Galeri Kebudayaan dan Pelancongan Kampong Ayer | |
Established | 19 August 2009 |
---|---|
Location | Kampong Ayer, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
Coordinates | 4°53′03″N114°56′40″E / 4.8841868°N 114.9444325°E |
Type | Cultural and historical museum |
Collections | Artefacts, 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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.
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.
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.
Mukim Kota Batu is a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. The population was 12,935 in 2016. The mukim is home to some of the country's museums and historical sites, in particular in Kota Batu.
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.
Mukim Sungai Kedayan was a mukim in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei. It was located within Kampong Ayer, the historical stilt settlements on the Brunei River in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 230 in 2016.
Pusat Bandar is the city centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It is home to a number of national landmarks, important government offices, and commercial and financial establishments.
The Malay Technology Museum is a museum in Kota Batu of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The museum's main objective is to present early Brunei's technical practices, which provide insight into the way of life of the country's inhabitants, who lived in both the water town and on dry ground.
Kampong Pancha Delima is a village in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, and a neighbourhood in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 1,562 in 2016. It is one of the villages within Mukim Berakas 'A'. The postcode is BB4513.
Kampong Madang is a village in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, as well as a neighbourhood in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 1,231 in 2016. It is one of the villages within Mukim Berakas 'B'. The postcode is BC3715.
The Kianggeh River is a small tributary of the Brunei that flows through Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.
Kampong Tanjong Bunut or simply known as Tanjong Bunut, is a village in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, on the outskirts of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 2,754 in 2021. It is one of the villages within Mukim Kilanas. The postcode is BF2920.
Kampong Pengiran Siraja Muda Delima Satu is a village in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, and a neighbourhood in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 2,354 in 2016. It is one of the villages within Mukim Berakas 'A'. The postcode is BB5113.
Kampong Tasek Meradun or simply known as Tasek Meradun, is a village in Brunei-Muara District, Brunei, as well as a neighbourhood in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan. The population was 400 in 2016. It is one of the villages within Mukim Kilanas. The postcode is BF1520.
Kampong Menunggol or simply Menunggol, is a village situated on Berambang Island of Mukim Kota Batu along the banks of the Brunei River, relatively distant from Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city. Access to the village is primarily via a five-minute boat ride from the Kampong Menunggol jetty to the city centre. The village, which consists of two sections, Menunggol Laut and Menunggol Tengah, covers an area of 9.5 square kilometres and has a population of 548 people, predominantly of Malay descent, specifically from the Kedayan people.
Saeh Hill, is a hill in Mukim Lumapas, Brunei-Muara District of Brunei. The Bukit Saeh Recreational Park also exists in nearby Kampong Lumapas 'A'. The hill is known for activities such as hiking and sometimes Jungle Rescue Course for search and rescue.
Kampong Sultan Lama was a neighbourhood in Kampong Ayer, the riverine stilt settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It was officially a village subdivision under Sungai Kedayan, a mukim (subdistrict) of Brunei–Muara District.
Kampong Sumbiling Lama is a neighbourhood in Kampong Ayer, the riverine stilt settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. It was officially a village subdivision under Sungai Kedayan, a mukim (subdistrict) of Brunei–Muara District. The village's name originated from the division of Kampong Sumbiling into two sections, one of which became Kampong Sumbiling Baru.
The Dermaga Diraja Bandar Seri Begawan, simply known as the Royal Wharf, is a 1.8 hectares waterfront site located in Bandar Seri Begawan. Originally known as the Royal Customs and Excise Wharf, it has a rich history as both a port and an entry point for passengers and imported goods arriving by sea. The significance of this wharf, along with the former customs building, lies in its role as a historic gateway to Brunei. This importance was further emphasised with major renovations completed in April 2011, solidifying its status as the primary port of entry for both passengers and cargo. During the early 1950s, trade between Brunei and other countries saw substantial growth, further highlighting the wharf’s crucial role in the nation’s economy.