BRUNEI: Profile of the royal couple

Her Royal Highness holds a BA (Hons) in Administration and Public Policy from Universiti Brunei Darussalam and also holds an MA Environmental Development from the King's College of the University of London.
HRH is currently the Senior Environment Officer and Head of Planning and Management Division at the Department of the Environment, Parks and Recreation, an agency under the Ministry of Development.
One of the tasks of the Planning and Management Division is to evaluate the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the Sg Liang Industrial Site Development. A string of successful projects under the direct supervision of HRH include the Asean Youth Forum on Environment, which was held January 8, 2007.
HRH began her career as Special Duties Officer at the Environment Unit, a section of the Ministry of Development responsible for policy and strategic environment affairs, Feb 11, 2002.
Among her written works include the Environmental Management Guidelines for Quarry Activity and the Position Paper on Brunei's Accession to the Basel Convention to Control the Disposal and Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari

the groom, YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil, was born on February 28, 1975 and is the eldest son and second child of Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari Bin Pengiran Syed Hj Mashor and Hjh Sarbanun Hj Abdi Manaf.
Pengiran Khairul Khalil has an elder sister and a younger brother and sister.
Pengiran Khairul Khalil holds a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Building Studies from the University of Teeside, UK. He is currently the Assistant Executive Officer at the Prime Minister's Office.
Before working in the government sector, he worked as a journalist and graphic designer at Avesta Printing & Trading Sdn Bhd from 2002 to 2003.
Among the fond memories during his career as a journalist besides covering the local news, was his interview of former President of the United States, Bill Clinton during his visit to the Sultanate in 2002.
His hobbies are graphic designing, multimedia and video production, interior designing and soccer

PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL WEDDING
Friday, 1ST June 2007 Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja" (proposal of marriage)
Saturday, 2nd June 2007 Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga
Sunday, 3rd June 2007 Istiadat menghantar Tanda Diraja" (bringing of articles)
Monday, 4th June 2007 Istiadat Menghantar Pertunangan Diraja (engagement)
Tuesday, 5th June 2007 Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja (applying powder paste)
Thursday, 7th June 2007 Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja (solemnisation of marriage vows)
Saturday, 9th June 2007 Istiadat Berinai Diraja" (applying henna paste)
Sunday, 10th June 2007 Istiadat Persandingan Diraja (sitting-in-state ceremony) followed by a procession around the town area.
Monday, 11th June 2007 Majlis Istiadat Persantapan Diraja" (royal banquet)
Wednesday, 13th June 2007 Istiadat Pengantin Diraja Mulih Tiga Hari (a ceremony held three days after the wedding)
Thursday, 14th June 2007 Istiadat Menutup Gendang Jaga-Jaga (Official closing of the ceremony)

Friday, 1st June 2007

Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja (Proposal of marriage)

This ceremony would be held when both sides have finalised arrangements and fixed the dates for all the ceremonies. It will be held on a suitable date mutually agreed by both sides. Usually it will be held at the balai or similarly suitable place. It would be held at Lapau for the Royal wedding. However since this ceremony precedes the custom of opening the Gendang Jaga-Jaga, it is therefore outside the period of customary ceremonies related to the Royal wedding (i.e. outside the period of Musim Istiadat).
Only after this ceremony would the dates of subsequent customs and ceremony related to the Royal wedding be fixed. In this ceremony the man's side would go the woman's side and officially declare the intention of the man in seeking the hand of the woman in marriage. The woman's side would officially reply that they are aware of the man's noble intention and like the berjarum-jarum ceremony would later send a delegation to the man's side to inform about its acceptance and fixed the other dates related to the wedding ceremonies.

Saturday, 2nd June 2007
Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga
Gendang Jaga-Jaga is an important part of Royal Customs in Brunei
This ceremony denotes the official opening of Istiadat-Istiadat diraja. (royal ceremonies). Therefore all the events must lie within the period of Gendang Jaga-Jaga before it is officially closed after a prayer of thanks is held.

Sunday, 3rd June 2007
Istiadat menghantar Tanda Diraja" (bringing of articles)
This ceremony is held at night in a gathering whereby the man's delegation would bring the following articles to the fiancee's house. These are known as 'Tanda Diraja', and are:

1. A small underage girl fully dressed and adorned like a bride. She would be carried astride at the waist of a Pengarah (an official of the royal court). The girl would head and lead the man's delegation.

2. A piece of Kain Jong Sarat (songket sarong), a complete set of dress, a pair of bangles, a pair of earstuds, four rings, a pair of necklace and other essentials for the use of the fiancee. Each type of gift would be placed in brass receptacle duly lined, decorated and covered. Each would be carried by a maid who wears while baju kurung (a kind of Malay dress) and sarong of specific predetermined colour, with a sash of yellow cloth hanging on the right shoulder, and a flower decoration (bunga goyang) in her hair.

