Tourists get a taste of Brunei culture

A GROUP of tourists got a taste of the Brunei culture and traditional food when they visited the ‘Pink House’ owned by Haji Mohd Zahari bin Adis at Kampong Tamoi Ujong yesterday.

Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali welcomed them to the residence at Kampong Ayer.

The tourists, who arrived in Brunei on a cruise ship, had the opportunity to enjoy the specially made traditional food and also had an up close and personal look at the lifestyle of village dwellers.

Brunei’s water village is world famous and a must-visit spot for tourists.

The visitors agreed that the water village offers spectacular sceneries and lamented that their stay there was too brief.

“We are immensely impressed with your local culture and your friendliness, and I look forward to coming back,” said Helmuth from Germany.

The tourists were guests onboard Seven Seas Navigator, which brought in 530 passengers and 324 crew members.

The vessel docked at Muara Port yesterday and left the Sultanate the same day for Singapore.

Other groups from the ship visited other places of interest including the Royal Regalia Museum and the Malay Technology Museum in Kota Batu.

Based on statistics, the country received 25,000 to 30,000 tourists via cruise ships annually in recent years.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Tourists get a taste of Brunei culture

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Brunei’s culture mainly derived from the Old Malay World, a territory which covered the Malay Archipelago

Brunei’s culture mainly derived from the Old Malay World, a territory which covered the Malay Archipelago. Brunei’s culture is therefore deeply rooted in its Malay origins, which are reflected in the nation’s language, architecture, ceremonies, and customs governing daily life. Though various foreign civilisations have played a role in forming Brunei’s rich history, the traditions of the Old Malay World have left an indelible mark on the culture of modern Brunei.

Today, Bruneians are predominantly Malay, though significant Chinese, Indian and indigenous Bornean populations add to the cultural makeup of Brunei. Brunei’s blend of cultures, customs, beliefs and customs is therefore very similar to that of Malaysia. The nation’s official language is Malay, but English is widely spoken by most of the population, and most signs in the country are written in Roman script.

If Malay traditions are Brunei’s cultural root, then Islam is its heart. The nation’s Malay Islamic Monarchy is a uniquely Bruneian blend combining the best of Malay culture with the teachings of Islam and a mutual respect between ruler and subjects. This national philosophy is aimed at forging a stronger sense of identity as well as fostering unity and stability, and it forms the backbone of Bruneian cultural identity.

The culture is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam, but is seen as more conservative than Malaysia. The borrowings and derivations of Brunei culture from these two religions are due mainly to the country’s historical links with the Hindu empire in the neighbouring regions of modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia.

One will find that Bruneian fare generally exudes a unique flavour of cultural fusion due to the influence of the various nations that have left their mark on Brunei’s culture. Arab, Indian and Chinese traders, European explorers and, of course, Malay and indigenous Bornean peoples have each introduced their own cooking styles and ingredients, adding to the masterful fusion that makes Brunei’s cuisine memorable.

Brunei is richly endowed with a cultural heritage that the government and the people have worked tirelessly to maintain. The nation‚ Arts and Handicraft Centre, for example, is a living testimony to the preservation and the proliferation of the arts and crafts for which Brunei was once renowned, including boat making, silversmithing, bronze tooling, weaving and basketry. Visitors will also find Malay weaponry, wood carvings, traditional games, traditional musical instruments, silat (the traditional art of self defence) and decorative items for women to be some of Brunei‚ most unique cultural offerings.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Brunei’s culture mainly derived from the Old Malay World, a territory which covered the Malay Archipelago

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Brunei's Adau Gayo celebration has huge tourism potential

By Sim Y H

With the country's rich heritage, Brunei Darussalam's cultural gatherings can potentially be turned into a product investment focussed on attracting tourists into the country.

One of the biggest local celebrations among the Dusun community, the Adau Gayo, suggested Special Duties Senior Officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs Awang Metussin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba, could be made into a significant yearly gathering in the country's calendar such as what is currently being practised by our neighbouring country where the Dusun community plays an integral role in enriching society's history.

The senior government officer explained that with proper management, organisation and fixed scheduling, the once-a-year event that takes place in the month of May to give thanks for the harvest season, can be transformed into an important event highly anticipated by the general population.

"We have an agency that can help in promoting these events should we decide to include it in the tourism calendar," he said in his speech during the opening of the Adau Gayo celebration in Kampong Bukit, Tutong, yesterday.

