Exploring Human Interactions In Brunei's Cultural Context

Brunei is a small country in Southeast Asia, with a population of around 450,000. The country is an Islamic absolute monarchy, with the Sultan of Brunei as its head of state. The official language of Brunei is Malay, although English is widely spoken and used in business and education. The country has a very high standard of living, with no income tax, and free healthcare and education for its citizens.

Brunei has a strict set of laws and a conservative culture, with the Sultan and Islam at its centre. The country has implemented Sharia law, which has been criticised by human rights organisations. Despite this, the people of Brunei are described as very polite, friendly, and respectful. The family is revered in Bruneian society, and children are taught to respect their elders.

Brunei has a rich history, having once been the seat of the Malay Empire. The country is very multicultural, with a Malay majority, and large Chinese and indigenous minorities. The country's cuisine is heavily influenced by its Southeast Asian neighbours, and its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is known for its beautiful mosques.

Greeting customs

When greeting someone senior to you in age or position, it is respectful to bow your head. It is considered rude to stare into the eyes of someone senior to you in age or status.

In a business context, greetings should be formal and demonstrate respect. Handshakes tend to be light, and Bruneian men often raise their hand to their heart after shaking hands. Most Bruneians do not shake hands with members of the opposite sex. Foreign businesswomen should nod their head in greeting, and foreign businessmen should wait to see if a Bruneian woman extends her hand first.

Religion and beliefs

The official religion of Brunei is the Shafi'i school of Sunni Islam, with the country's constitution stating that all other religions may be practised "in peace and harmony". Brunei is a Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy, with the Sultan as the head of the official religion. The country's national philosophy, Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), or Malay Islamic Monarchy, combines Malay culture, the teachings of Islam, and respect for the monarchy.

Religious Demography

The population of Brunei is approximately 478,054 (mid-2022 estimate). The 2021 census showed that 82.1% of the population is Muslim, 8.7% Christian, 7% Buddhist, and 4.7% following other religions, including indigenous beliefs.

The ethnic Malay citizens, who make up 65.7% of the population, are defined by law as Muslims. The ethnic Chinese population, which is around 9.4%, is 65% Buddhist and 20% Christian. Indigenous tribes, such as the Dusun, Bisaya, Murut, and Iban, make up around 4% of the population and are estimated to be 50% Muslim, 15% Christian, and the rest followers of other religions, including traditional spiritual practices.

Religious Freedom

While the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the government has placed restrictions on the practice of non-Islamic beliefs, specifically on groups it considers "deviant", such as Jehovah's Witnesses and the Baháʼí Faith. The distribution of non-Islamic religious materials is illegal and punishable by death. Religious education is also controlled, even in non-Muslim schools.

Non-Muslims face social pressure to conform to Islamic guidelines, and Islamic authorities organize proselytizing activities to propagate Islam. The law discourages Muslims from learning about other faiths. Conversion from Islam is extremely difficult, and Muslims who wish to convert face official and societal pressure not to.

Religious Law

Brunei has a dual legal system, with one secular and one Shariah. Shariah law is legally enforceable only with Bruneian Muslims, but the Syariah Penal Code Order of 2013 has blurred the lines between the two systems. The Penal Code states that offences such as apostasy and blasphemy are punishable by corporal and capital punishment, including stoning to death, amputation, or caning.

Religious Practices

Muslims must pray five times a day and attend mosque on Fridays. During the holy month of Ramadan, government staff work a six-hour day, and entertainment and sports activities are suspended.

Brunei's society is hierarchical, with age and position revered. Bruneians are very polite and well-mannered, with a strong focus on maintaining "face" or honour. They are indirect communicators, aiming to avoid embarrassing others or causing them to lose face.

Superstitions and Ghosts

Malay people have a strong interest in stories of ghosts and spirits, which are seen as sharing the plane of existence with humans and not always considered evil. The most famous Malay ghost is the pontianak, the ghost of a female stillborn child, which lures men in the form of a beautiful woman.

The role of the family

Family is the focal point of the social structure in Brunei. The Bruneian family is an extended family that includes aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. Members of the extended family are expected to remain loyal to each other and the family. Children are taught from a young age to subjugate their own desires for the good of the family and to respect their elders without question. They are also taught that it is through family support that they will accomplish their goals.

As a result of the importance of family, Brunei is a hierarchical culture that reveres age and position. The role of face, shame, and honour is crucial to Bruneians, and they are very polite and well-mannered. They place great importance on maintaining face and avoiding causing issues or problems that could jeopardise their reputation. To maintain face, their communication style is very indirect and can come across as ambiguous to those from cultures where direct communication is the norm. By being indirect, Bruneians avoid embarrassing others, which would cause them to lose face.

