Sanskrit, Javanese, Arabic Influences In Brunei Culture Told

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei is well known for its rich traditional customs inherited from ancestors and one of them is the 'Chiri Gelaran', which includes titles, rankings, bestowed by rulers or kings during their reigns.

Pehin Dato Ustaz Awanga Haji Yahya, the Deputy Religious Affairs Minister, highlighted this in his working paper entitled ‘Kajian Ringkas Mengenai Chiri Gelarn’ at the history seminar organised by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation and the PESEBAR Association yesterday at the Islamic Dakwah Centre in Berakas.

The Deputy Minister said the Ciri Gelaara was influenced by pre-Islamic elements.

However when Islam started to penetrate the political and social aspects of the Bruneian life, the religion brought many changes.

Before Islam, people with titles or ranks were regarded as the supreme authority.

In Brunei the Ciri Gelaran has some influence from the Sanskrit and Javanese languages and in written Arabic.

He said further research should be carried out especially on the Sanskrit language used in the Ciri.

As the customs are created to beautify the national culture, their development must befit and integrated with the changing era

The contents of the Adat or customs must be understood and studied to determine how it was created, so that we can pass it down to the younger generation, he comented. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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