Brunei Darussalam

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1. DEWA GEDE KERAMAS PRADNYANANPM. 09.8.03.51.31.2.5.34772. I GEDE ADNYANANPM. 09.8.03.51.31.2.5.3448

STATISTIC

CULTURE

CUSTOM AND ETIQUETTE

FACTS

Key Topics About Brunei

EVENT AND FESTIVAL

STATISTICS

OFFICIAL NAME:Negara Brunei Darussalam

Area: 5,765 sq. km. (2,226 sq. mi.)Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan.Terrain: East--flat coastal plain rises to mountains; west--hilly lowland with a few mountain ridges.Climate: Equatorial; high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall.

PEOPLE Nationality: Noun and adjective--Bruneian(s).Population (2007 est.): 390,000.Annual growth rate (2007 est., Government of Brunei): 1.8%.Ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, other indigenous groups.

Religion: Islam.Languages: Malay, English, Chinese; Iban and other indigenous dialects.Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy (2006)--94.7%.Health: Life expectancy--men 75.2 years, women 77.8 years. Infant mortality rate (2007 est., Government of Brunei)--7.6/1,000.

Here are some facts about Brunei

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

CLIMATE

RELIGION

The country lies on the north western region of the island of Borneo between 114 degrees 04' east longitudes and 4 degrees and 30? north latitudes. Brunei is bordered by the South China Sea and Malaysia.

The four rivers of Brunei Belait, Tutong, Temburong and Brunei-Muara, constitute a significant aspect of Brunei's geography

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Islam is the official religion of Brunei Darussalam as stated in the Brunei Constitution, with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan as the head of the Islamic faith in the country.

Climate forms another significant part of the geography of Brunei. Brunei has an equatorial type of climate characterized by high temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall.

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Brunei’s Culture

MUSIC LANGUAGE

HANDICRAFT GOVERNMENT

ECONOMY FASHION

MUSIC Brunei music has a distinctive flavor of its own. The folk music and some of the local musical instruments on which it is played speaks volumes of its rich musical heritage. One of the traditional musical instruments is the Kulintangan which is a collection of bells set in a wooden frame. Then there are the Agongs which are a set of comparatively bigger bells.

The Tawak-Tawak also belongs to the same category of musical instruments. The Duck gongs are a bit different in this respect as they produce a slightly different sound. There is the traditional drum known as the Gendang and the Gambus which is a lute with six strings. These instruments are played on the occasion of weddings and often are accompanied by Yadan and Dondang songs

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Brunei languages comprise of English, Malay, Iban, some varieties of Chinese as well as a number of local dialects. Malay is the official language of Brunei while English is used as a second language and is spoken and understood by majority of the population.

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Brunei or Brunei Darussalam as it is locally called has a literacy rate of 85 % to 95%which is quite impressive. The total number of languages that are officially listed for the state are 17.

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For the local people, handicrafts in Brunei form a source of income while for the tourists they constitute an interesting attraction. An expression of the traditional heritage of the land, Brunei handicrafts refer to a wide range of items from basketry to silverware.H

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Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Center is the principal place where various handicrafts of Brunei are exhibited and sold

Brunei sultan holds the most important and the most powerful position in the political domain of the country. Over the 600 years of its existence, Brunei has been ruled by the dynasty of sultans. A politically stable and prosperous country, Brunei has a constitutional sultanate type of government headed by the sultan.

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TThe sultan of Brunei is called His Majesty and he heads the executive branch of the government of Brunei. All the executive powers lie in the hands of the sultan. The present sultan of Brunei is His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah

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The Brunei economy consists of domestic as well as foreign entrepreneurship. The financial assistance from the overseas countries helps Brunei in the development and improvement of its domestic production.

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Natural gas and crude oil are the two main productions of the country.

