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cannot be successfully organized without the presence of food. Food since the earlier
days in fact plays an important role and act as one the most essential components of
wedding and became a tradition and norms for most of the ethnics of the world
(Fukutomi, 2002; Mohamed, 2008; Abdullah, 2009). Some contend no wedding without
the presence of food (Sani 1999; Fukutomi, 2002; Bayan, 2007).
Not to exaggerate much effort have been given to the wedding food preparation whereby
in some ethnic groups, the whole community get involved into it. In Malaysia, it can
clearly be seen in the Malays, Indian, Chinese and other ethnic groups. Despite different
in the form of preparation the wedding food particularly the Malays have long been
practicing as ―kenduri or gotong royong‖ which refer to food prepare by the
neighborhoods and community to be served on the day of occasion. The preparation and
consumption of food this special occasion is known as wedding foodways (Camp, 2009).
In short, wedding foodways is significant to Malays as communal affair when everybody
chipped in and put up their shoulders to help. On the very day, the whole neighborhood
regardless of age, gender and social status are heavily involved in preparing and cooking
of food to be served to the guests. The combination this religion and social practices have
proven to be successfully draw community togetherness and integration. Sani (1999)
contends wedding foodways has long been recognized as the integrative force that
enhances solidarity and alliances between individuals and kin groups. It also acts as a
bonding mechanism not only among the family but also the community (Abdullah, 2009).
The old practices of Malay wedding foodways nevertheless are believed to have
perpetually altered due to the waves of modernization. From sociological perspective,
modernization symbolizes advancement, the evolution of a community and society
(Chandamrong, 1999; Kashyap, 2004; Moon, 2009). Moon (2009) argues modernization
involve societies which innovate and utilize the present and old knowledge, patterns,
techniques and resources in all area of activities. In this sense, the preparation and
cooking of Malays wedding food which are normally done in ―gotong royong‖
(togetherness manner) are believed to be gradually altered or being outsourcing to the
caterer (Abdullah, 2009). Wedding foods are now being served in the buffet-style by
arranging food in the chafing dishes on a long table or sideboard in which guests help
themselves. In addition, instead of wedding host house, town community and hotel
banquet halls are also becoming option to hold the wedding reception. These
transformations of practices in actual fact are uncontrolled and unavoidable as it provides
conveniences and practicality to the host as workload considerably reduced and fast. Not
too harsh to say that these practices are rapidly altered in the urban area. Inglehart &
Wayne (2000) noted there are so many benefits obtained from modernization however as
people embraces modernity, it some way destructs some of the good elements in the
society. In this sense, it is conjecture that due to the complexity of the society and others
related matters customary practices of wedding foodways which symbolizes the Malays
commonality and social bond among the individuals be faded in the urban compare to the
rural area. With that this study is to uncover the issues by looking at; 1) factor moderating
the alteration of Malay wedding foodways in the urban area; 2) level of changes on the
Malay wedding foodways and 3) the impact of the alteration on social perspectives
COPY RIGHT © 2011 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 122
JANUARY 2011
VOL 2, NO 9