Brunei's Major Events: Cultural Calendar Highlights

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, has a rich history and culture that dates back to the 15th century when it was an Islamic sultanate in control of Borneo. Today, it is an independent nation with a diverse range of events and attractions. From art exhibitions showcasing 19th-century Orientalist art to international festivals celebrating Islamic calligraphy, there is much to explore and experience in this nation. Brunei also has a complex political history, having been a British protectorate and later, a dependency, before gaining independence in 1984. The nation has also faced international criticism and calls for boycotts over its harsh penal code and treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.

Faith & Devotion 19th-century Orientalist Art Exhibition

The 'Faith & Devotion 19th-century Orientalist Art Exhibition' in Brunei is a major event showcasing over 20 orientalist paintings by renowned 19th-century artists. The exhibition is being held at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and is open to visitors from 20 July 2024 to 30 January 2025. The gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm every Saturday to Thursday, remaining closed on Fridays.

The exhibition was launched by His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen, who presented tokens of appreciation to the sponsors and strategic partners, including BIBD as the Diamond Partner and Sotheby's as the Curation Partner. The lead curator, Claude Piening, Head of 19th-Century European Paintings in London, stated that the exhibition is the first of its kind in the country.

The exhibition features paintings by 19th-century artists who were influenced by the Orient, including present-day Turkey, Greece, the Middle East, and North Africa. While Europeans had minimal contact with the East before the 19th century, the French invasion of Egypt in 1798, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, sparked an increased Western interest in the region. Many artists, such as Eugène Delacroix, Jean-Léon Gérôme, and William Holman Hunt, travelled to the Near and Middle East, incorporating their experiences into their artwork.

The exhibition showcases a range of themes and styles, including scenes of military life, quiet domesticity, maternity, and religious piety. Some paintings also use an Orientalist setting to convey Christian themes, such as William Holman Hunt's "The Finding of the Savior in the Temple". Another popular subject was the harem, with artists such as Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres conjuring erotic ideals in their depictions of odalisques, or female slaves and concubines. These paintings reflected a Western imagination of the East, often populated with figures in exotic dress and opulent settings.

World Heart Day Brunei Run

The World Heart Day Brunei Run is an annual event held in conjunction with World Heart Day, which falls on the 29th of September. This year, the run took place on the 6th of October and was organised by Gleaneagles JPMC Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Health Promotion Centre. The event was attended by around 1,600 individuals and was also part of Bandarku Ceria.

The World Heart Day Brunei Run aims to promote heart health and raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health. The event featured a 10km open category run for both men and women, followed by an aerobics session and a 3km fun run. There was also a lucky draw with a grand prize of a treadmill, and a pavilion featuring exhibits on heart health and lifestyle programmes.

The theme of this year's World Heart Day was "Use Heart for Action," focusing on individual responsibility, community effort, and equal access to health. The Ministry of Health hopes that the Brunei Run will encourage people to stay active, make healthy choices, and take responsibility for their heart health.

The guest of honour for the event was the Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, who emphasised the importance of cardiovascular health and the role of individuals and the community in promoting heart health. The event also saw the attendance of the Chief Executive Officer of Gleaneagles JPMC, Dr Peter Tay Boon Chye, who highlighted the importance of early detection of cardiovascular diseases and the need for external campaigns and educational talks on heart health.

The World Heart Day Brunei Run is a significant event in Brunei, promoting health and wellness among the community and raising awareness about heart disease prevention and management. It provides an opportunity for individuals to come together and take action for their heart health, while also enjoying the fun and camaraderie of the run and other activities.

Bruneian history

The history of Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, can be divided into several key periods, from its early beginnings as a Buddhist kingdom to its later Islamic sultanate and eventual colonial rule. Here is an overview of the rich history of this Southeast Asian nation:

Early History

According to local historiography, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, who later became Sultan Muhammad Shah around AD 1400. He is said to have discovered Brunei when he moved from Garang in the Temburong District to the Brunei River estuary. The name "Brunei" is believed to be derived from his exclamation of "Baru nah" ("that's it!") upon his arrival. Before the rise of the Islamic Bruneian Empire under the Muslim Bolkiah dynasty, Brunei was ruled by Buddhists. One of the earliest Chinese records of an independent kingdom in Borneo dates back to a letter sent to the Chinese emperor in 977 AD from the ruler of Boni, which scholars believe refers to Borneo.

