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Visitor Information NEGARA DARUSSALAM

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in The mosque is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific ContentsContent

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 2 ContentsContent Pages 4 & 5

Culture & Customs Pages 6 & 7

Ethnic Groups Pages 8 & 9

Useful Information Pages 10 & 11

Brunei Life Page 12

Brunei is officially known as the Brunei is the only sovereign the northeast tip of , Nation of Brunei, the Abode of state completely on the island Seludong (Manila), and the Peace. of Borneo; the remainder of islands off the north-west tip of the island’ territory is divided Borneo. Brunei is a country located on between the nations of the north coast of the island of and . During the 19th century, the Borneo in . Apart Bruneian Empire began to from its coastline with the South At the peak of the Bruneian decline. The Sultanate ceded Sea, the sovereign state is Empire, Sultan (1485– () to James completely surrounded by the 1528) is alleged to have had Brooke and installed him as the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is control over most regions of White Rajah, and it ceded separated into two parts by the Borneo, including modern day to the British Sarawak district of Limbang. Sarawak and Sabah, as well Chartered Company. as the Sulu Archipelago off

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 3 HistoryHistory of Brunei

Sultan Haji Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei.

Brunei is mentioned in one of the According to legend, upon landing he A 1000 years of History earliest Chinese records. In a letter dated exclaimed, Baru nah (loosely translated as in the making 977 AD to the Chinese emperor from “that’s it!” or “there”), from which the name the ruler of Po-ni, which some scholars “Brunei” was derived. He was the first Muslim believe to refer to Borneo. ruler of Brunei

In 1225, a Chinese official, Chau Ju-Kua, The Spanish invaded the capital on 16th reported that Po-ni had 100 warships to April 1578. The Sultan and Paduka protect its trade, and that there was a lot of Seri Begawan Sultan were wealth in the Kingdom. forced to flee to Meragang then to Jerudong.

Local history states that Brunei was founded In Jerudong, they made plans to chase the by Awang Alak Betatar, later to be Sultan conquering army away from Brunei. Suffering Muhammad Shah, reigning around 1400. high fatalities due to a cholera or dysentery He moved from Garang in the Temburong outbreak, the Spanish decided to abandon District to the Brunei River estuary, Brunei and returned to Manila on 26 National Emblem of Brunei discovering Brunei 1578, after 72 days

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 4 HistoryNegara Brunei Darussalam - The Abode of Peace The earliest recorded documentation by someone from the West about Brunei is by an Italian known as Ludovico di Varthema. His account written in 1550 states:

We arrived at the island of Bornei which is distant from the Maluch about two hundred miles, and we found that it was somewhat larger than the aforesaid and much lower. The people are pagans and are men of goodwill...... in this island justice is well administered . 29th April 1803 – 11th June 1868 Sir , Rajah of Sarawak. of Rajah Sir James Brooke,

British Intervention This final annexation by Sarawak left war in Europe. The troops from the Punjab The British have intervened in the affairs of Brunei with its current small land mass and Regiment filled in the Seria oilfield oil wells Brunei on several occasions. separation into two parts. with concrete in September 1941 to deny the Japanese their use. Britain attacked Brunei in July 1846 due to British residents were introduced in Brunei internal conflicts over who was the rightful under the Supplementary Protectorate During the occupation, the Japanese had Sultan. Agreement in 1906. The residents were their language taught in schools, and to advise the sultan on all matters of Government officers were required to learn In the 1880s, the decline of the Bruneian administration. Japanese. The local was replaced by Empire continued. The sultan granted land what was to become known as duit pisang (now Sarawak) to James Brooke, who had Discovery of oil (banana money). helped him quell a rebellion and allowed Petroleum was discovered in 1929 after him to establish the Kingdom of Sarawak. several fruitless attempts. Seria Well Number On 10 June 1945, One (S-1) was drilled on 12th July 1928. Oil the Australian 9th Over time, Brooke and his nephews leased was struck on 5th April 1929. Division landed at Muara under or annexed more land. Brunei lost much of Operation Oboe Six to recapture Borneo from its territory to him and his dynasty which is Seria Well Number 2 (S-2) was drilled on 19th the Japanese known as the White Rajah. August 1929, and still continues to produce oil today. Post-World War II Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin After World War II, a new government was appealed to the British to stop further The British Malayan Petroleum Company formed in Brunei under the British Military encroachment by Brooke. (now Brunei Petroleum Company) was Administration (BMA). It consisted mainly of formed on 22nd July 1922. Australian officers and servicemen. The “Treaty of Protection” was negotiated by Sir and Oil and natural gas have In 1959, a new constitution was written signed on 17 September 1888. The been the basis of Brunei’s declaring Brunei a self-governing state, treaty said that the sultan “could development and wealth while its foreign affairs, security, and defence not cede or lease any territory to since the late 20th century. remained the responsibility of the United foreign powers without British Kingdom. consent”; it provided Britain Japanese occupation effective control over Brunei’s The Japanese invaded Brunei A small rebellion erupted against the external affairs, making it a British on 16th December 1941. monarchy in 1962, which was suppressed protected state - which continued They landed 10,000 troops at with help of the UK. Known as the Brunei until 1984. Kuala Belait. After six days of Revolt, it contributed to the failure to create Sir Hugh Low GCMG fighting, they occupied the the North Borneo Federation. . Governor of However, when the Kingdom of entire country. Sarawak annexed Brunei’s Pandaruan District Brunei gained its independence from the in 1890, the British did not take any action to The British had anticipated a Japanese on 1st January 1984. The stop it. attack, but lacked the resources to defend official National Day, which celebrates the the area because of their engagement in the country’s independence, is held annually on 23rd February. WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 5 Culture & Customs

