Gantang and Nyiru Research

Gantang and Nyiru
Bamboo Tray and Rice Measure

• Gantang and Nyiru were the items found in the traditional Peranakan Kitchen before World War II.
  
• Gantang is a wooden rice measure which holds 6 Kati (3.6kilograms) of rice.
  
• Nyiru is a flat bamboo tray that came in various sizes.
  
• Primarily usages are for drying and storing items such as spices and herbs.
  
• Gantang and Nyiru were used together by the Peranakan on the traditional 12th day of Peranakan Wedding Chiu Thau (Hair-combing ceremony).
  
• Gantang and Nyiru were usually lacquered red, usually accompanied with bright red circle painted at the center of the Nyiru and the Gantang was placed within this bright red circle where bride and bridegroom would sit on the Gantang for the duration of the rite.(Red, the auspicious color for wedding)
  
• Chiu Thau rite involved the bride and bridegroom which both of whom would participate in the rite simultaneously in their respective gomes at a pre-determined auspicious hour.
  
• Stepping onto the Nyiru symbolize stepping into adulthood which they obtained a new identity and with all the responsibilities that came with being adults.
  
• Entry to the adulthood was considered to be the most sacrosanct in the whole ceremony in the whole ceremony.
  
• Elderly Peranakans would usually caution witnesses to the rite, matched by their “Ba Zhi” Chinese Eight Character, incompatible born year with the auspicious time of the rite, to turn their heads at this very moment to avoid any misfortunate from befalling the wedding couple.
  
• “Marriage Certificates” came into vogue in the 19th Century.
  
• Ting Kong, the god of Heaven. It was the sacred vows taken by the bride and bridegroom, witnessed by that sealed the sacred bond of marriage between two families.
  
• Gantang and Nyiru will be place on the floor after the head of the household prays and lights the candles on the Sam Kai altar.
  
• Its mouth would be positioned upwards and covered with a piece of red carpet.
  
• Bride will be dressed in white pyjamas made from the cloth sent by the groom.
  
• Only virgins bride are allowed on the Gantang and place the Chinese almanac on the lap.
  
• There will be a Pageboy who blessed the bridal bed during the an chng ceremony which also will be present. The mistress of ceremonies hands him symbolic objects so that he can passes them to the bride.(Items are Chinese ruler, a razor, red thread and a pair of scissors.)
  
• The Chinese weighing scale scales from top of bride’s head and slowly lowers it to her feet to remind her to weigh all her actions.
  
• The ruler serves to advise her to exercise wisdom in all her judgments.
  
• Sharp Razor reminds her to be careful in everything she does.
  
• The bride’s plain chignon is than covered with gold and diamond pins, forming a bejeweled crown.
  
• The ceremony will ends when the candles on the altar burns out.
  
• The couple is subsequently dressed in their wedding finery and prayers are said at the two homes.