Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery

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Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery
Galeri Kebudayaan dan Pelancongan Kampong Ayer
Kampong Ayer 17 December 2023 01.jpg
The gallery in 2023
Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery
Established19 August 2009 (2009-08-19)
Location Kampong Ayer, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Coordinates 4°53′03″N114°56′40″E / 4.8841868°N 114.9444325°E / 4.8841868; 114.9444325
TypeCultural and historical museum
CollectionsArtefacts, traditional tools and clothing, and art
Founder Al-Muhtadee Billah
Owner Tourism Development Department [1]
Website www.tourism.gov.bn

The Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery (KACTG; Malay : Galeri Kebudayaan dan Pelancongan Kampong Ayer) is a museum in Kampong Ayer of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. [2] The gallery features exhibits on its handcrafted goods, including ceramics, woodworking, and weaving. [3]

Contents

Location

Situated in Kampung Lorong Sikuna, the KACTG occupies 565 square feet (52.5 m2). [4] Therefore, taking a water taxi from the Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan to Jetty 1, is the main means of transportation to the gallery. [5] [6]

History

Building construction on KACTG in Kampung Lorong Sikuna began in August 2007 and was completed in June 2009, [4] under the 2007–2012 National Development Plan. [7] Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah officially launched the gallery on 19 August 2009, after it was constructed at an estimated cost of B$3 million. [4] Yahya Bakar highlighted Kampong Ayer as a "must-see" tourist destination in his address, emphasising the gallery's goals of preserving the water village's legacy, reviving cottage businesses, generating employment, and assisting Brunei's economic diversification through tourism. [8]

Exhibit and galleries

The KACTG has an observation tower with expansive views of the surroundings, [8] and it is modelled after a traditional Malay house in Kampong Ayer. [9] [1] Inside, the exhibition has five sections featuring images and artefacts provided by the Museums Department that describe Kampong Ayer's history, customs, and society. A touch screen display offers further details on nearby sites, while a central hexagonal stage showcases traditional Bruneian brocade weaving skills. The gallery, which honours the settlements legacy, has grown to become a landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan. [8] [1]

With displays that span activities from the 10th century to the present, the gallery provides visitors with insights into the evolution, history, and customs of Kampong Ayer. In order to help maintain and preserve the settlement's legacy, the KACTG also acts as a center for promoting regional handicrafts, offering in-person demonstrations, and offering assistance to local business owners. [4]

Events and activities

Temporary exhibitions and events were held at the gallery, such as the "Kampong Ayer Walking Trail" in 2019, [10] Green Horizons: "Sustain and Change" Art Exhibition [11] and "Tourism and Sustainable Investments" Exhibition in 2023, [12] and "Warisan Bruneiku" Exhibition in 2024. [13]

The Tourism Development Department created a walking trail that begins at the gallery and goes through five villages: Kampong Lurong Sikuna, Kampong Setia 'A', Kampong Tamoi Ujung, Kampong Peramu, and Kampong Bakut Berumput. The trail's goal is to promote locally produced goods and services. The settlement's history, customs, and artwork are displayed in the gallery. [5] [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is the capital and largest 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 Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and the father of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brunei–Muara District</span> District of Brunei

Brunei–Muara District or simply known as Brunei–Muara, is the smallest as well as the most populated district in Brunei. It has an area of 571 square kilometres (220 sq mi) and the population of 318,530 as of 2021. The district is also home to its administrative centre is Bandar Seri Begawan, as well as the Brunei International Airport and Muara Port, the country's only international airport and deep-water port respectively. The Brunei River flows within this district and is home to Kampong Ayer. As the administrative center of Brunei is located in the district, it remains the most developed in the country with the most up-to-date infrastructure, despite not being the center of Brunei's main economic activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kampong Ayer</span> Traditional settlement in Brunei

Kampung Ayer is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It comprises neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River near the capital's city centre. It has an area of about 10 square kilometres (3.9 sq mi); the total population was 10,250 in 2016. It has been historically nicknamed 'Venice of the East'.

The administrative divisions of Brunei Darussalam mainly consist of daerah (districts), mukim (sub-districts), and kampung or kampong (villages). They are organised hierarchically in Brunei Darussalam, with daerah being the largest first level, and kampong the smallest third level.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukim Peramu</span> Mukim of Brunei

Mukim Peramu is a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. It is located within Kampong Ayer, the historical stilt settlements on the Brunei River in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 1,111 in 2016.

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References

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  10. Nadhirah (9 May 2019). "The Launch of the Kampong Ayer Walking Trail". Borneo Insider's Guide. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  11. Noor, Adib (1 August 2023). "Local artists shine at Kampong Ayer exhibition". Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  12. Kon, James (1 October 2023). "Green Horizons exhibition opens to promote eco-tourism". Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
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