The Faces Of Brunei: Exploring Asian Diversity

Brunei is a small country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is ethnically diverse, with a population of approximately 455,858 people, the majority of whom live in urban areas. The country's official language is Malay, and Islam is the state religion.

The population of Brunei is made up of several ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, indigenous peoples, and foreign workers. The Malays are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group, making up about 65-67% of the population. They are similar to the Malays in Malaysia and are descendants of people in the Philippines. The Chinese community makes up about 10-11% of the population, and indigenous peoples, including the Iban and Dusan tribes, account for about 3-4%. The remaining 20% of the population includes foreign labourers and people of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi descent.

The Bruneian Malays are a native Malay ethnic group and are a subgroup of the larger Malay population found in other parts of the Malay world, such as Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand. They have visible differences, especially in language and culture, but they follow the teachings of Islam.

The people of Brunei, or Bruneians, enjoy a high standard of living, with a per capita income of around $30,000 per year. The country has a youthful population, with over half under the age of 30, and a high net migration rate.

Malay is the official language of Brunei, with English widely spoken as a second language

The use of these two varieties of Malay can be described as diglossia, with Standard Malay taking the high role and Brunei Malay the low role. This means that while Standard Malay is used in more formal domains, Brunei Malay is used in casual, everyday communication. In fact, Brunei Malay is so dominant that it is replacing minority languages in the country, such as Dusun and Tutong.

English is also widely spoken in Brunei, with all educated people proficient in the language. This is due in part to the country's history as a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984, as well as the implementation of the Bilingual Education Policy in 1985, which made English the medium of instruction for most subjects from the fourth year of primary school onwards. English is used as a working language in business and is the language of instruction in schools and universities. It is also used in official documents, with all documents published by law in Malay required to be issued in an official English version as well.

The variety of English spoken in Brunei, known as Brunei English, has some distinct features. For example, the TH sound at the start of words like "thin" and "think" is often pronounced as [t]. Additionally, there is usually a full vowel sound in function words like "of" and "that," instead of the reduced vowel sound [ə]. Brunei English also borrows many words from Malay to reflect local customs, such as "tudah" (a headscarf) and "kueh" (a local cake).

Bruneians are predominantly Malay, with significant Chinese, Indian and indigenous populations

Brunei is a Malay-majority country, with 65.7% of the population identifying as Malay according to the CIA World Factbook's 2016 data. However, it is worth noting that the term "Malay" in Brunei encompasses several indigenous groups, including Brunei, Tutong, Belait, Dusun, Murut, Kedayan, and Bisaya. These indigenous groups are referred to as "rakyat jati," which translates to "indigenous citizens." Being recognised as such comes with benefits and opportunities that non-indigenous citizens may not have, such as access to the Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati, a public housing scheme that provides land and homes.

The second-largest ethnic group in Brunei is the Chinese, who made up 10.3% of the population as of 2019. The Hokkien are the largest Chinese subgroup, with origins in Kinmen and Xiamen in China. The Hakka and Cantonese represent a minority of the Chinese population. The Chinese community in Brunei has historically been drawn to the country due to trade and employment opportunities, particularly in the business sector.

Indians in Brunei consist of Bruneians of Indian descent and expatriate professionals. According to the Government of India, there are 10,000 Indians living and working in the country, with a notable presence in professions such as medicine, engineering, education, IT, oil and gas, and mercantile. Ethnic Tamils form the majority group among Indians in Brunei, and the dominant religion is Islam, followed by Hinduism.

While the above-mentioned groups make up a significant portion of Brunei's population, it is important to acknowledge that the country's demographic landscape is diverse and includes other ethnic groups and indigenous tribes.

Islam is the official religion of Brunei, with around two-thirds of the population practising the faith

Brunei's culture is deeply rooted in its Malay origins, which are reflected in the nation's language, architecture, ceremonies and customs governing daily life. The traditions of the Old Malay World have left an indelible mark on the culture of modern Brunei. The national philosophy, Malay Islamic Monarchy, combines Malay culture with the teachings of Islam and a mutual respect between ruler and subjects. This philosophy aims to foster a stronger sense of identity, unity and stability, forming the backbone of Bruneian cultural identity.

The people of Brunei are called Bruneians. They enjoy a high standard of living, with a per capita income of around $30,000 per year. The population is growing at a rate of 1.6% per year, with a life expectancy of 74 years. About 30% of Bruneians are under 15, and 3% are over 60. The population is predominantly urban, with 73% living in urban areas.

