual must really be torturous.
The funny part is that the custom is very normal and natural for the Tidong people who now inhabit the city of Sandakan, in Sabah, Malaysia.
They believe that not practicing the three-day and night ritual would bring terrible luck to the couple – a broken marriage, infidelity, or death of their children at a young age.
So the couple is watched over by several people and allowed only minimal amounts of food and drink.
After the three days are up, they are bathed and then permitted to return to normal life. Just wow!
