seserahan

Seserahan is a traditional wedding rite in Indonesia, particularly among Javanese and Sundanese communities. It refers to a set of gifts prepared by the bride's family and presented to the groom's family as part of the wedding preparations. The act symbolizes the bride's readiness to enter marriage and the groom's family's acceptance of the bride and her contributions.

The items in seserahan commonly include the bride's clothes and accessories—such as batik fabrics, a kebaya, jewelry, and cosmetics—as well as items for the couple's future household like kitchenware, towels, and religious objects. Food items or snacks, and sometimes money, may also be included. The gifts are typically arranged on decorated trays or baskets, often called dulang or seserahan, and wrapped in bright fabrics or ribbons.

The presentation can occur several days before the wedding or on the wedding day, depending on local customs. During the ceremony, the bride’s family sends the seserahan to the groom’s side, where the gifts are received and blessings are exchanged. Seserahan is distinct from the mahar (the dowry), which is a separate gift from the groom to the bride and is often discussed or formalized in different parts of the ceremony.

Modern practice varies: some families follow traditional lists exactly, while others adapt items to contemporary life or personal preferences. Regardless of variation, seserahan remains a symbolic gesture of readiness, compatibility, and mutual blessing between the two families as they unite through marriage.