3. Dian Enam Belas (16 Royal Ceremonial Candles) carried by maids led by a Juru Bini (a lady official of the Istana). The maids are similarly dressed as above.


The three items of Tanda Diraja above are accompanied by a set of perhiasan (decorations) comprising of sinipit, pedang and perisai (sword & shield), tombak (lance) and kabok panastan. The number of each of these perhiasan being dependant on the status of the Dignitary hosting the ceremony

Monday, 4th June 2007
Majlis Istiadat Menghantar Pertunangan DiRaja (Engagement Ceremony)
This ceremony is usually held during the day in a gathering at the girl's house. It is held to formally certify the bethrothal of the man to the girl. The Perhiasan accompanying the man's delegation to his fiancee's house is according to the social status of the host, and is the same as stated in ceremony of Menghantar Tanda Diraja.
The Pertunangan Diraja consists of the following items:


1. A small underage girl fully adorned and dressed like a bride (formerly this girl is barechested and the chest is covered in yellow tumeric powder which is scratched with comb resulting in a certain pattern on the chest). The girl is carried aloft by a Pengarah who leads the man's delegation.
2. A small underage boy fully dressed like a groom and carried by a Pengarah accompanying the underage girl.
3. Surat Mahar (a letter stating the intention of bethrothal of the man to the woman and listing the items brought to the girl's house as engagement gifts from the man to his fiancee) or Berian, and a piece of Kain Jong Sara, a complete set of Malay Dress, a pair of bangles, a pair of earstuds, four rings, kelakati, knife or other items of gifts as alternatives to the these items. They are placed in brass receptacles which are lined and covered and carried by maids wearing white baju kurung and sarong of predetermined colour, a yellow sash and sprouting bunga goyang on their heads.

4. The whole delegation is escorted by the Dian Enam Belas carried by maids dressed in white baju kurung, sarong of predetermined colour and sprouting bunga goyang on their heads. The maids are led by a Juru Bini (a lady official of the Istana) and are followed by 40 youths each bearing the Janar (a yellow cloth measuring 72 ins. x 3.5 ins. worn like a sash from right shoulder to the left waist. In this ceremony the janar is exchanged for money, valued usually at B25.00 each).

Tuesday, 5th June 2007

Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja (applying powder paste)

This ceremony is performed separately on both the groom and the bride. Usually it is done at night on a date mutually agreed by both sides. Normally it is done on the bride first, except when the groom is the crown prince or of royal parentage then it is done on him first.
On the day before the ceremony, there would be an exchange of gifts between both families. The groom would send over to the bride 4 sticks of candles powder, perfumes and scents, cosmetics, ornaments, piece of Kain Jong Sarat, a set of white dress inlaid with golden thread, and other similarly valuables gifts. The bride would in return send over to the groom perfumes, scents, powders and a complete set of full Malat dress. These items would be placed in brass receptacles lined with lace, decorated and covered, carried by maids wearing full ceremonial dress and led by several chosen ladies of rank.
At the appointed time the bride is led out onto the bridal dais, and once seated certain close relatives of the bride and other chosen personage, including the religious ulamak, would perform the ceremony of applying the powder paste to the hand of the bride. There are seven colours of powder paste made. These are put on silver or crystal plates placed on brass tray which is laced and decorated. The tray would be positioned near the bridal dais, before the ceremony. In this ceremony only a small portion of the seven coloured paste is touched by the designated personage performing it who then place them onto the hand of the bride. Once all the designated personages have completed the ceremony, the bride is then led down from the bridal dais and is taken to a special place in the istana or the house, to the undergo the ceremony of Bersiram which completes the ceremony of Berbedak Diraja. The manner and form of this Bersiram ceremony is similar to the ceremony of Bersiram after the ceremony of Berbedak Lulutan.
The Alat Kebesaran Diraja and the Alat Perhiasan accompanying the ceremony depend on the social standing of the family hosting the ceremony.
Usually the ceremony for the groom would begin immediately after the ceremony of Berbedak Diraja for the bride is completed. In this ceremony, the bride and groom would be fully dressed in customary traditional Malay attire and fully adorned with traditional ornaments.

Thursday, 7th June 2007

Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja (solemnisation of marriage vows)

During this ceremony, the solemnization of marriage between the man and the woman is done. It is held at the middle part of the istana, or the house of the woman (bride), or at the mosque, or at the other places convenient and suitable to the man (groom). Usually it is performed by a designated religious official upon the groom at a time, day and date mutually agreed to by both the man's and woman's sides.

