Cheteria

The Cheteria are a group of royal dignitaries within the Sultanate of Brunei whose position ranks below the Wazir (Vizier) but above the Manteri. Each carry specialised tasks and report directly to the Sultan of Brunei. The Cheteria hierarchy is structured around what is known as the Four Fold system which expands up to 32 folds. The title of Cheteria are only bestowed upon the Pengiran, especially to the caste of Pengiran known as the Pengiran Peranakan. ^[1] The awarding of such titles are held in a ceremony called "mengangkat". ^[2]

History

The word Cheteria likely derives from the name of the Kshatriya warrior caste in Hinduism. These Bruneian traditional officials, who were part of the second class of officials in the country's traditional administration, were crucial to the state's decision-making process. In contrast to the Wazir, who were solely picked from the core aristocracy, they were recited from both the core and common nobility. The Pengiran Shahbandar Sahibul Bandar, traditionally function as the minister of commerce, was the highest-ranking representative in this group. Currently all ranks of Cheteria are primarily drawn from Brunei's nobility. ^[3]

Majapahit's dominance started to decline in the early 15th century, and Brunei became an independent nation in 1408. Despite Brunei's independence from Majapahit, Javanese Hindu-Buddhism had a significant cultural effect that is still visible in modern Brunei, particularly in social norms and the established governmental structure. ^[4] An example of this are the titles of Indera (derived from Indra) ^[5] and Maharaja (vassal kings with little possessions). ^[6]

Functions

Although titles are still awarded today, the functions that they entail have changed to reflect the needs of the contemporary political structure. For instance, Pengiran Anak Abdul Wahab, the former bearer of the noble title Pengiran Kerma Negara, which is the chief of defence, is a pensioner who once worked in the Land Department. ^[7] On another note, the nomination of traditional officials persists even though the contemporary administrative system has practically superseded the ancient political system. In addition to serving ceremonially, these officers serve as a conduit between the Sultan and his subjects, advising him on issues that impact the country as a whole. ^[8]

Hierarchy

In Bruneian society, a person's position and status are indicated by a variety of characteristics. A royal court or state function's seating arrangement is one method. In seating configurations, di atas (upper) and di bawah (lower) are used as measurements. The top end, which is often the farthest from the door, is occupied by those of greatest status. The remaining guests are placed near the entrance in decreasing order of rank. Gradations of precedence may also be shown by a person's sitting arrangement, whereby those on the right are sat higher than those on the left. ^[9]

The title has been awarded to the authorities permanently. Even after passing away, the titleholder would continue be in possession of the title. It is common for officials to be promoted to a higher position within the same office and given a different title, nevertheless. The title may be inherited, as an official's successor may take office with the same title as his forebear. On the other hand, there are instances where the sons of officials are sworn in with titles that differ from their dads. ^[10]

The sub-viziers, referred to as the Cheteria in the local dialect, were placed in 4, 8, 16, and 32 ranks. To supplement, nevertheless, other positions were made inside the division. For example, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah appointed one Additional Cheteria Under Cheteria 4 rank and two Additional Cheteria Under Cheteria 16 rank. These aristocratic officials can be identified by their ceremonial costumes during royal ceremonies. ^[11] The Kepala Cheteria maintains the highest rank. In general, however, the number of positions within each Cheteria level follows the number of the level e.g.; the Cheteria 8 would consist of eight positions and Cheteria 32 of thirty-two positions. An exception to this would be the Kepala Cheteria of which there are two ranks, and the Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 4 and 16 ranks of which; there is one Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 4 and two Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 16. ^[2]

There are several levels within the Cheteria group: ^{[12] [2]}

• Kepala Cheteria
• Cheteria 4
• Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 4
• Cheteria 8
• Cheteria 16
• Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 16
• Cheteria 32

Title and styling

Main article: Malay styles and titles

Every individual who is bestowed with the position of Cheteria are given a unique title and referred to with the honorific style Yang Amat Mulia (The Glorious). ^[13] For example; for someone who is awarded the title Pengiran Kesuma Negara which is a position in the Cheteria 8, would be fully styled as Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kesuma Negara, followed by another title (if any) and then real name. ^[14]

Court uniform and dress

Invested officials' ceremonial attire during royal court events indicates their position. Certain authorities use traditional woven cloths with certain colors and designs as part of their ceremonial attire. Umbrellas and personal standards are also employed as concrete indicators of rank. Some leaders' personal standards serve as pretty accurate markers of their position and level of authority. The state flag is flown by average residents, whereas those descended from nobles have their own standards. The traditional officials' ceremonial attire and personal standard have a similar colour. The highest ranks of Brunei society are the only ones who wear umbrellas as a symbol of their position. ^[15]