To achieve this ambition, Awang Metussin also highlighted that a bigger venue should be provided to accommodate a bigger crowd and, instead of carrying out the celebrations in different groups, organisers should consider having one major and all encompassing gathering with cooperation from the entire Dusun community.

"With the existence of such teamwork, we will be able to witness unity and understanding in the Dusun community that we wish to see whilst at the same time uplift our society's culture."

Confident that a bigger celebration would further strengthen relations among the Dusuns, the uniqueness of the culture, its tradition and way of life will be an attraction in itself and that its identity should be preserved and its heritage should be handed down to future generations to ensure its survival in a globalising world.

"In Brunei, the Adau Gayo celebration is observed by the Dusun community and many of them are in the Tutong District. This celebration is indicative that Adau Gayo does indeed belong to the Dusuns," he said.

"Therefore, it is a Dusun identity and as a community, Dusuns should be proud as each community is valued by the way its members are dressed, by their language and by their practice.

"We do not need to copy, need not follow and need not seek a new culture for our society because we already have one ... therefore, defend it, bequeath it to your children and grandchildren because the Dusun community is a community that is recognised as one of Brunei Darussalam's tribal identities," he added.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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Plans to make Kg Ayer as world cultural and natural heritage

By Azlan Othman

To further maintain and strengthen the national treasures, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the Museums Department plans to register Kg Ayer as a world cultural and natural heritage with Unesco and strives to rectify to the convention for Brunei to get expert's assistance to make it World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

This matter has been discussed with Attorney General's Chambers and presented to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

This was revealed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah when responding to YB Dato Paduka Awg Hj Idris bin Hj Abas queries on steps taken by the ministry to enhance Kg Ayer in the international arena.

The legacy of the memorial park found in Temburong to commemorate the struggle of locals who fought in the 1962 rebellion was also highlighted. YB Awg Hj Sulaiman bin Hj Ahad asked which department is responsible to maintain it. The minister in his reply, said such memorial park in Temburong is gazetted under historical artefacts and the treasures under the supervision of the Museums Department. It has been upgraded and improved and is now located near the boat wharf in Bangar.

YB Awg Hj Bakar bin Mansor asked whether any studies would be made on the Wasai found in this country and also asked to revive the legacy of Lela Menchanai in Kg Ayer.

The minister said it has also been taken into consideration by the History Centre and the Museums Department, adding that the historical studies are implemented based on genuine facts. Some legendary stories are not supported with facts but the Museums Department and History Centre welcome feedback from the public.

Meanwhile, YB Awg Hj Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad asked whether any steps were taken to revive the legendary Kuala Balai, which used to be the administrative centre in the early days.

Touching on the ministry's plan to introduce a reviewed Youth Act, there is no plan to do so, the minister said, highlighting on several laws currently put in place due to global issues affecting youths in relation to development, education, abuse, exploitation, health and protection. We have a youth policy outlining the way forward.

Meanwhile, the speaker said we should not wait for another year for respective ministers to answer the queries. The Legislative Council will forward the unanswered queries to them and the departments should also answer the queries during the current session.

On issues relating to poverty with 5,472 households being categorised as poor and needy were raised by several Legislative Council members again yesterday. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said attention is given to teenagers and youths who are categorised as poor and needy.

From the studies, it was found that something must be done in a practical manner to free these people from poverty such as giving them education. We would not just give financial assistance but help improve their environment in order to be free from poverty. The Ministry of Education opted for a way to tackle it in an integrated manner, by allocating them to school hostels. It would give them a better and conducive environment.

YB Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Goh King Chin, among others asked about the percentage of household members that are above 50, 40, 30 and 20 years old and living in poverty.

On the need to give allowance for social workers as raised by YB Hj Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad, the Minister said we must take into account the budget but claimed he has not heard any social workers asking for allowance. However, the matter will be analysed if needed.

Social workers are taken because we encourage youths to carry out community works. Their presence could be seen during disasters like floods where many youths come forward to conduct welfare works. If there is a need to add more social workers, we could do through other agencies like the village institution.

Touching on the issue on Youth Development Centre, the ministry is thinking about widening the course and expanding the target. The ministry plans to enhance the capacity building by providing training to youths to improve their status.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
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Kota Batu archaeological site tells of Brunei's advanced civilisation

By James Kon

The findings from the archaeological site of Kota Batu have revealed that the country had a higher and advanced civilisation that used stones to construct buildings.

The historical site has educational value for the younger generation to learn about the country's advanced civilisation and also has commercial value in attracting tourists.

Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair bin Hj Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, yesterday said this during a working visit to assess Kota Batu's archaeological site as it will be open to the public and tourists in the near future.

The minister spoke to the media during the presentation on the Kota Batu archaeological site by saying, "From the findings, we know that our ancient civilisation was able to construct buildings with stones. It shows that they belonged to an advanced civilisation."

"The site," he said, "will have a huge educational value for the younger generation to learn about the old civilisation and also has commercial value in drawing tourists once it's officially open for visitors."

The significance of the Kota Batu archaeological site was highlighted by Pengiran Dr Karim bin Pengiran Hj Osman, Acting Director of Brunei Museums in his presentation.

The acting director said, "The Kota Batu archaeological site situated near the Brunei Museum is an important site for the country because of its historical and archaeological value since the 14th century. The area also has an attractive natural environment and it's located close to the three major museums of the country.

"The 120-acre Kota Batu archaeological site is spread from the jetty of Brunei River to Kota Batu hill. The area is gazetted under the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act Amendment 2001."

The acting director described the significant historical value of Kota Batu by saying, "Kota Batu was the capital of old Brunei in the 14th to 17th century. It is believed that Kota Batu was open for trade during the reign of the first Sultan of Brunei who was the late Sultan Mohammad Shah (1360-1402). During the reign of Sultan Sharif Ali, a castle and a mosque were built with stones. While in the reign of fifth Sultan of Brunei, who was Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1524), the kingdom was at its peak whereby the area under Brunei comprised Borneo Island as well as south of Philippines.

"In the reign of Sultan Saiful Rizal (1533-1581), Brunei's seventh sultan, the late sultan ordered the start of coin smithing in Kota Batu. While under Sultan Shah, Brunei started its own factory to make cannons," he said.

Kota Batu also played a role as the centre of trade within and outside the country during ancient time. According to a Spanish report in the 16th century, the cosmopolitan capital had people from various races including from China, Siam, Cambodia, Indo-China, Philippines, Patani, Pahang, Jawa, Sumatra, Aceh, Muluku, Sulawesi and also Mindanao.

Pigafetta recorded that Brunei was a peaceful and prosperous country. The capital was big and had as many as 25,000 people. The royal palace was on land and very luxuriously decorated with silver, gold and precious stones.

He revealed that Kota Batu also experienced many good and bad times. Among them was the war against Spaniard intruders at the end of the 16th century when Pengiran Bendahara Sakam led a group of fighters to defeat the intruders in the Castille War in 1578.

Kota Batu also saw a civil war between Sultan Abd Mubin and Sultan Muhyiddin which lasted for 12 years that brought its downfall. It moved to Tumasik and then to the Water Village that stands now.

Pengiran Dr Karim also said, "The first excavation done in Kota Batu was in 1951/1952. The excavation was led by Tom Harrison on 417 plots that unearthed various artefacts and building structures. The success of the excavation encouraged the establishment of the Museums Department in 1965."

Under the eighth National Development Plan, $500,000 was used in Phase I to build pathway, bridges and information centre, as well as car park. A total of $11,963.17 was used for topo survey and soil investigation and $30,000 to bring in an expert consultant from Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Phase II, which has a budget of $2 million from the ninth National Development Plan, will see the construction of a pathway connecting to the old pathway, the construction of huts along the pathway, building of causeway, as well as a bridge connecting Pulau Terindak. The budget will also be used for the reconstruction of KBI, hut for KBII and also shelter for the old gravesite.

Pengiran Dr Karim also mentioned about building a site office, safety shelter, drainage system, signboard, zebra crossing, monorail, more walkways and others under the allocation in the 10th National Development Plan.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports also toured part of the Kota Batu archaeological site and made a number of suggestions for the pathway and walkway. He also advised the officials to make sure that the archaeological site will not sustain any damages from the influx of visitors when the site is open for visitors.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Hidden treasures of Temburong, Brunei

By Tony Alabastro

Temburong's Heritage Art and Cultural Gallery is housed in one of district's oldest buildings, a government office built in the 1950's.

Brunei's second smallest and least populated district is peopled by Muruts, Kedayan Malays and a handful of foreign overseas workers. With a 9,160 population as of Dec 2008, seven persons live per square kilometre in the 1,303 sq km district.

According to the cultural gallery, the Muruts, who named some of Temburong's hills, rivers and villages, came from the Indonesian tribes that migrated to Borneo a thousand years ago.