The is strongly including stoning, for offenses such a mosque; influenced by Malay cultures and the Cultureas adultery, abortion, homosexuality/ • shake hands gently and then gently Islamic . sodomy, taking drugs and blasphemy. touch the center of one’s chest with the right hand afterward; The culture is also influenced by the Food • never address a person by name demographic makeup of the country: The Malay diet mainly consists of rice alone; more than two-thirds of the population and curries consisting of vegetables, • never consume items until are Malay, and the remainder consists of fish, shellfish, and fruits. specifically requested to do so; Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups • avoid public inter-sexual bodily such as Dayaks, Dusuns and Kedazans. Curries of water buffalo, chicken, contact; and... and beef are consumed on special • never lose one’s temper. Language occasions. While Standard Malay is the official Marriage and Family language of Brunei, languages such Game birds and animals (especially Usually the parents of a young man will as and English are more mouse deer, barking deer, and sambar) arrange a marriage with the parents of a young woman. commonly spoken. are eaten in rural areas. For a Muslim, the spouse must also be Religion Pork products are forbidden to Muslims. Muslim; thus, individuals, especially men, The Constitution of Brunei states that often convert to in order to marry a “The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall There is a wide range of open-air Muslim. be the Muslim religion according to the markets and restaurants in the main Shafi’i of that religion”, although towns. A popular local drink is iced Inter- marriages are not it also guarantees religious freedom, unripe coconut milk. Coffee is widely uncommon. There is considerable minor albeit with restrictions. His Majesty the consumed however, alcoholic drinks variation in marriage ceremonies from Sultan, is depicted as the defender of are forbidden to Muslims and not for group to group and within ethnic groups. Islam in the country under a system sale in Brunei. known as Malay Islamic Monarchy, Food Customs at Ceremonial On 30th April 2014, His Majesty the Occasions. Sultan, announced the implementation At large Malay wedding feasts and the and enforcement of law in forty-day funeral feast, rice and coconut Brunei. cream-based meat curries ( santan ) are served, often to a hundred or more The first phase of Sharia law, included guests. fines and prison sentences for “crimes” such as pregnancies outside of wedlock, Etiquette propagating other than Islam, The following rules of etiquette are and not attending mandatory Friday universal throughout Asia: . • pass items only with the right hand; • refuse food by touching the The second phase introduced harsh container with the right hand, never punishments such as floggings and verbally; cutting off hands for property offenses • use a thumb, never an index finger, to point; The third and final phase implemented • remove shoes whenever entering a in 2016, introduced executions, home or public building, especially A selection of traditional Malay dishes

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 6 CultureCulture & Customs

•• CHILDREN - ARE STRICTLY BOUND BY CUSTOM TO LOOK UPON THEIR PARENTS WITH RESPECT AND TOTAL OBEDIENCE •• PRAYERS - FOLLOWING ISLAMIC PRACTICE THERE ARE 2 HOURS OF BETWEEN 12 AND 2 ON FRIDAYS •• CLOTHING - ALL CLOTHING MUST BE CONSERVATIVE. ARMPITS AND SHOULDERS SHOULD BE COVERED AT ALL TIMES •• HOUSING - IS TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTED OF WOOD AND PALM LEAVES (ATTAP) RAISED ON STILTS •• FASTING - DURING HARI TAYA THERE IS A MONTH LONG FAST KNOWN AS RAMADAN •• EATING - ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT HAND WHILE EATING & DONT EAT WHILE WALKING •• AFFECTION - AVOID ALL PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION •• CROSSING LEGS - WHEN SITTING, NEVER CROSS YOUR LEGS IN FRONT OF AN ELDER •• FEET - NEVER EXPOSE THE SOLES OF YOUR FEET AND NEVER PUT THEM ON A TABLE OR IN THE AIR •• BODY LANGUAGE - PLACING HANDS ON HIPS IS A SIGN OF ANGER •• CLOTHING COLOUR - ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS YELLOW CAN ONLY BE WORN BY ROYALTY. •• VISITING - THE HOST GREETS GUESTS WITH THE ARABIC PHRASE ASSALAMUALAIKUM WHICH MEANS “PEACE BE UPON YOU”

