Bandar Seri Begawan - The week-long ceremonies held in conjunction with the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and YAM Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pg Dr Haji Mohd Yakub culminated with a doa selamat and closing of the 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' ceremony to mark their conclusion at the Istana Nurul Iman and at the residence of the groom in Kg Beribi yesterday.

The ceremonies commenced on September 16 with the opening of the 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' to symbolise the start of the ceremonies. This was followed by a series of regal ceremonies including the 'Majlis Akad Nikah', 'Majlis Berbedak' and the highlight on Sunday, the "Majlis Bersanding Pengantin Diraja".

The ceremonies showcased the Sultanate's unique and rich royal culture and tradition inherited from many centuries ago and practiced. to this day with precision and elaborative detail.

The arrival of guests at the ceremony at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday was accompanied by the beating of 'labik' (cylindrical drum) which echoed through the palace, followed by the signature melody of the Serunai (oboe) and the sound of gongs and 'Canang'.

The 'doa selamat' and closing ceremony of the 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' were conducted in the presence of YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz as the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris and other YAM Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria.

Also present were Cabinet Ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang and Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, High Commissioners and Ambassadors, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Department, as well as invited guests, all bedecked in their ceremonial black 'Cara Melayu' with shiny medals and 'Sesandang' (a sash worn over the shoulder).

The ceremony began with Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Md Zain bin Hj Serudin informing the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara that the ceremony was ready to commence.

Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Md Zain later was received in audience with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to inform the monarch and obtain his consent to begin the doa selamat and closing of the 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' ceremony.

Upon receiving consent from His Majesty, the ceremony proceeded with the recital of the Dikir Syarafil Anam, accompanied by 21 cannon blasts from the compound of the Istana. Royal ornaments such as the 'Dian Empat' were also brought into the hall to signal the commencement of the closing ceremony. During the dikir presentation, guests were also sprinkled with scented water on the palms of their hands.

The doa selamat was read by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

At the end of the ceremony, with His Majesty's consent, Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Md Zain informed the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara that the ceremony had successfully concluded.