The Malay Kedayan helped in the spread of Islam in Temburong when they settled in 1916, after the first world war, in search of better life, worked in the rubber plants and sago industry in Batu Apoi.

Chinese tionghua came in the 1920s to work in Temburong's rubber plantations. More Chinese were imported from China, Malaysia, Singapore until the decline of the rubber plantations forced the sending back of the Chinese labour force. Those who stayed started small business and settled in the capital, Bangar, and in Puni, which now produces salted egg.

The best dishes in Temburong are udang galah (king fresh water prawn whose head is bigger than its body) and also known as Bruneian lobster; Wajid Temburong or pounded Temburong hill rice slowly cooked in palm sugar and coconut cream then tightly wrapped lengthwise in fresh green Nyirik leaves, and cendol Temburong, a dessert of pandan green starch noodles, palm sugar and coconut milk.

Temburong has nine longhouses, where immediate and extended families live together under one roof.

Team Philippines led by Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Alexander B Yano, a retired four-star general, finds these hidden treasures during a one-day-two-nights outreach programme in Brunei's second largest and least populated district, where seven persons live per square kilometre.

During a courtesy call, he tells Temburong District Officer Awang Matusin bin Otrang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba that Philippine technical cooperation to Brunei in rice production can be expanded to Temburong.

Laila padi has been planted in three areas, and 1,000 hectares near the border will be developed, says Awang Matusin. He says he is the first Temburong-born to be named district officer in the district where he was raised.

"For the past 50 to 70 years, the district officers came from Bandar Seri Begawan," says Awang Matusin, a former schoolteacher.

"The Filipinos in Temburong are well behaved and well-educated," the District Officer told the ambassador, and Armed Forces and Defence Attache Emmanuel Cacdac. They are accompanied by May Abrera, senior nurse at the PIHM Hospital, who has been in Brunei for 21 years, and the only remaining Filipino at the Sultan Hassan Secondary School, Elibeth Lamberte-Rombo, who has been teaching maths for 15 years. She is also an active officer of the 26-year-old Filipino Association in Brunei, which is older than the establishment of the Philippine Embassy.

Awang Matusin initiated the Excellence Village Award, which in 2005-2007, was won by the Belais dan Buda-Buda Village Consultative Council. The village has a tourism destination with a recreational park. Mushroom is cultivated and chicken are reared in farms there.

Other winners were the village consultative councils of Amo, known for its handicraft, and Sibut, where tourists go to the red water falls at Tasek Buluh Aie Merah, and dragon fruits are produced.

"Temburong is the only district implementing the one kampong one product concept" in its 17 kampongs, Awang Matusin says.

Juriani Udan, acting nursing officer, PIMM Hospital, member of tourist information centre, member of Persatuan Lun Bawang Murut Brunei, introduces Team Philippines to the homestay programme in Temburong.

Homestays are offered at the Iban longhouse along Jalan Batang Duri in Kg Sibut, Amo. Its facade is made of concrete following a fire that hit the place.

Salmah Ampiri, homestay chief coordinator, translator and emcee, says visitors can have a glimpse of Iban life and culture at the longhouse at along Jalan Batang Duri in Kg Sibut, Amo. The longhouse offers overnight stays, a day visit, cultural night, daily visits, handicrafts, Iban mock wedding, ngajat dance, Iban food like chicken cooked in bamboo, food wrapped in leaves, fishing, and visits around the village.

Visitors sleep on the open veranda on mattresses and pillows. They are served local vegetables like banana shoots and palm shoots. The evening activities include cooking with us, eating on the (ruai) veranda. Fishing on the river infront of the house costs $1 an hour. We use traditional fishing rods, using bread mixed with flour as bait, says Salmah.

In Kg Tanjong Bungar, the top rice producer in Temburong, is a 20-year-old longhouse occupied by 12 Iban families.

Rosalind Anak Jalak, weave pua kumbu, a traditional multicoloured cloth, using a handloom, in the wooden longhouse with satellite dishes and washed clothes hung outside to dry on the veranda in Kg Tanjong Bungar.

Mathews Ak Janlita, the son of ketua kampong Awang Janlita @ Jonlita Anak Mingan, entertains visitors and offers an Iban headdress for Ambassador Yano to wear.

At the end of Jalan Batang Duri waits the temuai, the 10 to 15-foot longboats, powered by 20-30 horsepower outboard motors, glide along the glass-smooth river to the interior at Ulu Temburong, Brunei's first national park.

