The fine arts in Brunei

Introduction

When Islam was introduced, it dramatically changed the cultural landscape of Brunei. The distinctly
Islamic art forms and cultural priorities brought a whole new element to the nation’s indigenous
heritage. Brunei’s mosques are works of art in themselves, offering many examples of Islamic art that
are rarely seen outside the Arabic world. Ceremonial items, intricate mosaics and gilded copies of the
Koran can be viewed at several monuments around Brunei.

The cultural and artistic heritage of Brunei is supported by several public institutions such as the Royal
Regalia Building, Brunei History Center, and the Arts and Handicraft Center. Brunei has a rich past
which the government does an excellent job of promoting and maintaining. This nation was once
renowned for its boat making, weaving, basketry, silversmith and bronze tooling skills. The Malay
influence is quite evident in the traditional musical instruments, weaponry, decorative items and games
of Brunei.Religion

Islam: Brunei’s national religion is the Shafeite sect of Islam, which is a Sunni subgroup of Malay
origin. Shafeite Muslims, which make up 66 percent of the population, adhere to the Shafi school of
Islamic law. The remaining percentage of the Muslim population consists of Chinese converts and
Kedayans, who are converted indigenous tribes. Islam was introduced to Brunei in the 15th century
when a Malay Muslim was given the title of sultan.

While the sultan is technically the head of the Islamic faith in Brunei, the Department of Religious
Affairs is in charge of promoting and maintaining the daily functions of Islam. This includes a rather
strict branch of Islamic police who uphold Islamic law. Alcohol is prohibited, as are things like holding
hands in public and eating pork. The penalties for breaking these rules can be quite harsh. Impressively,
however, other religions such as Buddhism and Christianity are allowed to practice in peace.
Buddhism: Before the official installment of Islam by the sultan in the 15th century, Brunei was a land
of Malay Hindu-Buddhists. This report comes from Chinese references to Puli, the old name for the
region of Brunei. One of the earliest kings was known by the Sanskrit name of Sang Aji (‘revered
monarch’). Buddhism probably made its way to Brunei along trading routes, much as Islam did in later
years. Today, Mahayana Buddhism is Brunei’s second-largest religion, with 16 percent of the
population practicing this religion.

Culture

Brunei is a serious but tolerant Islamic nation, so be sure and learn the various social and religious rules
which fall under Islamic law before visiting. If you follow their customs, you will have a much more
positive experience. The population are, however, very tolerant of foreigners. Don’t be afraid to ask
someone what is proper or improper during your stay.

People in Brunei greet each other by lightly touching hands, then putting
their hand to their chest in a fluid movement. Muslims rarely exchange
physical contact between members of the opposite sex. Dress is very
important in Brunei. Always dress conservatively, despite the oppressive
heat and humidity. This is particularly true for women, who should try to
keep their legs and most of their arms covered when in public. Some
main points to remember are:

• Do not point with your finger. Instead, fold the fingers of your right hand under your thumb and
use the thumb to point.

• Do not smack your right hand into your left fist, as this carries a rude connotation.

• Do not wear shoes into a mosque. Women must cover their heads, knees and arms in mosques.

• Do not pass in front of anyone who is praying in a mosque.

• Do not touch a Koran.

 • Do not pass a gift, especially food, with your left hand. Use your right hand only.

• Do not eat or drink in front of a Muslim during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

• Do not flaunt the fact that non-Muslims can drink alcohol discreetly in hotels and certain
restaurants.

Music and dance : Brunei is not particularly known for its traditional music and dance, but there are a
few folk songs and dances which have survived. One example is the adai-adai, a work song usually
sung by groups of fishermen while they fish. Malay folk music is more dominant in modern Brunei,
often played by professional musicians at special celebrations such as weddings. Responsive singing is
a major aspect of this style of music, best exemplified in the song Alus Jua Dindang, where the groom
flatters his new wife and declares his undying love. The Brunei Music Society has been preserving
classical music in Brunei since 1972.

The local Malay population is best known for their jipin dance. This popular dance is performed by six
men and women, and backed by traditional instruments such as the dombak, rebana and gambus dan
biola. Gongs such as the guling tangan and smaller duck gongs are also popular instruments. There are
a number of Kedayan folk dances which can occasionally be seen at special events. The benari is one of
the most popular, typically performed during local festivals by three men and three women.

Aduk-aduk is another ceremonial dance performed by the Kedayan at special occasions such as the end
of the harvest season. In this dance, the dancers wear a traditional warrior’s outfit of red and black
clothing and move to the beat of the traditional Malay martial art known as silat. Numerous percussion
instruments such as drums and coconut shells accompany this dance.Brunei is not particularly known
for its traditional music and dance, but there are a few folk songs and dances which have survived. One
example is the adai-adai, a work song usually sung by groups of fishermen while they fish. Malay folk
music is more dominant in modern Brunei, often played by professional musicians at special
celebrations such as weddings. Responsive singing is a major aspect of this style of music, best
exemplified in the song Alus Jua Dindang, where the groom flatters his new wife and declares his
undying love. The Brunei Music Society has been preserving classical music in Brunei since 1972.

