Culture, Arts and Crafts of Brunei
The cultural and artistic heritage of Brunei is supported by several public institutions such as the Royal Regalia Building, Brunei History Center, and the Arts and Handicraft Center. Brunei has a rich past which the government does an excellent job of promoting and maintaining. This nation was once renowned for its boat making, weaving, basketry, silversmith and bronze tooling skills. The Malay influence is quite evident in the traditional musical instruments, weaponry, decorative items and games of Brunei.
Introduction
When Islam was introduced, it dramatically changed the cultural landscape of Brunei. The distinctly Islamic art forms and cultural priorities brought a whole new element to the nation’s indigenous heritage. Brunei’s mosques are works of art in themselves, offering many examples of Islamic art that are rarely seen outside the Arabic world. Ceremonial items, intricate mosaics and gilded copies of the Koran can be viewed at several monuments around Brunei.
Religion
Islam: Brunei’s national religion is the Shafeite sect of Islam, which is a Sunni subgroup of Malay origin. Shafeite Muslims, which make up 66 percent of the population, adhere to the Shafi school of Islamic law. The remaining percentage of the Muslim population consists of Chinese converts and Kedayans, who are converted indigenous tribes. Islam was introduced to Brunei in the 15th century when a Malay Muslim was given the title of sultan.
While the sultan is technically the head of the Islamic faith in Brunei, the Department of Religious Affairs is in charge of promoting and maintaining the daily functions of Islam. This includes a rather strict branch of Islamic police who uphold Islamic law. Alcohol is prohibited, as are things like holding hands in public and eating pork. The penalties for breaking these rules can be quite harsh. Impressively, however, other religions such as Buddhism and Christianity are allowed to practice in peace.
Buddhism: Before the official installment of Islam by the sultan in the 15th century, Brunei was a land of Malay Hindu-Buddhists. This report comes from Chinese references to Puli, the old name for the region of Brunei. One of the earliest kings was known by the Sanskrit name of Sang Aji (‘revered monarch’). Buddhism probably made its way to Brunei along trading routes, much as Islam did in later years. Today, Mahayana Buddhism is Brunei’s second-largest religion, with 16 percent of the population practicing this religion.
Culture
Brunei is a serious but tolerant Islamic nation, so be sure and learn the various social and religious rules which fall under Islamic law before visiting. If you follow their customs, you will have a much more positive experience. The population are, however, very tolerant of foreigners. Don’t be afraid to ask someone what is proper or improper during your stay.
People in Brunei greet each other by lightly touching hands, then putting their hand to their chest in a fluid movement. Muslims rarely exchange physical contact between members of the opposite sex. Dress is very important in Brunei. Always dress conservatively, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. This is particularly true for women, who should try to keep their legs and most of their arms covered when in public. Some main points to remember are:
- Do not point with your finger. Instead, fold the fingers of your right hand under your thumb and use the thumb to point.
- Do not smack your right hand into your left fist, as this carries a rude connotation.
- Do not wear shoes into a mosque. Women must cover their heads, knees and arms in mosques.
- Do not pass in front of anyone who is praying in a mosque.
- Do not touch a Koran.
- Do not pass a gift, especially food, with your left hand. Use your right hand only.
- Do not eat or drink in front of a Muslim during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
- Do not flaunt the fact that non-Muslims can drink alcohol discreetly in hotels and certain restaurants.
Traditional Arts and Crafts
Handicrafts: Brunei has a unique fusion of Islamic and Asian culture which appears in its traditional arts and crafts. The country has dozens of handicraft shops which offer a comprehensive selection of the many items produced in the country. Textiles are one of the most impressive crafts made here. The exquisite gold and silver-threaded textiles known as jong sarat, and collectable antique textiles called kain tenunan are popular purchases.
In addition to the wonderful traditional clothes and weavings is a wide range of items made from silver and brass. Traditional daggers called kris are very popular souvenirs, as are the gongs and basketry made by hand from pandan leaves. The shopping centers in Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait and Seria offer the best selection of handicrafts. The capital’s Tamu night market is another great place to find everything from fruits and spices to antiques and cloth. These traditional outdoor market’s small stalls offer some local color to go with your shopping.
There are also plenty of modern shops such as those located in the nation’s largest shopping mall on jalan McArthur in the capital. Malls like this are full of large department stores, as well as specialty shops catering to visitors. Souvenirs and handicrafts can also be bought here, but the experience and price of the outdoor markets is always more interesting.
Music and dance : Brunei is not particularly known for its traditional music and dance, but there are a few folk songs and dances which have survived. One example is the adai-adai, a work song usually sung by groups of fishermen while they fish. Malay folk music is more dominant in modern Brunei, often played by professional musicians at special celebrations such as weddings. Responsive singing is a major aspect of this style of music, best exemplified in the song Alus Jua Dindang, where the groom flatters his new wife and declares his undying love. The Brunei Music Society has been preserving classical music in Brunei since 1972.
The local Malay population is best known for their jipin dance. This popular dance is performed by six men and women, and backed by traditional instruments such as the dombak, rebana and gambus dan biola. Gongs such as the guling tangan and smaller duck gongs are also popular instruments. There are a number of Kedayan folk dances which can occasionally be seen at special events. The benari is one of the most popular, typically performed during local festivals by three men and three women.
Aduk-aduk is another ceremonial dance performed by the Kedayan at special occasions such as the end of the harvest season. In this dance, the dancers wear a traditional warrior’s outfit of red and black clothing and move to the beat of the traditional Malay martial art known as silat. Numerous percussion instruments such as drums and coconut shells accompany this dance.
Literature: The Language and Literature Bureau is the country’s main ministry in charge of the promotion and development of literature and folklore. This office produces a series of textbooks in both English and Malay for use by students. The most popular form of traditional writing is a form of poetry called sajak. Although a handful of local authors have become well known in the literary world, Brunei is not very prolific. The nation’s most famous piece of traditional literature is the epic poem Sya’ir Awang Simawn, which tells the story of a cultural hero.
Brunei has, however, been the setting for a few modern novels by Western authors. Dan Brown’s novel Armageddon takes place mainly in Brunei and details a fictional attack on the nation by the group of Islamic fundamentalists. Another famous story featuring Brunei is Devil of a State by Anthony Burgess. In this novel, the building of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin’s mosque in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan is a major theme.
Sculpture: Sculpture in Brunei takes on a more utilitarian role than an aesthetic one. The people of Brunei have a long tradition as excellent craftsmen using bronze and silver to create adornments and functional items such as bowls, tools and the like. To help preserve this heritage of metalwork, the Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Center was established in 1975 to revive and promote the nation’s dying tradition of crafts, including metalwork. The opening of this center is still considered a landmark in the history of development of Brunei’s arts and handicrafts. In addition to training youths in the art of sculpting, the center also helps facilitate the sale of their crafts.
Painting: The best places to see traditional Brunei artwork is in the country’s mosques, which contain colorful collections of paintings as well as intricate mosaics and dramatic designs on the very walls themselves.
When it comes to modern art, there are a number of galleries in the capital that display work by up-and-coming artists. While modern art is not yet popular in Brunei, it is certainly on the increase and colorful Impressionist pieces can be purchased at special galleries and shops in city markets and shopping malls.