Guide To Hetalia ASEAN Fanfic: Brunei Darussalam

목요일: Just for your information

Topic: Social customs and traditions in Brunei

Brunei became an Islamic nation in the 14th century when its first ruler, Awang Alak Betatar embraced the Islamic faith and changed his name to Sultan Muhammad Shah.

Since then, the religion has influenced the country's culture, customs and traditions and the co-existence of Islam and ethnic cultural influences in the daily lives of locals have been passed down through the generations which now define Bruneian hospitality.

The Adat Istiadat Department serves to preserve the religious protocol and dress code of royal ceremonies.

The Malay customs, culture and traditions even up until today, can be observed in a Brunei Malay wedding, which is a unique heritage to the country.

Traditional woven material known as 'Kain Tenunan', along with silver or bronze trays called 'Gangsa' are used to exchange as gifts between the bride and groom and many more similarly intricate and beautiful Malay traditions are still practised in modern Brunei.

At the same time, traditional values such as communication etiquette when dealing with one another or during official functions and events are not lost even while the country and its people are steadily progressing and modernising.

For example, a common courtesy for one is to bend slightly when walking past an elderly person, and while it is a custom for Bruneians to eat with their fingers instead of using utensils, it is also common to gently touch the plate with right hand to respectfully turn down an offer when one is not in the mood to sample the food.

Shaking hands is considered the norm in any business setting, but here in Brunei, it is not a customary practice between Muslims of opposite genders and public displays of affection such as kissing and hugging are also very much frowned upon.

There are other polite ways of gesturing to someone such as by calling their names or pointing at a particular object or direction by using one's thumb instead of the index finger.

Pssttt, adapted from Borneo Bulletin Yearbook 2016.