Guide To Hetalia ASEAN Fanfic: Brunei Darussalam

Jumaat: The 7 Indigenous Ethnic Groups

One day, the Axis were bored and decided to learn something new and became tourists to Brunei so the 4 districts (Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong) decided to teach them a lesson about it.

Brunei-Muara: Hello! This week's lesson is all about the indigenous ethnic groups in Brunei.

Germany: WHAT THE HECK IS THIS "INDIGENOUS ETHNIC GROUP" YOU'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT!?

Tutong: An indigenous ethnic group is a group of people who have a common history, culture and language. They identify with each other because of a shared experience that has developed over hundreds of years. This experience gives them a shared common identify and sense of belonging

Belait: Indigenous ethnic people are those who lived in a specific place from earliest times.

Temburong: The groups in Brunei were traditionally located at different places in the country. Today, this is no seriously longer true, because these groups are well-mixed together as they have moved around due to education, employment and government resettlement schemes.

Japan: Can you share us some of the groups' cultures and traditions?

Temburong: Sure. Brunei- Muara will explain what the first groups who live in her district.

Brunei-Muara: Thanks, Temburong.
There are about 3 indigenous ethnic groups who are originally live in my district.

Firstly, in the past, the Brunei Malays were settled mainly along the Brunei River and were excellent fishermen, sailors and traders. The Brunei Malays used to have women traders paddling their boats and selling their goods around the water village. These women traders were called the 'padian'.

Me: Well, there's no padians anymore since there's Tamu Kianggeh.

Brunei-Muara: The Brunei Malays are famous for their traditional cloth-weaving. Their traditional skill is passed down from one generation to the next. The designs have also survived many centuries. The most well-known and famous is the Jong Sarat.

Me: Don't ask me, people. I don't know how to do weaving cloths even though I'm Brunei Malay. Just go and ask Bandar Seri Begawan to teach you how to cloth-weaving. She's a pro, lah.

Brunei-Muara: Although the Brunei Malays related to Malys elsewhere and share the same Islamic religion, there are many cultural and language differences. For example:

Good manners and respect for elders is very important. They have respectful terms of address. For example, "tua" is used to address the eldest uncle and aunty. "Tangah" is used for middle uncles and auties. "Bongsu" is used to address their youngest uncle or aunty.

The Kedayans traditionally used to settle in my district and they developed a language of their own. In the past, they were mainly paddy farmers and fishermen. In the Kedayan villages, the houses were built in the centre with fields surrounding them. They had reputation for knowledge of medicinal plants which they would use to treat many illnesses and injuries and to make tonics. The Kedayans have an annual traditional festival called 'makan taun'. It is a ceremony to celebrate good harvests and build strong relationships in the village. Special food and gifts would be prepared for guests and traditional games such as 'gasing' (top spinning) competitions were held among the community.

And lastly, the Bisayas in my district near the border of the Limbang District in Sarawak. They have cultures and languages almost similar to the Dusun people. Sama tapi inda serupa.

They used to plant bith wet and hilly paddy, as well as other crops like chillies, maize, cucumbers, pumpinks, yams, bitter gourds (bitter fruits which is often used in cooking such as soup and in traditional medicine systems), and various fruits. The men are skilled in carpentry and woodcraving while the women are skilled in local traditional cuisine and help gather ferns, fruits, and medicinal plants.

Tutong: MAI TURN, BRU-MU! The Tutong people live mostly in my district. They also have their own language. When you're in my district, there is a special traditional wedding ceremony called the "Basuh Kaki". The married couple's feet are placed on top of a sharpening stone and machete.....

Italy: MACHETE? WHAT??? 😬😨😱

Germany: *midunderstood* YOU MADE ITALY PARANOID, TITONG!!!

Tutong: IT'S TUTONG, BODOH!!! 😡😠

Brunei-Muara: What da....😪😓

Belait: OH MAI!!! 😆😝😂 SO AMUSING SITUATION.

Temburong: Ouch

Germany: Whatever, Tudung. Continue your lecture, professor TWINTONG.

Tutong: CAN YOU STOP CALLING ME THAT SHITS!?

Me: P/S: Tudung -a Maly word for hijab.

Germany: Blah, OK. Continue...

Tudong: Well, I'm not kidding Germany. Water is then poured by the members of both families on their feet to bless them with good luck, money, gifts and well-wishes.

In the past, the Dusuns lived in the hills and uplands valleys of Tasek Merimbun in my district. They collected jungle products, fished in the nearby rivers, grew rice and traded peacefully with other villages. Just like the other groups, they also have their own language.

The Dusuns have a great love and passion for their music. Their music and dances are played in all ceremonies, from births to weddings and to sad events such as funerals.

Japan: Uh, weirdo.

Germany: SHADDAP, JAPAN.

Tutong: They have a harvest festival called Adau Gayoh which is celebrated every year on 1st May. During this festival, the Dusuns invite relatives and friends to visit them. They also perform traditional dances and games during the festival.

Belait: The Belait people live in the inland part of my district. In the past, they used the Belait river as their main form of transportation.

Italy: No roads?

Belait In that past, yes because most of them live deep in the forest. They speak their language, have their own rich traditional dances, folk songs and musical instruments. They also very skilled artisans and are able to use their traditional skills to produce handicraft, textiles, handbags, lamps, home utensils and even modern items with traditional design.

Temburong: Last but not least, the Muruts live in my district. They used to cultivate paddy and tapioca. The Murut Men wear colourful head gear called Sigar as well as vests made from tree bark while women wear black costumes decorated with colourful beads.

Brunei-Muara: The peace and harmony between the indigenous ethnic groups provide an example of how understanding, tolerance and unity are important for Brunei.

Me: I'm bored. Check out this pic:

I'm going to ship them: SportaStephanie!!

(It's weird I ship them because Stephanie's an 8 years old character while Sportacus's an adult lol)

See you later...