Visitor Information NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan The mosque is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific ContentContents WELCOME TO BRUNEI - PAGE 2 ContentContents History of Brunei 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 Borneo, 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’s territory is divided Borneo. Brunei is a country located on between the nations of Malaysia the north coast of the island of and Indonesia. During the 19th century, the Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart Bruneian Empire began to from its coastline with the South At the peak of the Bruneian decline. The Sultanate ceded China Sea, the sovereign state is Empire, Sultan Bolkiah (1485– Sarawak (Kuching) 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 Sabah separated into two parts by the Borneo, including modern day to the British North Borneo 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 Hassanal Bolkiah 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 Saiful Rijal and Paduka protect its trade, and that there was a lot of Seri Begawan Sultan Abdul Kahar 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 June 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 James Brooke, 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 currency 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 Shell 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 Hugh Low 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 Labuan 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 United Kingdom 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 culture of Brunei 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 religion. 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 Brunei Malay 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 Islam 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 sect of that religion”, although towns. A popular local drink is iced Inter-ethnic group 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 Sharia 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 religions other than Islam, The following rules of etiquette are and not attending mandatory Friday universal throughout Asia: prayers.