Uncover The Hidden Gems Of Bruneian Culture

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia on the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. It has a population of around 455,858, with approximately 180,000 people living in the capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan. The official language of Brunei is Malay, and the state religion is Islam, although other religions are tolerated. The country has one of the world's highest standards of living due to its bountiful oil and gas reserves, and its citizens pay no income tax.

Brunei is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo, with the remainder of the island divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei has a population of approximately 455,858 as of 2023, with around 180,000 people living in the capital and largest city, Bandar Seri Begawan. Malay is the official language, and Islam is the state religion. The government of Brunei is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, who also serves as the country's prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister.

Brunei has a long history dating back to ancient times. According to local historiography, Brunei was founded by Awang Alak Betatar, who later became known as Sultan Muhammad Shah and ruled around AD 1400. The early kingdom was believed to be under Buddhist rulers before the arrival of Islam. During its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Bruneian Empire controlled much of Borneo and extended its influence to the Philippines. However, starting in the 19th century, the Bruneian Empire began to decline due to colonial expansion and internal strife.

In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, and it gained its independence in 1984. The country has a small but significant role on the world stage. It is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the East Asia Summit, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and ASEAN. Brunei's economy is largely dependent on its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, making it one of the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of gross domestic product per capita.

Brunei is known for its high standard of living, with the Sultan regularly allocating land and housing to deserving residents. The country has a unique culture influenced by its Malay roots and Islamic faith. It has a rich artistic and handicraft heritage, with traditional practices such as boat-making, silver-smithing, and cloth weaving. The people of Brunei enjoy a high quality of life, with the government providing free or subsidised housing, healthcare, and education.

The country has a population of approximately 455,858, with around 180,000 people living in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small but wealthy country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It has a population of approximately 455,858 people, with around 180,000 living in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and the rest scattered across three other districts: Brunei/Muara, Tutong, and Belait.

Bandar Seri Begawan, located on the Brunei River, is the country's largest city and serves as its administrative, commercial, and religious centre. The city is home to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Adjacent to the modern city is the older Kampong Ayer, a water village where traditional stilt houses line the river inlets. With a population of around 180,000, Bandar Seri Begawan is a bustling urban centre, but it also offers a glimpse into Brunei's rich cultural heritage and traditions.

The country's other major towns include Muara, which is located about 41 kilometres northeast of Bandar Seri Begawan and serves as the country's chief port; Seria, which is the centre of the oil and gas industry; and Kuala Belait, Pekan Tutong, and Bangar, which are the administrative centres of their respective districts.

Brunei's population is diverse, with the majority being ethnic Malays, followed by Chinese and other indigenous groups. The country's official language is Malay, and English is widely spoken as a second language. The country's religious landscape is dominated by Islam, with a significant number of Buddhists and Christians also practising their faiths.

Brunei's population is relatively young, with a median age of 30. The country has a high life expectancy of around 77-78 years, and its death rate is among the lowest in the world. With a high standard of living and no income tax, Bruneians enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. The country's wealth is largely derived from its abundant oil and gas reserves, making it one of the richest nations in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

The official language of Brunei is Malay, and the state religion is Islam

Brunei, officially known as Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state that is entirely on Borneo; the rest of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay, and the state religion is Islam. Malay was specified as the national language in the 1959 Constitution, and its central role in the country is reinforced in the national philosophy of a "Islamic Malay Monarchy" (Melayu Islam Beraja). The Latin alphabet (Rumi) and the Arabic alphabet (Jawi) are used to write Malay, which replaced the Jawi script around 1941. Malay is also the national language of Malaysia and Indonesia.

In Brunei, the local dialect, Brunei Malay, is the most widely spoken language, with about 266,000 speakers. It is rather divergent from Standard Malay, with only about 84% of its words being cognate with the national language. English is also widely spoken in Brunei, used as a business and official language, and it is taught in schools from primary to tertiary education. It is also the language of instruction for most subjects from Year 4 onwards. Other languages spoken in Brunei include Chinese, Arabic, Kedayan Malay, Tutong Malay, Murut, Dusun, and various indigenous languages.

Islam is the state religion of Brunei, with 82.1% of the population identifying as Muslim. The official form of Islam in Brunei is Sunni, following the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence. The right to practise other religions is guaranteed, although non-Muslim groups are subject to restrictions. For example, religious education is controlled, and non-Islamic religious materials are illegal. Brunei has a Sharia law criminal code, which has attracted international criticism for its harsh punishments.

The Bruneian Empire began to decline in the 19th century, and Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888

The Bruneian Empire began to decline in the 19th century, with the Sultanate ceding territory to both the British and the Brooke dynasty. In 1841, the English adventurer James Brooke was ceded Sarawak in northwestern Borneo, and he was installed as the White Rajah. Brooke and his nephews, who succeeded him, continued to expand their territory, with the Sultanate granting them more land. In 1846, the British attacked Brunei and, in 1847, the Sultanate signed the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with the British. In 1850, the Sultanate also signed a similar treaty with the United States.

In 1877, the Sultanate leased (and later ceded) stretches of territory east of the capital to the British North Borneo Chartered Company. In 1888, the Sultanate ceded Sabah in northeastern Borneo to the British North Borneo Chartered Company. That same year, the Sultanate became a British protectorate when Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin signed the Treaty of Protection with the British. This treaty essentially handed over Brunei's foreign affairs to Britain. In 1890, the Brookes annexed the Pandaruan District of Brunei, leaving the Sultanate with its current small land mass and separation into two parts.

In 1906, the British introduced British residents to Brunei, who were to advise the Sultan on all matters of administration. Over time, the resident assumed more executive control than the Sultan. In 1959, a new constitution was written, declaring Brunei a self-governing state, while its foreign affairs, security, and defence remained the responsibility of the United Kingdom. In 1967, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled Brunei since. In 1979, the United Kingdom and Brunei signed a treaty whereby Brunei would become fully independent in 1984. Brunei duly gained independence on 1 January 1984, and an Islamic sultanate was proclaimed.

Brunei gained its independence in 1984 and has been led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967

Brunei is a small, oil-rich country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. It is the only sovereign state on Borneo, with the remainder of the island shared between Malaysia and Indonesia. Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, becoming a fully sovereign state and constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. It has been led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah since 1967, making him the world's longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was born in 1946 and became the 29th sultan of Brunei in 1967 when he was just 21 years old. He is one of the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world and is ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally, with a net worth of $30 billion as of 2023. Upon Brunei's independence in 1984, he appointed himself prime minister and has since held several other ministerial posts.

Under the 1959 Constitution of Brunei, the Sultan is the head of state with full executive authority, including emergency powers since the 1962 Brunei Revolt. The country's unicameral legislature, the Legislative Council, is consultative and its members are appointed by the Sultan.

Brunei's wealth is based on its substantial oil and gas reserves, making it one of the countries with the highest standards of living in the world. Its citizens pay no income tax, and the Sultan regularly allocates land lots and housing to deserving residents under various government schemes.

In recent years, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has faced criticism over the introduction of strict Islamic Sharia law in the country, which allows for harsh punishments such as stoning for adultery and amputation for theft. Despite international condemnation, the Sultan has continued to implement these laws, citing the need to maintain the country's Islamic religious teachings and customs.

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