The dress code for any royal court occasion determined the dress code based on the wearer's status and the time of the event. According to their position, traditional or royal dignitaries used various kinds, patterns, styles, motifs, and colors of traditional dastar and arat (belt). Every male dignitary has a keris with them. Only the Cheteria, the traditional noble officials, are outfitted in ceremonial dress costumes for royal court events. Every level of the Cheteria's traditional textiles has the same pattern and design, but rank is distinguished by a change in colour. The fabric features a Jong sarat pattern embroidered with the flying fox motif, or bunga cheteria bersiku keluang. The Chief Cheteria is dark purple, followed by the secondary Cheteria 4 is light purple, the Cheteria 8 is orange, the Cheteria 16 is blue, the Cheteria 32 is pink, and the Additional Cheteria Under Cheteria 4 is green with red stripes. ^[16]

Copper, silver, and gold items used in royal ceremonies reveal the rank and identity of the owner. Items such as the keris (Malay dagger) and kaskol (gold betel container) ^[17] were given to royal dignitaries who received the title of Wazir, Cheteria, and Manteri. The kaskol is only given to the Wazir and Kepala Cheteria while Cheteria-Cheteria and Manteri-Manteri such as Pehin Dato Perdana Manteri and Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong received the silver-born tipa (container or vessel to store betel and its seasonings). ^[18] While copper-born tipa was granted for the other officials. ^[19]

In Brunei, dignitaries fly their own flag or standard in place of the national one. The person's rank determines the colour of the flag. The Perdana Wazir is white, whereas the Sultan's personal flag is yellow. Other dignitaries fly a purple flag, including Cheteria 4. Additionally, the flag's colour matches the royal court's ceremonial attire. ^[20]

• Ceremonial uniforms of Cheteria-Cheteria
• 
  Cheteria 8, Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 4 and Cheteria 4
• 
  Pengiran Anak Idris, Cheteria 4
• 
  Pengiran Bahrin, Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 16
• 
  Pengiran Hamdan, Cheteria 32

Cheteria-cheteria

The list of Cheteria is as of 12 May 2023. ^[12]

