Brunei was once was a large empire that encompassed the southwest portion of the Philippines and the entire island of Borneo. It is now among the smallest countries in the world, but has maintained its majestic glory and is still one of the richest nations in Southeast Asia.
History
The earliest recorded history of the country can be found in documents discussing China’s trade with Puni during the Tang Dynasty in the 6th century AD. Brunei was initially a part of Java’s Majapahit Empire. Its glory days were in the 15th to the 17th centuries, when it encompassed the southern Philippines and Borneo’s northwestern coastal areas.
James Brooke, a British imperialist and adventurer, helped the sultan resolve the rebellion caused by inland tribes in 1838, rewarding him with power over a section of Sarawak. Brooke appointed himself as a “Raja” and eliminated the pirates of Borneo, promoted peace, and deliberately forcing treaties with the sultan, causing Brunei to be divided in half by 1890.
Brunei became a protectorate of Britain in 1888, but in 1929 it regained rights to its own land when oil was discovered. The country flourished when offshore oil fields were developed in the 1960’s. By 1984, the 29th Sultan, Sultan Sir Hassanai Bolkiah, led Brunei to independence from the British. A US $350-million palace was built in celebration of his success.
In 1998, Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, the son of the sultan was declared heir to the throne. As the 30th sultan from his family, amendments to the constitution were finally made in 2004 to allow the first parliamentary elections in Brunei.
Culture
Brunei’s culture is very similar to other Malay cultures, but it is also influenced by the country’s diverse population – two-thirds are Malays, and the remaining residents are Indians, Chinese, and indigenous Kedazans, Dusuns, and Dayaks. Bruneians are very family-oriented and welcoming.
Sharia, the religious law and moral code of Islam, is followed, which prohibits the public consumption and sale of alcohol. There are no official clubs or pubs in the country, and the Western style of nightlife is limited. For entertainment, there are cinemas showing the latest Hollywood films. There are restaurants, shopping and drinking across the border in Malaysia.
Most of the Brunei Darussalam holidays and festivals are religiously oriented, but there are also holidays that commemorate important historical events. The First Day of Hijrah, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad, and Chinese New Year don’t have fixed dates and other notable celebrations include National Day and the Sultan’s Birthday.
New Year’s Day
The New Year’s Eve (December 31) celebration kicks off with locals playing tennis, golf, squash, scuba diving, bowling, kayaking, and even windsurfing in anticipation of New Year’s Day. Come January 1st, there are fireworks displays and exuberant gatherings for families and friends.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
An Islamic holiday without a fixed date, Muhammad’s Birthday usually falls in January/February. The Sultan and the rest of the royal Brunei family typically lead a procession throughout Bandar Seri Begawan.
National Day
February 23 is Brunei’s National Day, an annual celebration of its independence from Britain. Though freedom was actually achieved on January 1, 1984, the official celebration is held every February 23 to follow tradition.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is celebrated every May 31 to pay tribute to the dedicated men and women behind the Royal Brunei army. You will see displays of artillery, exhibitions, parachuting, and military parades.
Sultan’s Birthday
July 15 is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s birthday. He is the 29th Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of the country, and is also the first Prime Minister of Brunei. He was born in 1946 in Brunei Town, which is currently known as the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
First Day of Hijra
This day celebrates the migration of the prophet Muhammad and his followers to Medina from Mecca. This festival also marks the Islamic New Year, so it doesn’t have a fixed date but typically falls in June/July.
End of Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr is the celebrated at the end of Ramadan or the month of fasting, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. There is also no set date, but it usually takes place in August. Children are given presents and money, and everyone wears new clothes. Muslims go to the mosque in the morning for special Eid prayers, worship and thanksgiving. The rest of the day is all about eating and socializing with friends and family.
Christmas Day
Brunei celebrates Christmas on December 25 like the rest of the world with family gatherings and gifts.
Brunei
Ya Allah lanjutkanlah usia
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Adil berdaulat menaungi nusa
memimpin rakyat kekal bahagia
hidup sentosa negara dan sultan
Ilahi selamatkan Brunei Darussalam
[English]
God bless His Majesty
With a long life
Justly and nobly rule the Kingdom
And lead our people happily forever
Peacefully be, the Kingdom And Sultan
Lord, save Brunei, the Abode of Peace
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