TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After the wedding celebration of President Jokowi`s first daughter Kahiyang Ayu with Bobby Nasution in Solo, Central Java, the celebration will continue with a ngunduh mantu (welcoming an in-law) tradition. The event is held in Medan, North Sumatra, the groom’s hometown, on November 24- 26. As other 'royal' weddings, there are several facts worth knowing about the ceremony. The followings are five unique facts about the tradition.
1. Invitations are printed in a local language
The invitations printed in Mandailing language, spoken in Medan, are for the traditional ceremony held on November 24 and 25. The invitations are also printed in traditional ulos (Batak traditional cloth) motive to feature local elements. The cover is made of cardboard paper coated with golden hot foil.
2. Some 2,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony
No less than 2,000 people are expected to attend the Ngunduh Mantu ceremony held in Medan. Included in the guest list are President Jokowi’s relatives from Solo. The local military command has taken security measures by, among others, installing closed-circuit television cameras across the venue.
Read: 5 Facts of Kahiyang Ayu's Wedding
3. President Jokowi participates in Tortor dance
President Jokowi is scheduled to perform North Sumatra’s traditional dance, called Tortor, held during the peak of the Mata No Horja occasion. The ceremony is held to welcome President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi on Saturday, November 25. The ceremony is followed with a reception featuring a parade from Medan International Convention Center (MICC) to Bobby’s parents’ residence at Bukit Hijau Regency Taman Setia Budi housing complex.
4. Hundreds of journalists cover the ceremony
As many as 500 journalists from various media outlets are covering the ceremony. The journalists have been verified by the Presidential Media Centre, ceremony coordinator Fahrur Rozi said on Sunday, November 19.
5. The invitation printing company gains popularity
Printing company Inti Grafika owner Oky said he was grateful for being assigned to print invitations for the ceremony. Oky admitted that he received orders from other families to design invitations similar to Kahiyang-Bobby Ngunduh Mantu ceremony. Oky revealed that that he was assigned to print the invitations as his parents and Bobby share a social gathering.
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