THE MEANIG OF TEPAK SIRIH TRADITION IN TANJUNGBALAI MALAY WEDDING CEREMONY

This study is concerned at finding the meanings of Tepak Sirih tradition in
Tanjungbalai Malay wedding ceremony. either it is the meaning of offering tepak
sirih and the meanings that found in all objects that needed to practice tepak sirih
tradition. This study also concerned on how and why the meanings realized in
practicing tepak sirih. The research method used in this paper is descriptive
qualitative method which is related to the grounded theory where the meanings
are elaborated by using Roland Barthes’s Semiology Theory. The interview was
assisted by two interviewees who are expert about Tanjungbalai Malay culture
and tradition and they are the speakers in every ceremony of Malay in
Tanjungbalai. The results showed that offering tepak sirih have different meaning
in different event. Merisik, meminang and Hempang pintu are three events that
use tepak sirih tradition in Tanjungbalai Malay wedding but only hempang pintu
which uses tepak sirih in the wedding ceremony. The writer found There were 11
dennotative meanings, 7 connotative meanings and two myths in all objects that
needed in doing tepak Sirih tradition. The reason Tepak sirih is seen as the tool of
communication or the opening speech in Tanjungbalai Malay wedding ceremony
lies on the history of Tanjung balai Malay living in the past.