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Bruneians are predominantly
Malay, and customs, beliefs and pastimes are
very similar to those of Peninsular Malaysia.
Adat, or customary law, governs many of the
country's ceremonies; there is even a government
department responsible for preserving ceremony
and advising on protocol, dress and heraldry.
Brunei is a fairly strict Muslim country and a
Ministry of Religious Affairs fosters and
promotes Islam. The constitution does, however,
allow for other religions to be practised.
The official language is Malay, but English is
widely spoken. Jawi, Malay written in Arabic
script, is taught in schools, and most signs in
the country are written both in Jawi and Roman
script.
During the height of the Brunei sultanates,
brass and silver artisans produced finely
designed brass gongs, cannons and |
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household vessels. They were often
embossed with designs of serpents and animals or verses
from the Koran. Many crafts failed to survive the
decline of the sultanate, but silverwork and weaving are
two traditional crafts that have been preserved.
Brunei's culture mainly derived from the Old Malay
World, which encompassed the Malay Archipelago and from
this stemmed what is known as the Malay Civilisation.
Based on historical facts, various cultural elements and
foreign civilisations had a hand in influencing the
culture of this country. Thus, the influence of culture
can be traced to four dominating periods of animism,
Hinduism, Islam and the West. However, it was Islam that
managed to wound its roots deeply into the culture of
Brunei hence it became a way of life and adopted as the
state's ideology and philosophy.
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Brunei Darussalam is richly
endowed with cultural heritage steadfastly
maintained until today. The setting up of the
Arts and Handicraft Centre in 1975 is a living
testimony as to the preservation and the
proliferation of the arts and crafts of the
bygone days which Brunei was renown for such as
boat making, silver-smithing, bronze tooling,
cloth weaving as well as mat and basket weaving.
Relics and other various artistic heritage of
Brunei Darussalam besides the ones mentioned
above include Malay weaponry, wood carvings,
traditional games, traditional musical
instruments, 'silat' (the traditional art of
self defence) and decorative items for women.
Some of these are kept in the Brunei Museum and
the Malay Technology Museum; not only for the
world to see but most importantly for today's
generation to admire and be proud of, for future
generation to emulate, perhaps and something to
remind us of our forefather's natural skill,
creativity and innovativeness which over
generations has been ingrained as one of the
richest |
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traditional culture in the Malay world.
The life of the average Bruneian revolves around his
religion, Islam, with certain things being forbidden (haram),
certain things tolerated but not encouraged (makruh) and
certain things which fall under the embrace of Islam (halal).
Pork, the consumption of alcohol, eating meat not
slaughtered under Islamic guidance, casual touching,
adultery, and coming into contact with the wet nose or
hair of a dog are baram. Smoking and eating shellfish
are considered makruh.
Bruneians shake hands by only lightly touching hands and
then bringing the hand back to the chest; it is not
customary to shake hands with members of the opposite
sex. You should not point your finger, instead use the
thumb of your right hand with the four fingers folded
beneath it.
To call a taxi or attract someone's attention, wave the
whole hand with the palm facing down wards. Do not smack
the fist of your right hand into your left palm, because
it has a different meaning in Brunei to that of Western
countries. When visiting a mosque, you should always
remove your shoes first and you should not pass in front
of a person at prayer or touch the Koran. Women should
cover their heads and not have their knees or arms
exposed. Gifts and particularly food should only be
passed with the right hand, although it is acceptable to
use the left hand under the right wrist for support.
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