Dian The Alat Kebesaran Diraja used are:
a) Dian Empat carried by Awang-Awang wearing ceremonial dress, who would be arranged to sit at the four corners of the groom's seat.
b) Kasur Namat (like a big cushion) used to seat the groom. It is yellow in colour and laced with green coloured material around the edges.
The perhiasan accompanying the groom is based on the social status of the groom's family and would be the same as those used during the Mengantat Tanda ceremony. The groom does not put on any special dress apart from wearing a full Malay dress, preferably white in colour, complete with arat and dastar.
If the ceremony is held at the mosque or other religious places, then the practice of 'sembah hormat' and carrying the Dian, Tikar, and Bintang Petian, are done away with. If the ceremony is not held at the groom's place, then a delegation made up of certain State Dignitaries and other chosen personage would accompany the groom to the chosen place of ceremony.
Once the solemnization of marriage is completed, a prayer of thanks is read by the designated religious official.

Saturday, 9th June 2007

Istiadat Berinai Diraja" (applying henna paste)

Majlis Istiadat Berinai Pengantin Diraja or Ceremony of Berpacar (Berinai) is held simultaneously at the bride's house and the groom's house. Usually it is held on the night before the wedding day. In the historical past the ceremony is carried on top of a platform or bedstead of the bride or groom. However due to changing circumstances and situation the ceremony has been adapted to suit prevailing condition, and is now performed at the Audience Hall or on the bridal dais placed in a suitable location in the house.

On the day before the ceremony, the groom's sit would sent to the bride's side The essential goods needed for the occasion such as henna leaves, cutting knives with golden hill, a golden bowl, perfumes and scents. The bride's side would reciprocate by sending over to the groom the same articles as above including sweetmeat and cakes and the like wrapped up in silat leaves, shapes into small thumb like sizes. All these items are placed in brass trays laced and decorated and carried by maids dressed in ceremonial attire and accompanied by several ladies of rank.

This ceremony involves the staining of the hands of the bride and groom with henna leaves paste by designated personages, close relatives of the family including some religious dignitaries. These personage performed the ceremony in turn according to their social ranks and supervised by the Pengiran Penggawa. The ceremony is ended upon completion of the staining by all the designated personages. The Alat Kebesaran Diraja and perhiasan accompanying this ceremony is based on tile host's social ranking, and is the same as in the Ceremony of berbedak Lulutan. For this ceremony the groom would be dressed in full Malay dress of bright yellow (like the yolk of an egg) colour, complete with head gear, dastar and rancong and in olden times also adorned with gelang penguluan (bangles) and geronchong (anklets). The bride would also be similarly dressed in full Malay bride's attire of slightly lighter orangish yellow colour with golden thread inlaid, a pair of gelang penguluan and a pair of anklets.

From time to time the mode of dress of the Royal wedding couple would be adapted to suit prevailing situation.

Sunday, 10th June 2007

Istiadat Persandingan Diraja (sitting-in-state ceremony) followed by a procession around the town area.