In terms of ethnic makeup, Malays make up 65.7% of the population, while Chinese people make up 10.3%, indigenous people 3.4%, and other groups 20.6%. There are also about 25,000 Iban and Dusan tribal people living in the rainforests. Additionally, there are some Indians, as well as foreign labourers from various countries.

While Islam is the official religion, Brunei allows for the practice of other religions and beliefs. The country has a sizeable Christian and Buddhist community, with most Christians being Chinese. There are also an estimated 30,000 Filipino citizens in Brunei, many of whom are Catholic. Freedom of religion is guaranteed, although it is limited in certain cases. For example, religious education is controlled, even in Chinese, Christian and private schools, and the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials is forbidden.

The state madh'hab of Islam in Brunei is the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence of Sunni Islam, with most of the Muslim population following this school. The Shafi'i school is also a major source of law for the country. However, with the Sultan's permission, lawmakers may consult the other three Sunni schools of fiqh.

The level of religious zeal varies in Brunei, with Muslims in urban areas tending to be more liberal and Westernised than those in rural areas. While extremely conservative Islam is not strong in the country, Islamic influences form a central foundation of the nation's heritage. This is evident in the ubiquitous mosques, tile mosaics, Jawi script, religious texts, and even foods and cooking styles.

Brunei has a peaceful Muslim society, brought together under the Shafi'i school of Fiqh and the philosophy of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah, promoted by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III. The country's aspiration to become a "Negara Zikir" is made possible by this togetherness.

Bruneian culture is hierarchical, with age and position revered

Brunei is a hierarchical culture, with age and position revered. The family is the focal point of Bruneian society, and this family unit is an extended one, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends. Members of the extended family are expected to remain loyal to one another, and 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. This loyalty and respect for family elders contributes to the hierarchical nature of Bruneian culture.

The role of 'face', shame, and honour is crucial to Bruneians, and this also reinforces the hierarchical nature of the culture. 'Face' refers to the importance of maintaining a positive public image and avoiding embarrassment or causing issues that could jeopardise one's reputation. To maintain face, Bruneians tend to communicate in an indirect and ambiguous manner, which may be surprising to those from cultures where direct communication is the norm. This indirect communication style helps to avoid embarrassing others or causing them to 'lose face'.

Bruneians also place a high value on group harmony and tend to avoid expressing emotions like impatience, anger, or irritation, as these could lead to disharmony and a loss of face. They are very polite and well-mannered, and it is considered disrespectful and rude to stare into the eyes of someone senior to you in age or status. This respect for elders further emphasises the hierarchical nature of the culture, where age and position are revered.

In business, hierarchy is also important. Greeting protocols reflect this, with older businesspeople greeted before younger ones. Titles are also significant and can be quite lengthy, indicating connections to the royal family or other honourifics. Business communication is formal and respectful, especially towards those senior in age or position.

The Bruneian culture's reverence for age and position is also evident in their gift-giving etiquette. When invited to a Bruneian home, it is customary to bring gifts such as good quality chocolates or fruit, and these gifts are offered with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large. This practice of using the right hand is also seen in dining etiquette, where it is considered rude to eat or pass food with the left hand, as it is considered unclean.

Bruneians are proud of their royal heritage, with criticism of the Royal House punishable by jail time

Brunei is one of only two absolute monarchies left in Asia, with the Sultan of Brunei serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The Sultan is a direct descendant of a centuries-old royal line, maintained by intermarriage among cousins. The current Sultan, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is the 29th ruler in a family line that dates back to 1405.

Bruneians are proud of their centuries-old royal heritage and the fact that they are the only remaining Malay Islamic Monarchy in the world. This pride is reflected in the national philosophy of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), which combines Islamic law, Malay culture, and monarchical rule. The Sultan is revered and respected by the people, and criticism of the Royal House can lead to jail time. Lèse-majesté laws are in place, and any insults or disclosure of information about the royal family's wealth is punishable. The media is restricted and monitored, and journalists can face jail time for reporting "false and malicious" news.

The Sultan wields significant power and influence in the country, holding multiple roles, including Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Defence Minister, and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The monarchy is central to the country's governance, with the Sultan appointing all directors to the Brunei Investment Agency, the government's investment arm. The Sultan's birthday on July 15th is a significant event in the national calendar, marked by festivals, parades, and the release of prison inmates.

While the monarchy leaves little room for civic involvement, there have been instances of public dissent and increasing civic participation. The Sultan is often viewed as a defender of the people and is responsive to their needs, as seen in the case of the Tamu Kianggeh market relocation, where he intervened to protect the interests of the vendors.

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