According to Temuan custom, it is the responsibility of the parents to find a suitable mate for their son whenever he reaches the age of 18, if they have their eye on a girl, the boy’s uncle will go to the girl’s house to ask her hand in marriage. The girl’s family will in turn discuss this matter wit hclose relatives before deciding wheter to accept the proposal or otherwise, if they decise to accept it a suitable date will be choosen for the boy and girl to view each other. On the agreed day, the boy will go around to the girl’s house accompanied by his uncle, and the girl will wait in the house in the presence of his family. The visitors will be treated to a small feast before going home. The boy’s family will then send a small entourage to officially inquire about the girl’s availability. An engagement ring will be presented to the girl. The date of the betrothal ceremony will now be decided.

The couple has another chance of getting to know each other better. Once an agreement has been reached, a betrothal party will come over to the girl’s house headed by the boy’s uncle. The girl will be waiting at her family’s house together with relatives. When the betrothal party arrives, a mat bag wrapped neatly with a beautiful cloth, containing paraphernalia such as betel leaves, arecra nuts, camphor and gambler, together with a pair of silver rings, is presented to the girl representative or wall. Witnessed by everyone present, the girl’s wali opens the bag and offers everyone the betel leaves. Meanwhile, the leader of the boy’s party takes a silver ring and puts it around her finger. The boy and girl are now officially engaged. As a final act of agreement, both the walis will put a ring on each other’s finger, after which both parties will exchange gifts. The boy’s party will present gifts such as talcum powder, lipstick, looking glass, comb, scissors, threads, needles, hair pins, earrings (if the boy can afford them), necklace and soap. The girl’s party will present gifts such as mattrees and pillows, which shall stay at the girl’s house for use by the couple after they are married. All the gifts will be opened in full view of everyone present. Tok Batin or Jenang is given the task of opening all the giftspresented by both sides. The amount of dowry is usually discussed and decided upon during the ceremony.

Once the couple is officially engaged, the groom-to-be will usually give his bride-to-be a RM20.00 (or more if he can afford it) monthly supplement until the day of the wedding. The engagement period usually lasts from three to six months. Both parties will further discuss the dowry that the goom-to-can afford to present to his future bride. Nowadays, the dowry includes money to the amount of between RM 4,000.00 and RM 6,000.00 plus other gifts such as make-up or clothing set, as is the practice in the Malay community.