Cheteria [21]	Hierarchy	Incumbent	Predecessor
Pengiran Perdana Cheteria Laila Diraja Sahibun Nabalah	Kepala Cheteria	Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Perdana Chateria Laila Diraja Sahibun Nabalah Pengiran Haji Damit bin Pengiran Metussin
Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar	Office established
Pengiran Maharaja Lela Sahibul Kahar	Cheteria 4	Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Lela Sahibul Kahar Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammad Yusof ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam
Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib (Pengiran Paduka Tuan Sahibul Karib)		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar	Yang Amat MuliaPengiran Paduka Tuan Sahibul Karib Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Muhammad Salleh II
Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad (Pengiran Maharaja Adinda Sahibul Fikri)		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim bin Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr.) Kemaludin Al-Haj	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Haji Damit bin Pengiran Anak Sabtu
Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Sahibul Bandar (Pengiran Shahbandar Sahibul Bandar)		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Sahibul Bandar Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ali bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad Daud
Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja	Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 4	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Retired) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong	Yang Amat MuliaPengiran Sanggamara Diraja Pengiran Anak Haji Chuchu bin Pengiran Anak Mohd. Salleh
Pengiran Indera Mahkota	Cheteria 8	Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr.) Kemaluddin Al-Haj ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd. Yassin
Pengiran Setia Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Muhammad Yusof bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim
Pengiran Putera Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Putera Negara Pengiran Haji Umar bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong
Pengiran Indera Negara		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Puteh ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Tahiruddin bin Pengiran Anak Saifuddin
Pengiran Negara Indera		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Kesuma Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kesuma Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Chuchu Besar ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Muda Haji Hashim
Pengiran Sura Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir bin Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr.) Kemaludin Al-Haj
Pengiran Siraja (Seri Raja) Muda		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Maharaja Anakda	Cheteria 16	Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Anakda Pengiran Haji Ahmad ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd. Yassin
Pengiran Kesuma Indera		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Jaya Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim
Pengiran Kerma Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Wahab bin Pengiran Sabtu Kamaluddin
Pengiran Kerma Indera		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Indera Pengiran Anak Tajuddin bin Pengiran Haji Momin
Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Diraja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Haji Ismail
Pengiran Dewa Negara		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Maharaja		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Seri Maharaja Pengiran Anak Omar Ali ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman
Pengiran Kerma Raja		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Kerma Raja Pengiran Haji Kamarulzaman bin Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Pengiran Haji Ali	Unknown
Pengiran Derma Wangsa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Derma Putera		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Derma Putera Pengiran Haji Damit bin Pengiran Anak Sabtu
Pengiran Jaya Kesuma		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Jaya Indera		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Indera Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh bin Pengiran Haji Rajid
Pengiran Seri Rama		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Dewa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Maharaja Dewa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana	Cheteria Tambahan di Bawah Cheteria 16	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Mokhtar Puteh bin Pengiran Haji Rajid
Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Laila Kanun Diraja Pengiran Haji Bahrin bin Pengiran Haji Abbas	Office established
Pengiran Dewa Maharaja	Cheteria 32	Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Kerma Dewa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Indera Dewa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Lela		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Ratna		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Utama		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Negara		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Derma Wijaya		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Setia Raja		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Raja Pengiran Haji Jaya bin Pengiran Haji Rajid
Pengiran Lela Negara		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Negara Pengiran Haji Mohammad ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman
Pengiran Paduka Ratna		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Paduka Raja		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Mahawangsa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Jaya Perkasa		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Perkasa Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd. Hassan bin Pengiran Sabtu Kamaluddin
Pengiran Ratna Indera		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Ratna Negara		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Indera Perkasa		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Perkasa Pengiran Haji Hamdan bin Pengiran Haji Ismail	Unknown
Pengiran Laila Raja		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Pengiran Laila Raja Pengiran Haji Buntar bin Pengiran Mohammad Ja'afar
Pengiran Setia Jaya		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Jaya Pengiran Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin bin Pengiran Othman
Pengiran Ratna Wangsa		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wangsa Pengiran Haji Metussin bin Pengiran Abdul Rahman Piut
Pengiran Lela Perkasa		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Perkasa Pengiran Haji Mohd Said bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar
Pengiran Lela Wijaya		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Wijaya Pengiran Haji Yussof bin Pengiran Limbang
Pengiran Kerma Wijaya		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Jaya Petra		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Petra Pengiran Haji Ahmad bin Pengiran Luba
Pengiran Paduka Dewa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Paduka Indera		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Paduka Indera Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar bin Pengiran Mohammad
Pengiran Seri Indera		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad
Pengiran Ratna Wijaya		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Ratna Wijaya Brigadier General (Retired) Pengiran Haji Hasnan bin Pengiran Ahmad	Unknown
Pengiran Indera Wijaya		Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Wijaya Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Ismail bin Pengiran Haji Damit	Unknown
Pengiran Seri Wijaya		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Seri Wijaya Pengiran Haji Ahmad bin Pengiran Mohd. Yusof
Pengiran Ratna Perkasa		Vacant	Unknown
Pengiran Lela Utama		Vacant	Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Utama Pengiran Haji Mohd. Said bin Pengiran Ahmad

See also

• Wazir
• Manteri
• Council of Cabinet Ministers

References

1. Mohd. Jamil Al-Sufri 2002, p. 14–15.
2. Mohd. Jamil Al-Sufri 2002, p. 20.
3. Sidhu 2009, p. 58.
4. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 31.
5. Gallop, Annabel Teh (2002). Malay Seal Inscriptions: A Study in Islamic Epigraphy from Southeast Asia. University of London. p. 154.
6. "Maharaja | Indian Ruler, Royalty & Monarch | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
7. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 52.
8. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 42.
9. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 45.
10. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 53.
11. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 41.
12. "Wazir dan Cheteria" (PDF). www.adat-istiadat.gov.bn (in Malay). 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
13. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 48.
14. Mohd. Jamil Al-Sufri 2002, p. 575–579.
15. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 49–50.
16. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 178.
17. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. xv.
18. Traditional Handicraft of Brunei Darussalam (PDF) (in Malay). Information Department. 2018. p. 78. ISBN   99917-49-29-2.
19. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (2014). Sejarah Sosio-Budaya Kraftangan di Brunei Darussalam: Barangan Logam dan Kain Tenunan (PDF) (in Malay). Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah. p. 35.
20. Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah 2005, p. 57.
21. "Pendekatan Mengenai Istiadat Mengurniakan Gelaran Di Negara Brunei Darussalam" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). 2004-07-14. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-05-24.

• Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (2005). Traditional Woven Textiles: Tradition and Identity Construction in the 'New State' of Brunei Darussalam (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Western Australia . Retrieved 2024-08-23.
• Mohd. Jamil Al-Sufri (2002). Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Adat Istiadat Negara. pp. 14–15. ISBN   9991734228.
• Sidhu, Jatswan S. (2009-12-22). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.