If the water is shallow, the longboat's flat bottom scrapes the sandy and gravel-strewn river floor. Male passengers have to alight and push the vessel to the deeper part of the crystal-clear river.

Thick, green and undisturbed foliage grow robustly on both sides of the riverbanks. The man-made structures along the way are the Outward Bound Operations Centre, the National Forestry Park buildings, and the Brunei Darussalam Field Studies Centre near Kuala Belalong, where Brunei's lowland tropical forest is studied. A helipad and a concrete bridge are being constructed across the river at the end of the water journey and where the climb to the canopy walk above the trees tops starts.

Kindergarten teachers Ruvie T Lamberte and Lea V Tungala and Joyce, a beader and Alive supporter, and nurse Luisa Balgos make sure Team Philippines feel at home in Beth's Bangar residence, during the upriver river journey across 25 rapids, up the mountain and over the treetops.

From the Temburong riverbank starts the 385-metre wooden canopy walkway that leads to the foot of a 250-metre high aluminium canopy walkway. The ascent is higher than the 110-story Empire State Building in New York, once the tallest building in the world, at 381 metres.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Crown Prince opens Kg Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery

By Azlan Othman

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday officiated the launching of the latest tourism product in the country, the Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery (KACTG) managed by the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Yahya in his welcoming speech said Kampong Ayer is a "must see" attraction for the majority of tourists visiting Brunei, as it is the Sultanate's most unique 'treasure'.

He said the objectives of establishing the gallery are to revive the past glory of the water village so that it will not be made extinct by the rapid pace of modernisation, to revive the cottage industries of the villages to diversify the economy and add value to local economic activities, to create jobs and source of income for residents, to make the water village a unique tourist destination and to support the nation's aspiration to make tourism part of an effort to diversify the economy.

Most tourists, however, do not get a chance to know more about the background, history, traditions, society and arts and crafts of this unique settlement.

The Cultural and Tourism Gallery has therefore been built to remedy this situation. The gallery boasts a touch screen information display, which among others showcases information on other tourist attractions nearby.

The five galleries contain background information on Kg Ayer from its historical origins until its present day, as well as a number of photographs and artefacts loaned by the Museums Department to make the displays livelier.

The central hexagonal stage showcases a 'live' exhibition of the traditional manufacturing methods of the Bruneian brocade 'kain tenunan' or intricately hand-woven fabric with gold or silver metallic threads presented by the Women's Business Council while the Tourist Kiosk is managed by Pelangi De' Mutiara, a local souvenir proprietor.

Built in the style of a grand Kg Ayer house, and with a distinctive observation tower that gives visitors a bird's eye view of Kg Ayer and its surroundings, the Cultural and Tourism Gallery has become a new landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan, one that all Kampong Ayer residents can be proud of.

After officiating the launch, His Royal Highness was presented with a brief video presentation about the Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery. His Royal Highness was then given a tour of the galleries and facilities. The Crown Prince later signed a memorial plaque.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Brunei cultural treat for visiting Chinese tourists

Tourists enjoying the lion dance performance

A young tourist trying out the gulingtangan with the help of one of the musicians

Performers in a colourful traditional dance

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Brunei Press Sdn Bhd

By Syafiq Affendy

The first batch of around 200 tourists from China are in the country for two days, signalling the positive outcome of the nation's efforts in becoming one of the best tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

BonAsia Holiday Management Services, the travel agency that brought in these tourists, have arranged several colourful and exciting activities for the tourists during their stay in the country.

The group of tourists were entertained to a cultural show at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom, The Empire Hotel and Country Club on Tuesday night.

The Brunei Tourism Board supported the event by providing the cultural shows of traditional dances and gulingtangan group at the event, which attracted much attention from the tourists.

According to BonAsia Holiday, the tourists were also brought around the capital for a city tour, visiting popular tourist attractions like the Royal Regalia and the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.

The second batch of tourists arrived in the country last night.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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Common fabrics of Brunei Darussalam

By Johan Suhaimi

There are a variety of fabrics in Brunei Darussalam. The expensive ones are the Taung (fine silk), Satin Kina (Chinese silk satin), Kain Karang (line patterned fabric), Kain Kalang (chequered fabric), Kain Garimut (a kind of brocade from India) and so much more.

However these fabrics are imported and very expensive. The local ones are the woven fabrics of gold or silver, which are out of the reach of the common public.

The alternative are locally made fabrics which use techniques that have been tried and tested in the Brunei culture. In the past, the common colours were black, blue, brown, white and grey.