The local Malay population is best known for their jipin dance. This popular dance is performed by six
men and women, and backed by traditional instruments such as the dombak, rebana and gambus dan
biola. Gongs such as the guling tangan and smaller duck gongs are also popular instruments. There are
a number of Kedayan folk dances which can occasionally be seen at special events. The benari is one of
the most popular, typically performed during local festivals by three men and three women.such as
bowls, tools and the like. To help preserve this heritage of metalwork, the Brunei Arts and Handicraft
Training Center was established in 1975 to revive and promote the nation’s dying tradition of crafts,
including metalwork. The opening of this center is still considered a landmark in the history of
development of Brunei’s arts and handicrafts. In addition to training youths in the art of sculpting, the
center also helps facilitate the sale of their crafts.

Literature: The Language and Literature Bureau is the country’s main ministry in charge of the
promotion and development of literature and folklore. This office produces a series of textbooks in both
English and Malay for use by students. The most popular form of traditional writing is a form of poetry
called sajak. Although a handful of local authors have become well known in the literary world, Brunei
is not very prolific. The nation’s most famous piece of traditional literature is the epic poem Sya’ir
Awang Simawn, which tells the story of a cultural hero.

Brunei has, however, been the setting for a few modern novels by Western authors. Dan Brown’s novel
Armageddon takes place mainly in Brunei and details a fictional attack on the nation by the group of
Islamic fundamentalists. Another famous story featuring Brunei is Devil of a State by Anthony
Burgess. In this novel, the building of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin’s mosque in the capital Bandar
Seri Begawan is a major theme.

Sculpture: Sculpture in Brunei takes on a more utilitarian role than an aesthetic one. The people of
Brunei have a long tradition as excellent craftsmen using bronze and silver to create adornments and
functional items such as bowls, tools and the like. To help preserve this heritage of metalwork, the
Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Center was established in 1975 to revive and promote the nation’s
dying tradition of crafts, including metalwork. The opening of this center is still considered a landmark
in the history of development of Brunei’s arts and handicrafts. In addition to training youths in the art
of sculpting, the center also helps facilitate the sale of their crafts.

Painting: The best places to see traditional Brunei artwork is in the country’s mosques, which contain
colorful collections of paintings as well as intricate mosaics and dramatic designs on the very walls
themselves.

When it comes to modern art, there are a number of galleries in the capital that display work by up-and-
coming artists. While modern art is not yet popular in Brunei, it is certainly on the increase and colorful
Impressionist pieces can be purchased at special galleries and shops in city markets and shopping
malls.
The Brunei Music Society has been preserving classical music in Brunei since 1972.
Silver is a popular element for jewelry and utensils. Silver sheets are imported from there.
[Silversmiths make ornaments, flower vases and gongs (metal disk with a turned rim giving a resonant
note when stuck). Another popular utensil is pasigupan, a type of mini pot that has a mandala print and
holds tobacco.

Silvercrafting is a means of preserving family traditions and a profitable cottage industry.

Weaving
Weaving skills have been passed across generations. Brunei produces fabric for making gowns
and sarongs. "The weaving and decoration of cloth as well as wearing, display, and exchange of it, has
been an important part of Bruneian culture for years (Orr 96)." Weaving became significant in the 15th
century. Antonio Pigafetta visited Brunei during his travels and observed how the clothes were made.
One example was a Jongsarat, a handmade garment used for weddings and special occasions. It
typically includes a hint of silver and gold. It can be used for wall coverings.

The two types of clothing in Brunei are called Batik and Ikat. Batik is dyed cotton cloth decorated
through a technique known as wax-resist dyeing.[1Workers start with plain cotton and draw patterns
with melted wax. The cloth is dipped in dye that colors unprotected fabric. Waxing and dyeing
continues until the pattern is complete. In the past, only certain people were allowed to wear certain
patterns while others had to wear Itak. Batik clothing was limited to royalty in Brunei and Malaysia.[1]

Ikat is made through a similar process as Batik, Instead of dyeing the pattern onto finished cloth, it is
created during weaving. The weaver lays out the threads onto to the loom, then measures their length.
The thread is then later wrapped in bark and tied up tightly so that when it is dyed, the color cannot
reach all the thread. The process is repeated with different dyes. The thread is then strung on the loom.
Ikat patterns were often specific to cultural groups, and patterns were passed down from generation to
generation