The Bruneian Empire

At its peak during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1528), the Bruneian Empire claimed control over most of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu archipelago and islands off the northwestern tip of Borneo. In the 16th century, Brunei became a Hashemite state when it allowed the Arab Emir of Mecca, Sharif Ali, to become its third sultan, marking its transition to an Islamic sultanate. The empire began to decline in the 19th century, ceding territories to European colonial powers.

Colonial Period

Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888, with a British resident assigned to manage colonial affairs in 1906. This period saw the discovery of oil in 1929, which would later become a significant source of wealth for the country. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, Brunei was occupied by Japanese forces. After the war, the British resumed control and established the British Military Administration (BMA) to govern the country.

Independence

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on January 1, 1984, under the leadership of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled since 1967. The country's constitution, established in 1959, declares Islam as the state religion and outlines a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. Brunei's wealth is largely derived from its petroleum and natural gas fields, contributing to its high ranking on the Human Development Index.

Oil industry

Brunei's economy is dominated by the oil and gas industries, which have fuelled the country's growth and development for the past 90 years. Oil was first discovered in the country in 1899 when the first exploration well was drilled near the capital, Brunei Town. However, it was the discovery of the Seria field in the Belait District in 1929 that marked the beginning of the country's oil industry. This led to a series of commercial discoveries, culminating in Brunei's first oil export in 1932.

Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) is the country's largest oil producer, contributing around 90% of Brunei's oil and gas revenues. The country's oil and gas fields produce approximately 127,000 barrels of oil per day and 243,000 barrels of oil equivalent of natural gas per day. The majority of the country's oil production is exported, with 91% of its oil production exported in 2016. Brunei hopes to increase production in the coming years, with new oil extraction technology and favourable market prices making it economically viable to extract oil from mature fields and new ventures into deep waters.

The petroleum industry, including the manufacture of liquefied natural gas (LNG), generates more than half of Brunei's GDP, although it employs a small portion of the labour force. The country's energy sector, which includes oil and gas, contributed 64.7% of the country's GDP in 2022. Nearly all of the country's petroleum and natural gas are produced from offshore fields, and almost all of the production is exported, mainly to other Asian countries. A local refinery supplies domestic needs, and the country's energy is generated almost entirely from fossil fuels.

Brunei holds 1,100,000,000 barrels of proven oil reserves as of 2016, ranking 39th in the world and accounting for about 0.1% of the world's total oil reserves. The country has proven reserves equivalent to 188 times its annual consumption, meaning that without net exports, there would be about 188 years of oil left at current consumption levels.

Legislative Council

Brunei's unicameral legislature is the Legislative Council. It is a consultative body, with all members appointed by the Sultan. The Legislative Council has no legislative power and is simply advisory.

The Legislative Council was established in 1959 when a new constitution was written, declaring Brunei a self-governing state. However, the UK retained responsibility for external affairs, security, and defence.

In 1962, the Legislative Council election results were annulled after the leftist Brunei People's Party, which sought to remove the Sultan from power, won all 10 elected seats in the 21-member council. The Sultan subsequently declared a state of emergency and ruled by decree.

The Legislative Council was disbanded in 1984 when Brunei became fully sovereign and independent. It was reopened in 2004 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, with 21 appointed members. The Sultan later amended the constitution to allow for the direct election of 15 members of the next parliament, but no poll date has been set.

Brunei's political system is governed by the constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB). The three components of MIB cover Malay culture, the Islamic religion, and the political framework under the monarchy. The country's legal system is based on English common law, although Islamic law (sharia) supersedes this in some cases.

The Sultan, currently Hassanal Bolkiah, is the head of state and holds full executive authority, including emergency powers. He also serves as the state's prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister.

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