The fabrics for the mass public were coarse and stiff. But the barter trade infused with creativity, local technologies and the desire to own opulent fabric made it possible to own fabulous fabrics.

By the early 1950s, the opulence of Brunei Darussalam's economy permitted the public to afford fabrics of quality, which reduced creativity, and made as unnecessary need of making one's own fabrics. This marked the end of fabric colouring and the secret techniques designing the old styles.

The barter trade among Brunei's ethnic groups living along the river and the upland folks encouraged education, including obtaining colours from natural resources.

To obtain the latex, the beating of the banana stem produced rust red and deep brown colours. The ketapang tree bark produces a greenish colour. Turmeric gives the brightest to the faintest yellow colour. In experimentations, colours are mixed to obtain shades that are often uncategorised.

The local culture describes the orange colour as Pacah Talur (the broken egg yolk). The lighter shade is Kuning Muda (lighter yellow). Kuning tua means a darker yellow. These terms are applicable to all colours common in Brunei Darussalam.

The "Kain Pelangi" is a fabric decorated by stitched threads and then tied up. At times, a filling is inserted, forming a bulge inside the stitched fabric that produces an interesting, decorative effect. Banana leaves, mango leaves and fabric shreds produced different characters once the stitch is unraveled.

The hues used for this technique are in a variety of shades like the rainbow, thus the name Pelangi. The Pelangi fabric is usually cotton until the upper class saw it as something fine, thus creating the fabric from silk. The Pelangi fabrics are made in stages. Dipping the fabric in the colour vats takes a few days' work and effort before completing it into a wearable art.

The other way of decorating a plain fabric is by dipping it in a vat of yellow or red. This type of colouring is called Ubar (dipping).

The fabric using this technique was dampened before immersing it into the colour vat. This ensured an

even shade of colour all around the fabric. This fabric is dipped several times to get the lighter to the darker shades required.

The decoration of incorporated designs and patterns uses two materials to produce the Kain Cuai (carelessly decorated fabric). The fabric to be decorated is stretched on a frame that lay close to the floor. Usually this is done outside or under a porch. The creator would choose either clay or sago starch for decoration. The clay is taken from a termite's nest.

The patterns would be drawn using a "Kuas" (brush) made from plants. The design are usually big and stiff because mud or sago do not flow well. This is left to dry for a day. Then the colours are applied using a Churung (funnel). Colours would be absorbed more by the patterns made by the clay or sago and create a darker shade. The colours are applied in layers as required by the creator. The fabric is left to dry for a few days. The clay or sago would be scraped from the fabric.

The Kain Buruk-Buruk is one design not seen often in the Brunei Malay culture lately. This type of fabric decorating requires patience as the process is tedious and is only one done before weaving it. The threads to be made into the fabric are tied and dipped in dye. Unlike other type of weaving, pre-patterning is done on the threads before they go into the loom.

Both the horizontal and vertical fabrics are dyed this way. This type of fabric is known as Ikat Ganda or Ikat Dua. To beautify, metallic or coloured threads are laced between the designs of the fabric during weaving.

These types of fabric decorating are not restricted to small fabrics but are also applied to Tempisong Dastar (fabric for head gear), Sinjang (wrap round), Kain Sarung (tubular skirt), Selindang (Shawl), Arat (cummerbund), and even clothing.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend

Brunei new Tourism icon rising

By Jon Tampoi

The new Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Centre will be the latest landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan as it takes shape in the water village, with distinct Malay architectural elements incorporated.

It will house an exhibition set up by the Brunei Museum Department and display contemporary lifestyles, economic activities and handicrafts from different villages.

It will also have an observation tower and basic facilities to cater to foreign and domestic tourists. Attending a blessing ceremony yesterday were guest of honour the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah bin Hj Abd Wahab, the Permanent Secretary at MIPR Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Paduka Awg Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal, senior officers from MIPR and Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports as well as various government and tourism agencies.

The guest of honour led the blessing ceremony with the scattering of pandan leaves that was followed by other dignitaries.

A doa was recited and this was followed by a briefing and viewing of the plans and illustration of the complex by Architect Ghani.

The complex that is located at Kampong Lurong Si Kuna will proceed with its construction until its official opening in 2009 at a cost of BND3 million. This project is carried out by the Tourism Department.

With construction in progress, the blessing ceremony will enhance safe and successful completion of the project and adding to another of Brunei's attractions.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday