BRUNEI FLAG

Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Training Centre Logo are designed by Pg Hj Hasim bin Pg Hj Md Jadid. Umbrella symbolizes it was agreed by Sultan. Cannon symbolizes Brass Smiting. Bunga Air Mulih symbolizes Silver Smiting. Weaving Position symbolize the traditional technology use in weaving. Corak Berselang- Seli symbolizes traditional basket and mat making.

History
Brunei was trading with China during the 6th century, and, through allegiance to the Javanese Majapahit kingdom (13th to 15th century), it came under Hindu influence. In the early 15th century, with the decline of the Majapahit kingdom and widespread conversion to Islam, Brunei became an independent sultanate. It was a powerful state from the 16th to the 19th century, ruling over the northern part of Borneo and adjacent island chains. But Brunei fell into decay and lost Sarawak in 1841, becoming a British protectorate in 1888 and a British dependency in 1905. Japan occupied Brunei during World War II; it was liberated by Australia in 1945. The sultan regained control over internal affairs in 1959, but Britain retained responsibility for the state's defense and foreign affairs until 1984, when the sultanate became fully independent. Sultan Bolkiah was crowned in 1967 at the age of 22, succeeding his father, Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin, who had abdicated. During his reign, exploitation of the rich Seria oilfield had made the sultanate wealthy. Brunei has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia, and the sultan is believed to be one of the richest men in the world. In Aug. 1998, Oxfordeducated Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah was inaugurated as heir to the 500-year-old monarchy. Sultan Bolkiah began taking cautious steps toward democratic reform in Sept. 2004, when he reinstated Parliament for the first time since Brunei gained independence in 1984. He was widely praised in May 2005 when he fired four members of his cabinet, including the education minister, whose plan to expand religious education angered many parents.

Culture

The culture of Brunei is very similar to the Malay cultures. The culture is also influenced by the demographic makeup of the country: two-thirds of the population are Malay, and the remainder consists of Chinese, Indians and indigenous Malays such as Dayaks, Dusunsand Kedazans. As a Sharia country, the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned. Foreigners and non-Muslims are allowed to bring in 12 cans of beer and two bottles of other alcohol (e.g., wine or spirits, there being no distinction made for alcohol content). This limit used to apply to every entry; in 2007, however, this was changed to one limit every 48 hours. After the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close at 11:30 pm.

Traditions
Brunei Traditions reflects the customs and rituals followed by the Muslim population of the country. People belonging to other religions are allowed to follow their own traditions in Brunei. The lifestyle of the people centers on the traditions of Brunei. The Muslims of Brunei follow the Islamic law and the traditions of the Muslim population of Brunei are dictated by Islamic culture. The traditions of Brunei are also applicable to eating habits and it is customary for the people of Brunei to eat with their fingers rather than using fork and spoons. Food and Drink is generally accepted with right hand and while refusing anything when offered it is polite to touch the plate lightly with right hand. In any sort of social gathering, people of Brunei prefer to sit in floor with legs tucked to one side. During the Islamic month of Ramzan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusks. Food habits of the Brunei people are also very different and they follow some traditional way of cooking certain foods. Rice, Mutton, Fish and sweets form the staple food of Brunei. People in Brunei follow the traditional dressing. Women are dressed in bright colors and the attire usually covers them from head to toe. Men also prefer formal dressing both in workplace and in social gathering. Wedding ceremonies are also carried out by following true Brunei traditions. Thus the whole lifestyle of the Brunei people still rotates around the age-old Brunei traditions

Languages

Brunei Malay Bisaya Lun Bawang Iban

Penan Mukah Tutong Belait

People
A person from Brunei and/or a citizen of Brunei is called Bruneian.

Population 550,000 (July 2012 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Kedayan Malays (ethnic group) Dusun Tutong Belait Bisaya

Kedayan Malays (ethnic group) Dusun Tutong Belait Bisaya

Brunei Arts
Silver Work

Silver Smiting is the one of the best known handicrafts in Brunei, the ancient one, having been in existence in the country for centuries. According to stories the early silversmiths began their art around Kampung Pandai Mas (Goldsmiths' Village), one of the villages in Kampong Ayer (Water Village) where several other age-old crafts such as gold, copper, brass and bronze works, cloth-weaving, woodworking and cannon as well as other weapon-making were also practiced. Records have shown that these handicrafts were already flourishing at the height of the Brunei Empire in the 15th century and the first half of the 16th century. Weaving (Tenunan)

Kain Tenunan the fabled cloth of Gold Brocade is designed with intricate detail, hand

woven row by row with golden threads, worn as sarong during ceremonial occasion for centuries. Brunei Darussalam in particular is proud of her tradition in this ancient craft and produces some of the finest examples of woven material to be seen anywhere in the world. It is the skill that is passed through generation to generation; maybe it is the inherent patience and love of fine workmanship which Bruneians possess to produce such examples of exquisite beauty. Whatever the reason there s no doubt that to be owner of such gown or sarong is to be treasured and savored for life. This is well examplified. If a King is to be crowned what will he is wearing? If a man and woman decide to marry what will they both wear on this most important occasion? Both royalty and commoner alike will be proud to adorn their very best for such an occasion. Naturally the silver and golden thread - man's most expensive materials - will constitute a large part of looking and feeling good for these auspicious events.

Originated within the confines of Kampung Ayer.Apart from the indigenous Borneo tribes and nomadic hunters, the majority of Brunei's population lived on the waterfront. It was in their homes that the women. They probably exchanged patters and equipment, helped each other when difficulties arose and generally operated within a tightly knit cooperative. It was from this beginning that the art flourished and it is not difficult to see where the inspiration for the designs came from. Living in harmony with their natural beautiful surroundings and their deep faith in Islam inspired many of the designs, which have survived to this day. Thus the popular creations of yesteryears, incorporating nature's abundant source of idea such as leaves, local flowers as well as Islamic patterns, make up the majority of designs one can see today. The finished standard piece of cloth measures about 2.2 meters by 0.8 meters and can take anything from 10 to 15 days and sometimes even months to finish depending on the intricacy of the design and the speed at which the woman works. Kris making

Since time immemorial no weapon has been made renowned and revered in the Malay world as the kris. With its razor-sharp blade, which is usually wavy, the kris was in former times the favourite weapons of royalty and commoner alike. In the hands of a skilful exponent of pancak silat, the Malay art of self-defence, it was, and can still be, a deadly weapon in close combat. As recent as the beginning of the century, no man felt safe and secure leaving home without one tucked in his waistband, ready for the unexpected. Such confidence in the kris was a tradition made antiquated only by the passage of time.

The art of kris making will live on in Brunei Darussalam as it has been revived at the Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Training Center where young men and women formally undergo a three-year course. The kris may no longer be seen inside a man's waistband, except perhaps during ceremonies, but the awe and fascination for this extraordinary weapon will never cease. Wearing a headgear has always been part of the Bruneian male's dress since time immemorial. This was especially so in the old days when different headresses were worn,

which more often than not reflected the individuals' stations in life, both for formal and informal occassion. This of course, not the case today; except perhaps during rare ceremonial events. Songkok making

Generally the man's headgear in Brunei Darussalam can be categorised into three kinds: dastar which is a piece of cloth tied around the head; songkok or kopiah, a type of cap made from velvet; and tangkolok or serban, which resembles a turban and is a typical headdress in the Middle East. Malay craftsmen of that period started to improve on the original kopiah, which was somewhat round, and came out with a slightly oblong songkok with horizontal top. Their creation served as the model for songkok makers that followed and survived to this day, albeit with some modifications along the way such as sewing pieces of paper between the linings, which are always satin to make it sturdier. After a period of time the wearing of songkok became a tradition and synonymous with being a Malay. Thus a symbol was born. Gradually it replaced the dastar as part of the Malay's national dress on most formal occasion. Today, like other gears, the songkok comes in many colourful variations to suit individual tastes and styles. It is not, therefore, unusual for a man to have at least two different shades to go with his equally colourful national dress and other attire. Some men like to have their songkoks made to measure - even if it means that they have to pay a little bit more - so that they can incorporate their own innovations as well as select the type and colour of the velvet to mirror their individuality. Others, who are more economy minded, prefer to choose from the wide variety of ready-made songkoks available in many of the shops in town.

Songkok sales are normally high at the approach of Hari Raya, which is the festival celebrated to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, as parents upgrade not only their own wardrobes but also those of their children. Because of the religious significance of Hari Raya, the songkok is worn by practically everyone, young and old. The value of songkok-wearing are communicated to the young both at home and at school. An adult may not want to put the songkok on all the time but he will certainly wear it on various important occasions including religious activities and state functions. Naturally there are people who habitually wear the songkoks most of their waking hours. In former times such act was usually associated with piety but nowadays people put the songkok on merely out of a desire to fulfill traditional religious requirements or both. Some government servants are given songkoks with the appropriate decorations as part of their uniforms. Brass Making Brass particularly cannons indicate a long and prestigious history. To this day cannons indicate the persons wealth and status, eagerly collected by local Bruneians and sought after as a souvenirs by visitors. Ornaments and Musical instruments such as Gongs and Gamelon are still cast in an honoured tradition of apprenticeship, passed on from father to the son.