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 7 Ethnic Groups The Brunei Constitution defines The Murut are an indigenous ethnic a as a member of the group, comprising 29 sub-ethnic groups following seven ethnic groups: EthnicityThe Murut were the last of Sabah’s ethnic groups to renounce head-hunting. As Bruneian Malay with the Iban of Sarawak, Are a native Malay ethnic group that lives in Brunei, the federal territory The Murut population in Brunei is of Labuan, the south-western coast mainly found in the sparsely populated of Sabah and the northern parts Temburong district. They once supplied of Sarawak. The Bruneian military might to the Sultans of Brunei are different from the larger Ethnic (image below) Malay population found in the other parts of the Malay World, namely Peninsular Malaysia and the central and southern areas of Sarawak including neighbouring lands such as Dusun (image above) , Indonesia and Southern The Dusun ethnic group at one time Thailand especially in language and made up almost 40% of the population culture of Sabah and is broken down into more than 30 sub-ethnic, or dialect groups, or Tutong tribes, each speaking a slightly different The Bisaya-Tutong are culturally diverse dialect of the Dusunic family language. and live in small groups interspersed among other peoples. They have One interesting fact about the Dusun The Kedayan are an ethnic group residing adapted many of their cultural features is that they do not have the word in Brunei, Labuan, Sabah, and parts of from these peoples. Little is known of ‘dusun’ in their vocabulary. It has been Sarawak their history. suggested that the term ‘Dusun’ was a term used by the Sultan of Brunei The origins of the are In the past, their reputation was a to refer to the ethnic groups of inland uncertain. Some of them believe their violent one. There was much inter- farmers in present-day Sabah. ‘Dusun’ people were originally from , which tribal warfare, and the Bisayan warriors means ‘orchard’ in Malay they left during the reign of Sultan beheaded their enemies to gain power. Bolkiah Murut (image below) Belait The Belait People are an ethnic Bisaya (image page 9 top left)) group which reside mainly in the The Bisaya are an indigenous people Belait District of Brunei. They are of the north-west and the coast line of the native inhabitants of the district Borneo, Malaysia. They mostly live near from which the name was taken. the Beaufort district, the Padas River also Kuala Penyu in the Sabah region. The majority of the Belait People live in the Belait District and they The Bisaya people are also regarded as a are overwhelmingly Muslims. relatives of the .

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 8 Bumiputera - from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhumiputra’, which roughly translated means ‘sons of the soil can also be referred to as Melayu Jati or Indigenous Malays. In Brunei is the term used to refer to a member of majority Ethnic Groups Malay ethnic group are still prohibited by certain churches The term Dayak is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic EthnicityKelabit subgroups, located principally in the The Kelabit are an indigenous Dayak central and southern interior of Borneo, people of the Sarawak/North each with its own dialect, customs, highlands of Borneo. Because the laws, territory and culture, although highlands are largely inaccessible by river common distinguishing traits are readily (due to rapids), the Kelabit have been identifiable. relatively untouched by modern western influences. Dayak languages are categorised as part of the in Asia. During the Second World War the Kelabit, were co-opted by the Allies into fighting Other indigenous people are not The Dayak were traditionally animist in the Japanese. They were supplied with ; however, many converted to Islam defined as being Bumiputera by the weapons by the Australian military and Brunei constitution i.e. people of and since the 19th century there has been played an essential role in the liberation mass conversion to . Malay-speaking ethnic groups who of Borneo don’t belong to the Islamic . These are: Penan

Penan are one of the last such peoples Iban (image left) remaining as hunters and gatherers. The Iban or Sea The Penan are noted for their practice of Dayaks are a ‘molong’ which means never taking more branch of the than necessary. They eat plants, which are Dayak people. also used as medicines, and animals and use the hides, skin, fur, and other parts for Iban were clothing and shelter. renowned for practicing head- Sama-Bajau (image above) hunting and The Bajau have sometimes been called tribal/territorial “Sea Gypsies” or “Sea Nomads”. expansion, and had a fearsome Sama-Bajau is a collective term, used reputation as a strong and successful to describe several closely related warring tribe indigenous people who consider themselves a single distinct bangsa. For hundreds of years, the Iban ancestors practiced animistic beliefs, although after The Sama-Bajau are mostly a nomadic, the arrival of James Brooke, many were seafaring people, living off the sea by influenced by European and trading and subsistence fishing. converted to Christianity. The boat-dwelling Sama-Bajau see Although the majority are now Christian; themselves as non-aggressive people. many continue to observe both Christian Dayaks (image above) and traditional ceremonies, particularly They kept close to the shore by erecting The Dayaks are the native people of during marriages or festivals, although houses on stilts, and travelled using lepa, Borneo. some ancestral practice such as ‘Miring’ handmade boats which many lived in.

