Brunei River | |
---|---|
Native name | Sungai Brunei |
Location | |
Country | Brunei |
District | Brunei-Muara |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | confluence of the Kayal and Limau Manis rivers |
• coordinates | 4°55′35″N115°01′05″E / 4.92639°N 115.01806°E |
Mouth | |
• location | Brunei-Muara, Brunei |
• coordinates | 4°55′08″N115°00′57″E / 4.9187617°N 115.0159437°E |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Length | 41 km (25 mi) |
Basin size | 765 km2 (295 sq mi) |
Basin features | |
River system | Brunei River |
Tributaries | |
• left | Butir |
• right | Damuan, Kedayan, Kianggeh |
The Brunei River (Malay : Sungai Brunei) is a river which flows through Brunei [1] and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction. [2] The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the shortest major river in Brunei. It is the major river basin within the Brunei-Muara District, the smallest but most populous district. It flows through the country's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. It is home to Kampong Ayer, the Brunei's traditional village on stilts above the river water. [3]
The Sultanate of Brunei once controlled all Borneo, including parts of the Philippines and Indonesia. [4] The region's thick jungle means the method of transport and communication was always via boats. This led to traditional settlements being established beside rivers and waterways. These waterways provided convenient transport through a jungle environment, and a supply of food.
In 2006 the Brunei government through the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, a department initiated the clean-up campaign of the Brunei. A total of $3.9 million has been allocated for the clean-up project, in addition to the $90,000 for the house-to-house waste collection. [5]
Kampong Ayer is the traditional Bruneian village on stilts above the Brunei River. [3] It was the traditional capital of Brunei for centuries during the Bruneian Sultanate and extended into the British protectorate. [6] It is now part of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, located across the city centre.
Some of Brunei's historical sites are located along the river banks, including:
The river is also home to Jong Batu, a rock outcrop believed to be the remains of a ship belonging to Nakhoda Manis, a figure associated with the local legend of an unfilial son cursed into stone. Similar tales can also be found in the local legends of Indonesia and Malaysia. [16]
The inconspicuous tiny island of Lumut Lunting, which is described in Syair Awang Semaun as the site of a cockfight between the kings of Brunei and the Majapahit Empire, is one of several well-known local myths and tales that have been associated with the Brunei River. [17] At the mouth of the Brunei River, Lumut Lunting is positioned between Pulau Sibungur and Pulau Berambang, as opposed to Pulau Pilong-Pilongan, which is farther out at sea and closer to Muara. Both islands, Pulau Pilong-Pilongan and Lumut Lunting, have ties to a long-standing myth that dates back more than 500 years. According to legend, the incident occurred in the early years of Awang Alak Betatar's first sultanate, somewhere in the 14th century. [18]
At the time, a rooster owned by Awang Senuai, a relative of Awang Alak Betatar, was renowned for consistently triumphing in cockfights. In a cockfight, two carefully trained and conditioned roosters engage in combat as onlookers wager on the winner. The majority of conflicts result in the death of one or both roosters. Raden Angsuka Dewa, who also owned Asmara, a rooster reputed to be comparable to Mutiara, learned about this. Asmara was carefully cared for by his owner, who provided him with a unique coop and a golden plate that was hanging high. Asmara was rumored to be powerful, intelligent, and endowed with a unique ability. The native cocks were so horrified when he crooned upon entering Brunei that they did not crow for several days. [18]
The Majapahit King ordered that if he lost, he would hand over the 40 ships that were loaded with supplies to Brunei; but, if he won, he would receive more of the areas that Brunei currently holds and governs. Another version stated that Brunei would still be Majapahit's vassal state if it lost. For the cockfight in front of the Sultan's Palace, Asmara and Mutiara underwent thorough training. Many people came to see the battle the day it took place. The roosters started pounce, peck, attack, and kick each other as the enthusiastic onlookers cheered them on. Suddenly, Mutiara and Asmara both flew out of the ring. During the altercation, Asmara was stabbed and suffered critical injuries. Asmara disappeared from view, fell into the water unconscious from his wound, and transformed into a rock into an island (Pulau Pilong-Pilongan). When Mutiara attempted to follow, he fell into the river that the King of Majapahit had cursed. (Lumut Lunting), also changed into a rock and an island. Elder Kampong Ayer residents have a saying that Lumut Lunting will never be submerged, no of how high the water level rises. If it does, that portends a negative omen, such as the passing of a king or the happening of an unfortunate event. [18]
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital city of Brunei. It is officially a municipal area with an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 sq mi) and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei-Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district which is home to over 70 per cent of the country's population. It is the country's largest urban centre and nominally the country's only city. The capital is home to Brunei's seat of government, as well as a commercial and cultural centre. It was formerly known as Brunei Town until it was renamed in 1970 in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of the current Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Hassanal Bolkiah is the eldest son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his wife Queen Saleha. He is the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam and is first in the line of succession to the Bruneian throne.
