The Malay Heritage Of Brunei's People

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and nearly two-thirds of the population is classified as Malay. This category includes not only ethnic Malays but also several indigenous peoples, such as the Dusun, Belait, Kedayan, Murut, and Bisaya. The Bruneian Malays are a subgroup of the larger ethnic Malay population found in other parts of the Malay world, such as Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. The Brunei Malay language, also known as the Bruneian Malay language, is the most widely spoken language in Brunei and a lingua franca in some parts of Sarawak and Sabah.

The Brunei Malay language is the most widely spoken language in Brunei

The Brunei Malay language, also known as the Bruneian Malay language, is the most widely spoken language in Brunei. It is the principal spoken language, used by about 266,000 people, and is the socially dominant language in the country. Brunei Malay is also a lingua franca in some parts of East Malaysia, including the Federal Territory of Labuan, the districts of Limbang and Lawas (Sarawak), and the districts of Sipitang, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, and Papar (Sabah).

Although Standard Malay is the official national language of Brunei, Brunei Malay is used in daily communication and coexists with regional languages and Malay creoles. Standard Malay is generally used in more formal contexts, such as teaching and official speeches, and in formal writing. However, code-switching between the two varieties of Malay is common in informal speech.

Brunei Malay is quite distinct from Standard Malay in its phonology and vocabulary. For example, the word for "forest" in Standard Malay is "hutan," but in Brunei Malay, it becomes "utan" due to the absence of the sound /h/ in initial word positions. Additionally, Brunei Malay has a three-vowel system: /i/, /a/, and /u/, whereas Standard Malay has six vowels.

The Brunei Malay language is closely associated with the numerically and politically dominant Brunei people, who traditionally lived on water. It is estimated that 94% of the words in Brunei Malay and the Kedayan dialect are lexically related. The Kedayan dialect, on the other hand, is used by land-dwelling farmers. Another dialect, the Kampong Ayer, is used by the inhabitants of the river north of the capital.

The language of Brunei Malay has been documented and studied by several western explorers and scholars throughout history, contributing to our understanding of its unique characteristics and its role in the country's culture and communication.

Standard Malay is the official national language of Brunei

Standard Malay is similar to the standard varieties promoted in Malaysia and Indonesia, which are based on the Malaccan dialect. However, Standard Malay used in Brunei tends to share more phonetic features with Indonesian, such as rhoticity and a lack of final schwa.

While Standard Malay is the official language, the local dialect, Brunei Malay, is the most widely spoken language in the country. It is used by the numerically and politically dominant Brunei people, who traditionally lived on water. Brunei Malay is socially dominant and is currently replacing the minority languages of Brunei, including Dusun and Tutong. It is also used as a lingua franca in some parts of Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia.

Brunei Malay and Standard Malay coexist in a form of diglossia, where Standard Malay is used in formal domains such as teaching and official speeches, while Brunei Malay is used in informal settings like conversations between friends and in local shops. Code-switching between the two varieties is common in informal speech.

The use of English is also widespread in Brunei, particularly in business and education. It is the language of instruction in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, and it is spoken by a majority of the population. English is also the language of the courts, although code-switching between English and Malay is common in legal settings.

The Bruneian Malays are a subgroup of the larger ethnic Malay population

The Bruneian Malays are a native Malay ethnic group that lives in Brunei, the federal territory of Labuan, the southwestern coast of Sabah, and the northern parts of Sarawak. They are a subgroup of the larger ethnic Malay population found in other parts of the Malay world, namely Peninsular Malaysia and the central and southern areas of Sarawak, including neighbouring lands such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Southern Thailand.

The Bruneian Malays are ethnically related to the Malays in these other regions and follow the teachings of Islam. However, they have visible differences, especially in language and culture. The Bruneian Malay language, also called the Bruneian language, is the most widely spoken language in Brunei and a lingua franca in some parts of Sarawak and Sabah. While Standard Malay is promoted as the official national language of Brunei, Bruneian Malay is socially dominant and is currently replacing the minority languages of Brunei.

The Bruneian Malays have their own distinct culture and traditions, including their own official national dish, Ambuyat, and a variety of snacks such as lamban and punjung. The main song and dance performed by this ethnic group in both Brunei and Malaysia is the Adai-adai, traditionally sung by Bruneian fishermen.

