The beautiful traditional wedding of the Murut Community

The traditional wedding of Cheryl Ellron, the daughter of Datuk Ellron Angin and Datin Maria held last year July 2016 at their hometown in Kg. Biah, Keningau saw a large crowd of invited guests coming from the village and other nearby areas, clad in their Murut traditional costumes making the event colourful and lively. Cheryl’s husband, a British, Shaun Boulter was astonished with the preparation of their wedding as it was carried out in a unique way.

The guests had the opportunity to witness how the ceremonial rites were conducted carefully by the elders who had earlier on made the preparation. One of the important parts of the Murut marriage was to build a look-a-like house called Sasangiang, where the ceremonial rites would be conducted.

According to Datuk Ellron, it took a month to build the Sasangiang where it was made of wood. Ornaments were hung everywhere on the ceiling and on the wall of the house depicting the wedding conducted in the early years. Each of the ornament has its meaning and to be used during the ceremony.

“I purposely do it in traditional mode so that the villagers as well as my family members especially the newly wedded couple could see and experience themselves how weddings were conducted long ago by the Murut tribes.

My new son in law, Shaun, who is a British, is very happy to go through this ceremony as it is one of a kind in the world and their wedding will be remembered as it is conducted in a traditional way,” disclosed Datuk Ellron who is the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and also ADUN for N37 Sook.

He added that he himself had a lot to learn about the origin of Murut wedding and had sought assistance from the elders in his hometown for better clarification and understanding.

“Because of this wedding, I am able to grasp more knowledge about its originality as I asked help from the elders in my village. I suppose everyone especially the younger generations will benefit from this in terms of experience and knowledge aside from the merry-making.

There are a few things I do not know, but today, I gain knowledge by asking the elders about our Murut tradition. It is very precious for me to have known all this important historical facts where our forefathers went through during their time.

It is crucial that the young ones and even the older adults should know about history of our ethnic, Murut. If we are not careful enough, traditions like this will fade in no time,” said Ellron advising the younger Murut generations to have interest in their culture.

Shaun’s mother, Christine Boulter who came all the way from England for the wedding confided that she was amazed with all the preparation.

“It is amazing to see everyone is cooperating in making this wedding lively and complete. I love your traditional costumes, they are full of details and lovely indeed,” praised Christine who also wore the costume. It was her first time visiting Sabah.