The ceremony of Naik Kahwin or Bersanding is the climax of the whole wedding ceremonies. It is "The Wedding Ceremony", and is held on a day and date mutually agreed to by the families of the groom and the bride. It is held usually at the bride's home.
Before the bride and groom are dressed up and adorned with ornaments they have to undergo the ceremony of bersiram first. This ceremony of bathing the bride and groom is similar to all other bersiram ceremonies undergone by both during the wedding. After the bathing ceremony, each one is groomed carefully so as to look radiantly beautiful. The hair is combed and set, and the face meticulously made up.
The Alat Kebesaran Diraja or Royal Decoration is used during the ceremony of naik kahwin is the same as in previous ceremonies, and is based on the social ranking of the person hosting the ceremony.
During the ceremony of naik kahwin or bersanding both the bride and groom are, seated on special dais built at specific place in the istana or house of the bride. Once seated side by side on the bridal dais the ceremony is completed by a prayer of thanks read by designated religious official.
Both the bride and groom are dressed up elaborately and adorned with traditional ornaments, fit for a king and queen. The couple is labelled as the King and Queen for the day, and as such is accorded a grand reception, with pomp and honour.
For a Royal wedding the arrival of the Sultan, Raja Isteri, Pengiran Isteri or other wives of the Sultan, would be accompanied by the Perhiasan Tunggal. They will be followed by the Royal Family accompanied by the Perhiasan Empat. However before this, an advance delegation from the groom's side would come to the bride's place to assess and report back to the groom's family the state of readiness at the bride's place.
Once ready the bride would be led into the ceremonial place by a delegation of designated ladies, and upon arrival at the bridal dais the leader of the delegation would escort the bride to take her seat on the bridal dais. The leader of the delegation would then take the rightful seat in the assembly.
In the meantime the groom's delegation would be arriving at the bride's istana or place of residence where the ceremony of Naik Kahwin is held. Upon arrival, the groom would be met by the designated religious official and would be invited to alight from his car or carriage. Once alighted and before entering into the istana or house, the groom would perform the Pusar Naga Ceremony, whereby the groom is made to turn anticlockwise on the spot three times. The groom then led into the istana or house, together with his delegation. However before entering the entrance or door, the groom undergoes another ceremony called 'membasuh kaki' - the washing of the groom's feet with water filled in a special kiri (receptacle resembling a pitcher). This is followed by the sprinkling of yellow rice that is parried with a kiap (a kind of fan).
The groom is then escorted to the bridal dais and upon coming face to face with the bride, the escort (the same designated religious official who met the groom at the car and had been leading and escorting the groom since) would take the Tumpang Adap-adapan from the groom's delegation and put it at its rightful place on the bridal dais infront of the groom's seat. The escort then takes both hands of the groom and placed them for a moment on the brides head. Simultaneously with the placing of the groom's hands onto the bride's head, the Royal cannon would fire the royal-salute, the number of shots fired would be dependant on the noble ranking of the person hosting the wedding. And while the gun salute is progressing the groom is invited to take his seat beside the bride on the dais. The seating of the couple side by side (bersanding) denotes the end of the ceremony and a prayer of thanks is read by designated religious dignitary.
For the Royal wedding, the next step would be for the designated Pehin Manteri (usually it is the Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Diraja or Seri Lela) to convey to the designated Royal Dignitary (usually it is the Pengiran Pemancha or Pengiran Maharaja Lela) that the wedding ceremony has been safely concluded and humbly request for further instruction from the Sultan as Head of Ceremony. Once the assent is received from the Sultan as the Head of ceremony, the Royal couple is invited to step down from the bridal dais to the place of rest inside the istana or house.
The assembly is then dispersed.


Monday, 11th June 2007
Majlis Istiadat Persantapan Diraja" (royal banquet)

This is a Royal Banquet attended by members of royal family, invited guest and senior officers.

Wednesday, 13th June 2007

Istiadat Pengantin Diraja Mulih Tiga Hari (a ceremony held three days after the wedding)

The intention of this ceremony, performed three days after the bersanding ceremony, is to allow the groom to visit his parents. It is done during the day and consists of two separate ceremonies, one at the house of the groom's parents and the other at the bride's place. The ceremony at the house of the groom is to despatch a delegation to the bride's place to invite the groom back to visit his parents or elders. It will be done according to tradition similar in form and manner as when sending the groom for the bersanding ceremony. However on its return with the groom, they would join the gathering and sit in the places usually allotted to them, without any other ceremony.
The groom would bring along with him a piece of Kain Jong Sarat, a full suit of Malay dress, some jewelery such as rings, personal clothings, crockery and the like.
The ceremony at the bride's place is actually a kind of a farewell ceremony to the groom who had become a member of the bride's family. The ceremony would be held according to tradition and custom, and will see the groom and bride sitting side by side. Upon the arrival of the delegation from the groom's side at the house of the bride, the delegation would be placed in a special room to await the groom.
In the meantime head of protocol on the bride's side would invite the groom to join the delegation from the groom's side. The groom would then seek leave from his bride to join the delegation for me journey back to his parents’ house. Once the groom is together with his parents’ delegation a prayer of thanks is read by designated religious dignitary. The head of the male delegation then seeks the permission of the head of the bride's delegation to take back the groom to visit his parents. Once granted the delegation leads the groom back to his parent's house and the assembly in the bride's place is completed in the normal traditional manner.
This ceremony is held during the day. At night there are two other 'ceremonies'. The one held at the groom's place is to receive the delegation from the bride's side who had come to invite and fetch the groom back. The ceremony ends after the groom had left the house together with the bride's delegation, and prayer of thanks is read. The second ceremony is held at the bride's place, to welcome back the groom and ends when the groom is seated beside me bride (bersanding) again, and the prayer of thanks is read by designated religious official.


Thursday, 14th June 2007

Istiadat Menutup Gendang Jaga-Jaga (Official closing of the ceremony)

This ceremony of closing the Gendang Jaga-jaga usually begins with the recital of the Zikir Sharam Anam (Zikir Marhaban). And when the zikir reaches the wording of "Ya Habibi", the Royal cannon will fire its salute; the number of shots fired would be according to the status of the person hosting the ceremony. This will be accompanied by the beats of Gendang Arak-arakan, and the dismantling of the perhiasan.

Pictures and articles courtesy of www.information.gov.bn