The earliest recorded documentation of Brunei by the West is by an Italian known as Ludovico di Varthema, who noted that the "Bruneian people have fairer skin than the peoples he met in the Maluku Islands". The Bruneian Malays are believed to have historical links with the Chinese mainland due to their historical sources' dependence on Chinese support. While the origin of the old Brunei kingdom is still a subject of research, some sources state that the Malays of Brunei came from Yunnan and the Formosa Island (now Taiwan) and settled on the coastal Borneo before expanding into Sumatra and Indochina countries.

The Brunei Kingdom was founded in the 14th century by the first Sultan, Alak Batatar

The Brunei Kingdom, officially known as the Sultanate of Brunei, was founded in the 14th century by the first Sultan, Alak Batatar, also known as Muhammad Shah. The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state and serves as the prime minister of the country.

Sultan Muhammad Shah established the Sultanate of Brunei and ruled as its first Sultan from 1368 until his death in 1402. Born as Awangku Alak Betatar, he had 13 siblings, and his father was Dewa Emas Kayangan. Before ascending to the throne, Sultan Muhammad Shah ruled as Raja Awang Alak Betatar. He converted to Islam in the 14th century and assumed the name Sultan Muhammad Shah, marking a significant shift from a Hindu-Buddhist monarchy to an Islamic sultanate.

Under his rule, Brunei expanded its territories by seizing land from the declining Majapahit Empire and subduing local vassals. He established a new administrative centre near the Brunei River, which enhanced his control over the region. His conversion to Islam was motivated by a marriage alliance with the Sultan of Johor, and he also engaged in diplomatic relations with Ming China.

The genealogy of Sultan Muhammad Shah remains unclear, and there are differing accounts of his early life and succession. According to some sources, he had multiple wives and children through his marriages in different villages during his father's journey. He was crowned despite not being the firstborn prince due to his charming and attractive personality.

The current state of Brunei was formed by Sultan Muhammad Shah with the help of his brothers. Before establishing the colony near the Brunei River, he founded a new village in Negeri Garang in the current Temburong District. He then moved to Brunei on the waters around Kota Batu as it was a more suitable centre of administration. The location of Kota Batu near a river enabled him to control the rural areas and expand his political influence.

Sultan Muhammad Shah's reign marked a pivotal moment in Brunei's history, transforming it from a Hindu-Buddhist monarchy to an Islamic sultanate and laying the foundation for the country's future expansion and development.

Brunei is an Islamic State with Islam as its state religion

Brunei is an Islamic state with Islam as its official religion. The country's constitution states that the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam is the official religion, and while all other religions may be practised "in peace and harmony", Islam is central to the country's governance and society.

The Sultan of Brunei is not only the head of state and Prime Minister but also the leader of the Islamic faith in the country. The Sultan derives his authority and legitimacy from Islam, and his role as the protector of the religion was strengthened during the period of British colonialism. The Sultan's position is protected by law; neglecting, exhibiting contempt, or criticising the Sultan is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

The propagation of non-Sunni forms of Islam, such as Wahhabism, is forbidden in Brunei, and there is a complete ban on Shia Islam. The country's Islamic Religious Council advises the Sultan on all matters relating to Islam, and the Sultan may make laws regarding the practice of Islam after consulting the Council. The country's legal system reflects this, with a parallel system of secular and sharia courts, the latter of which has seen an increased focus in recent years with the implementation of the Syariah Penal Code Order.

The majority of Brunei's population is Muslim, with estimates ranging from 66% to 82.7%. Islam has a long history in Brunei, dating back to the 10th century when it was introduced by traders from Persia, Arabia, China, and the Indian subcontinent. The country's first Islamic monarch, Sultan Muhammad Shah, converted to Islam in the late 14th century, and Brunei had solidified Islam as the state religion by the 16th century.

The influence of Islam in Brunei is evident in various aspects of daily life. For example, alcohol is banned, and there are strict laws governing behaviour during the fasting month of Ramadan. The country's national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy, emphasises the importance of Islam in daily life and governance. The MIB philosophy is taught in schools, and the government has worked to integrate it into the nation's laws and policies.

Brunei's stability and wealth, largely derived from its oil and gas resources, have been linked to its focus on Islam. The country experienced a recession from 2012 to 2016 and has faced a decline in oil prices and reserves, which has been accompanied by increased attention to Islam and efforts to expand and tighten Islamic law.

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