Fashioned in yellow brass (tembaga kuning), sprinklers such as this usually come in a pair. Filled with rose water (air mawar), the sprinklers would have been used in three important tradtional Malay ceremonies.The first is the cukur rambut ceremony which marks the Malay child's first haircut. Bunga rampai, a potpourri of finely-sliced pandan leaves and flowers sprinkled with rose water were given to guests at this ceremony. Rose water was believed to have purifying properties.The second ceremony is the berinai ceremony in which the malay bride's hands and fingers are stained with henna the night before the bersanding (sitting-in-state) component of the wedding celebrations. The bride's hands are sprinkled with rose water during the berinai ceremony.The third ceremony is during the bersanding itself. Called the tepung tawar ceremony, important guests will sprinkle both the bride and groom's hands to wish them wedded bliss.