The Sultanate of Brunei or simply Brunei was a Malay sultanate, centred in Brunei on the northern coast of Borneo island in Southeast Asia. Brunei became a sovereign state around the 15th century, when it grew substantially after the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese, extending throughout coastal areas of Borneo and the Philippines, before it declined in the 17th and 18th centuries. The first ruler or sultan of Brunei was a Muslim. It became a British protectorate in the 19th century.
Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam, also known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the tenth Sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598. Under him, the Bruneian Empire had apparently full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.
Kampong Lumut or commonly known as Lumut, is a coastal settlement in Belait District, Brunei, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the district town Kuala Belait. The total population was 11,273 in 2016.
Abdul Malik ibni Hassanal Bolkiah is the third son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah by his first wife, Queen Saleha, thus making him a prince of Brunei. He is also the former Chairman of the Management Committee of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah's Foundation from 1 March 2013 until 28 February 2017.
Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque, is a mosque in Kampong Kiarong of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It is named after Hassanal Bolkiah, the 29th and current Sultan of Brunei. It is one of the two state mosques, the other Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
Adanan bin Yusof, sometimes referred to as Pehin Dato Adanan, is a Bruneian nobleman and politician who served as Minister of Home Affairs (MOHA) from 2005 to 2010, and as Minister of Health from 2010 to 2015, and a current member of the Brunei Legislative Council.
Kampong Tumasek or simply known as Tumasek, is an area in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, as well as a village within Mukim Kianggeh in Brunei-Muara District. The population was 673 in 2016. It has the postcode BA2112.
The orders, decorations, and medals of Brunei consist of Bintang-Bintang Kebesaran and Pingat-Pingat Kehormatan. Both are awarded by the Sultan of Brunei on the basis of merit, especially on the contributions to the country. The investiture of some of the state decorations also include the conferment of titles, whereby they become part of the awardees' personal names in official correspondence or when mentioned in formal media in the country. The decorations and medals are under the responsibility of Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara, a government department under the Prime Minister's Office, which also oversees Bruneian royal traditions and protocol.
The Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is the professional head of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). He is responsible for the overall management, administration, and the operational control of the entire military of Brunei. The current commander is Major general Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan.
Kampong Bolkiah is a village and housing estate in Kampong Ayer, the traditional riverine settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. The total population was 2,143 in 2016.
The Istana Darussalam is the former residence of Omar Ali Saifuddien III and birthplace of Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. The palace is located at Jalan Darussalam, Sumbiling Lama, Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The building has become a tourist attraction and currently under the protection of the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act of the Museums Department.
Cermin Island is an islet at the mouth of Brunei River in the Mukim Kota Batu, Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. During the Brunei Civil War, a battle unfolded on the island and it's sometimes referred to as the Peperangan Pulau Cermin. A proposal for an 5 hectares protection status to be implemented on the island. The island is home to sundry vegetation and swamp forests.
Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah is the eldest daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Saleha.
Pengiran Anak Damit was the Queen consort of Brunei as the wife of the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
Hussain bin Mohammad Yusof, sometimes spelled Hussein, was a Bruneian nobleman and politician who held the position of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) from 1986 to 2005. Notably, he had also served on the Adat Istiadat Council, the Council of Succession, the Council of Cabinet Ministers, and the Privy Council.
Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahim is a nobleman and the prince consort to Princess Rashidah, daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Notably, he is a member of the Privy Council, and the vice chairman of DPMM FC.
The Istana Darul Hana is one of the few remaining palaces in Brunei which notably, is the former residence of Omar Ali Saifuddien III from 1951 to 1987. The palace is located on a hill at Kilometer 3 of Jalan Tutong in Kampong Tumasek, Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. It is sometimes referred to as Istana Lama.
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