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 9 Useful Information

Flying to Brunei Getting around - Hire Car YouInformation may prefer for Hornbill School to help Royal Brunei Airlines (www. flyroyalbrunei.com) is the national you hire a car during your stay. If so please carrier for Brunei and should be used for contact the school office who will be more that happy to help arrange this. all official visits to Hornbill School. Documentation You will depart from London Heathrow Driving licences issued by other countries are Terminal 4 (there are two departure valid for up to three months. You must carry times - please check your ticket) You your licence with you at all times. will fly on the 787 Boeing Dreamliner non-stop service with a flight time of Vehicles between 12 and 14 hours. The Brunei transport system drives on the left-hand side of the road. All car passengers are required to wear seat belts. Your final destination is Bandar Seri Begawan - referred to as BSB and you Use of mobile phones while driving is will arrive at Brunei International Airport prohibited. (BIA) Speed BI003 from LHR to BIA Speed limits are 100kph on dual BI004 to LHR from BIA carriageways, 80kph on single carriageways Brunei Bronze Kettle used as a and 50kph in built-up areas. dowry or heirloom Visas The Darussalam Breakdown services allows citizens of specific countries and If your car breaks down, roadside assistance territories to travel to Brunei for tourism or is available 24 hours a day from 24-7 Assist business for up to 90, 30 or 14 days without (tel: +673 247 0247) having to obtain a visa. Smoking All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 Smoking is prohibited in certain public months. places, including shopping and eating areas, bus stops and stations, and all government Passports must have at least 4 clear empty buildings. Offenders may be fined. pages for visa stamps etc. It’s difficult to buy cigarettes in Brunei and Emergency & Important Getting around - Taxi there’s no duty-free allowance for tobacco Brunei has only a small number of official or tobacco products, even for personal Numbers taxis, all of them operated by independent consumption. drivers. The sultanate’s only taxi rank is at Ambulance - 991 Bandar Seri Begawan’s bus terminal on Opening Hours Jalan Cater. Places of business and offices including shops and restaurants are open from around Fire - 995 Taxis do not have meters so negotiate 0900hrs until 1700hrs. However, restaurants the fare before boarding. Tipping is not and some shops will still be open until necessary. 2200hrs. Police - 993

Getting around - Bus All businesses shut between 12 noon and Search & Rescue - 998 Public buses link Bandar Seri Begawan’s 2pm every Friday. city centre bus terminal with towns such as Kuala Lurah, Muara, Tutong and Seria.

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 10 Useful Information

InformationMoney Credit cards are accepted at most major establishments. However, a large number of shops and restaurants will only accept cash and will not have a credit card facility. History of the Straits Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at in Brunei. banks or major hotels in the capital. In 1837, the Indian was made

the sole official currency in the Straits Most other major are Settlements convertible at banks, hotels or official money changers. In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India The (Ringgit) has a and the dollar was made the standard currency code of BND and is normally currency. abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively B$ to distinguish it from other From 1899, the was issued dollar-denominated currencies. by a new Board of Commissioners of Currency The dollar is divided into 100 sen (Malay) or cents (English). Note: The Straits Settlements were a group of Under a Currency Interchangeability British territories located in Southeast Agreement in 1967, the Brunei dollar Asia. is interchangeable with the at par. As such, the Brunei dollar Originally established in 1826 as part is accepted in Singapore as “customary of the territories controlled by the tender”; likewise, the Singapore dollar is British , the Straits accepted for payments in Brunei. However, Settlements came under direct British you can not use a torn Singapore Dollar in control as a Crown colony on 1 April 1867. any establishment - check your change! The colony was dissolved in 1946

The Straits Settlements originally consisted of the four individual settlements of Malacca, Dinding, Penang and Singapore. and the Cocos Islands were also included.

The island of Labuan, off the coast of Brunei coins are: Borneo, was also incorporated into the 1 sen colony with effect from 1 January 1907 5 sen 10 sen 20 sen 50 sen

WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 11 Brunei Life

Kampong Ayer is a historical settlement area inLife Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It literally means ‘water village’

Kampong Ayer consists of a cluster of traditional stilt villages built on the Brunei River, mainly in the vicinity of the present-day Pusat Bandar or the City Centre.

It has often been dubbed by tourists as ‘Venice of the East’

Kampong Ayer consists of several small neighbourhoods which are officially designated as villages, each has its own village head called ketua kampung. The villages are under a few subdistricts or mukims of the Brunei-Muara District, with a Penghulu as the mukim head.

Tamu Kianggeh The open market brings together numerous small entrepreneurs selling local vegetables, fruits, live chickens, fish, potted plants, assorted food and beverages.