Bruneians find emotions such as impatience, anger, or irritation embarrassing and try to avoid them, as expressing them could result in a loss of face and disharmony. This emphasis on maintaining face and avoiding conflict also extends to their business culture and etiquette. Greetings are formal and demonstrate respect and deference, with titles being very important. Communication is indirect and ambiguous to avoid embarrassing someone or causing either party to lose face.

Brunei's cuisine

Bruneian cuisine typically includes rice or noodles, with a protein source of fish, chicken or beef. Coconut milk and chilli are also commonly used to add flavour. Dishes are often fried and can be quite spicy compared to Western cuisine. All food served and sold in Brunei is halal, and pork and alcohol are generally unavailable due to the prevalence of the Islamic faith.

• Ambuyat: Brunei's national dish, ambuyat, is a flavourless starchy substance made from the interior of the sago palm tree, resembling tapioca starch. It is typically eaten with a bamboo utensil called a "chandas" and dipped into a spicy and sour gravy called "cacah".
• Nasi Katok: Considered Brunei's national fast food, nasi katok consists of plain rice, fried chicken, and sambal, a spicy relish made from ground chilli peppers and various other ingredients. It is often served wrapped in brown paper and is a cheap and readily available meal.
• Beef Rendang: A slow-cooked beef stew, commonly served with other dishes such as ikan goreng (fried fish) and vegetables.
• Nasi Lemak: Rice cooked in coconut milk, served with fried chicken, sambal, and peanuts. It is usually accompanied by egg and cucumber.
• Soto: A bowl of slow-cooked soup with noodles of your choice and topped with scallions and egg. It can include various types of meat, such as beef lungs or chicken.
• Satay: Grilled skewered meat, a popular street food in Brunei, ranging from chicken, lamb, beef, and even rabbit. It is often served with a classic peanut sauce.
• Pulut Panggang: A snack made of steamed glutinous rice and a spicy sambal filling, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. It is commonly enjoyed during breakfast or tea time.
• Bamboo Chicken: A dish made by stuffing marinated chicken and various spices into bamboo poles, then shut with bamboo leaves. It is typically served with rice or bread.
• Kelupis: A mini snack or dessert made with rice, coconut milk, and pandan leaves, wrapped in Daun Nyirik leaves and steamed. It is commonly served at wedding receptions.
• Hati Buyah: Beef lungs that are marinated and stir-fried, often served with ambuyat or as a topping for meat in soto.
• Ais Batu Campur (ABC): A dessert mirroring those found in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, made with shaved ice, sago pearls, red beans, grass jelly, and corn. It is often drizzled with syrup for a sweet touch.

Brunei's language

Brunei is a melting pot of international languages due to its rich history, which includes being the seat of the Malay Empire and the subject of European invasions. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, which came into force on 29 September 1959 with the signing of the 1959 Constitution. Malay is also specified as the national language in the 1959 Constitution and its central role in the country is reinforced in the national philosophy of an "Islamic Malay Monarchy".

The local dialect, Brunei Malay, is the most widely spoken language in the country, with about 266,000 speakers. It is quite distinct from Standard Malay, with only about 84% of its words being cognate with the official language. However, it is mutually intelligible with Standard Malay. In terms of pronunciation, Standard Brunei Malay shares more phonetic features with Indonesian than Malaysian Malay, including rhoticity (e.g. [r] at the end of words) and a lack of final schwa ( [a] instead of [ə] at the end of words).

English is also widely used as a business and working language in Brunei, and it is the language of instruction in secondary and tertiary education. It is spoken by a majority of the population, though some may only have a rudimentary knowledge of the language. English is also the language used in courts and all official documents are reproduced in English. The bilingual system of education was introduced in 1985, and since 2008, maths and science have been taught in English from the start of primary school.

Other languages spoken in Brunei include Chinese, Indian, and native languages spoken by the minority ethnic groups. The Chinese minority in Brunei speaks a number of Chinese varieties, including Hokkien, Cantonese, and Hakka. Mandarin is the language of instruction in some Chinese schools and is used as the lingua franca among the Chinese community. Arabic is the religious language of Muslims and is used by Islamic scholars. It is taught in schools, particularly religious schools, and all Muslim children are required by law to attend a Religious School for three hours five days a week from ages 7 to 15.

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