Beside that they also preserved the Tudung Dulang Making, It is a dish cover and Weaving such as basket, mats and etc and it became hobby (Traditional Art).

FOODS/ CUISINE

Bruneian cuisine is the cuisine of Brunei. It's similar to, and heavily influenced by the cuisine of neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with additional influences from India, China, Thailand, and Japan. As is common in the region, fish and rice are staple foods, though beef is expensive and thus less common. Due to the predominance of the Islamic religion, the food is halal and pork is avoided. Alcohol is banned in Brunei.[1] In rural areas, game animals such as wild birds, sambar deer, and barking deer are hunted.

Common foods and dishes

Dished from Brunei are often spicy, and are commonly eaten with either rice or noodles. Beef rendang, nasi lemak and puteri nanas, are popular foods in Brunei.[2] Among the few dishes peculiar to Brunei is ambuyat, a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch, which is wrapped around a bamboo fork and dipped into a sour fruit sauce. kuehor local delicacy ever made call Kueh Seri Muka. It is made from steamed glutinous rice and topped with a layer of coconut milk and eggs with sweet pandan leaves as the natural colouring. The kueh to be made on that day will be of 4 feet by 8 feet in size and weighs 50 kilogram. Kuih kosui is a saucer shaped rice cake flavored with pandan (screwpine leaves) juice. A lot of pandan is used to bring out the aroma of this kuih. A good kuih kosui is rich in pandan aroma and have a springy and soft texture. It is best eaten with freshly grated coconut. Kuih Bahulu is traditionally bruneian food, it will be served during the Hari Raya and Chinese New Year. The moulds were made from cast-iron with a lid, of which lighted charcoal will be on it. Baking is done by putting the mould over charcoal. Thank goodness for the oven, otherwise the younger generation will not be introduced to these food.

Landmarks

An island getaway takes on a royal spin when you steal away to exotic Borneo and the sultanate of Brunei. For more than six centuries the same dynasty has ruled over this country no larger than Delaware, where the oil revenue flows and the warm waters of the South China Sea lap at its shores. Bring an umbrella and a sense of adventure to explore the history of this tiny land.

Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman is Brunei's version of the White House, the official residence of the sultan. That's where the comparisons stop, as this palace is more about "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" than 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Nestled along the Brunei River just outside Bandar Seri Begawan, the towering spires of the palace let you know you're gazing on the largest residence anywhere in the world. With more than 2.1 million square feet of living space, the palace can have 4,000 guests to dinner at once -- and they're easily accommodated with 257 bathrooms. The garage fits 110 of the auto-loving sultan's most prized cars, and the ruler's 200 polo horses enjoy the same air conditioning in their stalls as the royal family enjoys in its 1,788 rooms. For three days each year -- Hari Raya Aidilfitri, at the end of Ramadan -- the palace opens to the public and welcomes visitors to the feast that marks the end of the Islamic fasting month.

Royal Regalia Museum

Centuries of rich history are gathered into landmark museums treasured by Bruneians. Centered in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, the Royal Regalia Museum was constructed to mark Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's 25th anniversary in 1992 and boasts crown jewels, a royal chariot and other trinkets of this wildly wealthy ruler. See a replica of the throne on which the sultan sits. Walk through the history of this dynasty in galleries dedicated to the sultan's 1968 coronation, the monarch's life and the history of Brunei from the early days of the royal succession to life as a British protectorate and independence in 1984.

Mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah

The golden age of Brunei in the early 16th century saw the sultanate's reach greater than at any other time in its history, with territorial claims stretching all the way to the Philippines. The fifth Sultan Bolkiah is credited with this growth, and his landmark mausoleum rests at onetime capital Kota Batu. The tomb was dinged by Spanish gunfire in the 17th century but stands proud as a symbol of the sultanate's heritage and craftsmanship of the day. Tombs of other leaders also surround the mausoleum, tucked into lush, green grounds.

Merimbum Lake
The largest black water lake in Brunei, Merimbum Lake was preserved as an ASEAN National Heritage Site in 1984. The lake isn't just a wildlife sanctuary for dozens of species from gibbons to butterflies, but a hub of the country's ethnic Dusun who have lived off the lake and the jungle for several centuries. The lake's shores are dotted with 15th century burial sites, and the rural escape is still just half an hour from the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Take a boat out to the minute island in the middle of the lake where a pavilion welcomes visitors who seek an original place for a picnic.

Musical Insruments

Gandang Sadaman Dombak Umpung, Suling, Gambus Sape

Modern Gulintangan (new version) Modern Drum Modern Flute Guitar