Brunei Costumes reflect the culture of the conservative society of Brunei. Officially Brunei is a Muslim country; hence Islam is practiced largely in Brunei. The Muslims generally follow conservative Brunei attire. Brunei women dress in brightly colored apparels. The dresses usually cover their body from head to toe. The Muslim women in Brunei wear a head scarf in public places and in government offices but scarves not applicable to the Non-Muslim women. Muslim men follow the formal dress code in government offices and public places.

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MEETING ETIQUETTE The common greeting depends upon the ethnic origin

and the age of the person. In general, many men you meet will have adopted the

western concept of shaking hands, although this is not always the case with older Bruneians or with women.

Ethnic Malay men shake hands with one another, but men and women do not traditionally shake hands.

Younger Bruneians may shake hands with foreign women or they may merely bow their head in greeting.

It is considered respectful to bow your head when someone who is senior to yourself in age or position.

It is considered disrespectful and rude to stare into another person's eyes, particularly those of a person who is senior to you in age or status.

CUSTOM AND ETIQUETTE

GIFT-GIVING ETIQUETTE If invited to someone's home for dinner bring good

quality chocolates or fruit. Do not give toy dogs to children. Do not give anything made of pigskin. If giving foodstuffs ensure there is no gelatine or

anything else which is not ‘halal’. Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death

and mourning. Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if

the item is large. Gifts are generally not opened when received.

DINING ETIQUETTE For the most part, Bruneians do not invite foreigners

into their homes. If you are invited to a Bruneian home, consider it a

great honour and testament to your personal relationship.

Punctuality is not strictly adhered to. You may arrive a little late without causing offense.

Shoes are generally removed before entering a house.

Greet the eldest person first. Wait to be told where to sit. It is considered good manners to accept an offer of

food or a beverage. Turning down hospitality may be viewed as personal rejection.

DINING ETIQUETTE (con…) Wait to be invited to eat before starting. Food is often served buffet style or on a revolving tray

in the center of the table. The guest of honor may be served first or the eldest

person may. Do not eat with the left hand, as it is considered

unclean. Eat or pass food with your right hand only. Many Malays eat with their fingers. Alternatively, they

may serve cutlery for foreign guests, usually a fork and a tablespoon.

If passing a plate that is heavy, you may use your left hand to support your right wrist.

When you are finished eating, place your fork facing downward on your plate with your spoon, also facing downward, crossed over the fork.

EVENTS AND FESTIVAL

In Brunei festivals are always celebrated with color, enthusiasm and happiness. Young and old from different races come together in a spirit of unity that we are justifiably proud of.

Hari Raya AidilfitriHari Raya is a time for celebration after the fasting month of Ramadhan. Prayers are held in the early morning of the first day at every mosque in the country. This day is usually an occasion for. The second day normally means open house; an invitation for all to visit. Special festive dishes are made, including ketupat (rice cakes), satay (beef and chicken kebabs), rendang (spicy marinated beef) and many others.

His Majesty the Sultan also throws his doors open to the people at the Istana Nurul Iman. This gives the people and visitors a chance to meet His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, in order to wish them Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This is defintely an offer which should not be missed. When visiting, we should dress conservatively.

Royal Brunei Armed Forces DayThe formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is commemorated every year on the 31st of May, and the event usually takes place at the Taman Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien in the heart of the city. It consists of a military parade and displays, such as a parachuting show or battle demonstration. In other districts, units of the armed forces organize local parades and displays for the public.

His Majesty the Sultan's BirthdayThe day is celebrated on 15th of July

This joyous occasion is one of the most important events in the national calendar, with events and festivities taking place across the whole country. It usually starts when the people gather at the Taman Haji Sir Muda OmarAli Saifuddien, in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan. His Majesty meets his subjects there and delivers a titah, or speech, to mark the occasion. Afterwards there is an investiture at the Istana Nurul Iman and, for the next two weeks or so, a series of processions, parades and celebrations. Fireworks displays take place and night markets - pasar malam - open up to sell food and drinks to the crowds.

THANK YOU

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