Any event that brings traditional Ethnic Betawi wedding, would never leave the bread alligator. Usually the bread is about 50 centimeters in length was brought by the bride groom at the ceremony-junk.
In
addition to bread crocodiles, bride groom also provide dowry money,
jewelry, fabric, kebaya dress, slippers, toiletries, and some household
appliances.
Of a number of goods delivered, the most important position crocodile bread. In fact, practically obligatory. Therefore,
this bread has significance for the citizens of Betawi, ie as an
expression of loyalty to the married lived and death coupled .
The origins of this crocodile bread, supposedly inspired by the behavior of crocodiles mating only once throughout his life. And the Betawi people believe it is hereditary.
In addition to the behavior inspired crocodile, a symbol of loyalty embodied in a loaf-shaped food also has a special meaning. According to the Betawi people's belief, bread is also a symbol of economic success. For the purpose, other than loyal to each other, married couples also have a better future and can settle down.
Therefore,
no wonder if every time the wedding procession, the groom always carry a
pair of large alligator bread, bread and a small alligator that is
placed on top of bread crocodile symbolized as female crocodile. This reflects the groom's loyalty to the bride to have children and grandchildren. This tradition still continues to this day.
According
to Haji Ilyas, one of the leaders in Tanahtinggi Betawi, Central
Jakarta, although today many Betawi people who celebrate the marriage in
a modern, but they still wear crocodile bread as a symbol of loyalty. Because the crocodile bread for the Betawi people already entrenched.
"Adat kite ntu kagak ilang. Masih banyak nyang pake. Kite ambil contoh di kawasan Condet, Palmerah sampe ke Bekasi, malahan sampe Tangerang" said the man who is often called Hajj.
Unfortunately, the current crocodile bread is not easy to find in-store bakery. Therefore, for those who are married should first message to the baker. And the price also varies depending on the size ordered, ie ranging from 50 thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That has included a sense of bread, baskets, and complementary accessories. "Bread
crocodile is a celebration cake, so there is not every day. If you
would like to order first," said Ari, one of the cakes in the market
traders Monday.
Indeed, for people who already customary to make bread, not too hard to make bread this crocodile. Because, basically very simple ingredients, ie flour, sugar, margarine, salt, yeast, milk powder, eggs and dye. Overall the material is mixed and stirred until blended and smooth, and shaped like a crocodile. Once the form and then oven / bake until cooked.