Brunei Royal Wedding 2015: Gendang Jaga-Jaga

‘Gendang Jaga-Jaga’ for Royal Wedding Begins
Posted date: April 07, 2015

| Aziz Idris |

A ROYAL 21-gun salute reverberated in the Brunei capital yesterday, marking the opening of the ‘Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga’ for the royal wedding between His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Dayangku Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, represented His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the ceremony at the Lapau.

Accompanying HRH the Crown Prince were His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

On hand to welcome Their Royal Highnesses were YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar and YAM Pengiran Seri Wijaya Pengiran Haji Ahmad bin Pengiran Mohd Yusof.

The ceremony displayed the richness of Brunei’s Royal Regalia and age-old customs used for heralding special occasions such as the royal wedding.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (representing His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam); His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen during the ‘Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga’ for the royal wedding between His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Dayangku Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen arrive at the Lapau Ceremonial Hall

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen

Proceedings during the ceremony, which displayed the richness of Brunei’s royal regalia and age-old cus-toms

The ‘Nakara’ (drum), a traditional music instrument, being carried across the hall as guests look on


A performance by the royal court musicians to mark the ‘Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga’ (Nightly Vigil)

The ‘Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga’ event yesterday marked the official commencement of the ‘Musim Istiadat Diraja’ (Season of Royal Festivities)

The ‘Bintang Petian’

Cabinet ministers during yesterday’s ceremony. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI & DEAN KASSIM

The ceremony commenced with Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud informing YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the ceremony was ready to proceed upon the approval of HRH the Crown Prince.

Upon the approval of HRH the Crown Prince with a sabda, the ‘Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga’ began with high ranking male court officials or ‘Ketua Juru Laki’ entering the ceremonial hall and heading towards the Patarana to beat the ‘Nakara’ (drum), which is one of the traditional instruments played by the royal court musicians during the occasion.

This was followed by the royal orchestra performance or ‘Nobat Diraja’ by the royal court musicians. The performance saw the beating of the ‘Nakara’, serenaded with the melody from the ‘Serunai’, a type of wind instrument, beating of the ‘Labik’, a cylindrical drum and also the ‘Gongs’ and ‘Chanang’. The royal orchestra was accompanied by a 21-cannon blast that echoed around the Lapau building.

The ceremony concluded with a Doa Selamat read by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, followed by the departure of the royal entourage to the home of the royal bride at Kampong Beribi.

The royal wedding continues today with the ‘Istiadat Menghantar Tanda Pertunangan Diraja’ ceremony (whereby the groom’s delegation will bring the gifts to the bride’s house) and ‘Istiadat Menerima Tanda Pertunangan Diraja’ ceremony (to formally certify the betrothal of the groom to the bride) at Istana Nurul Iman.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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Note

Gendang Jaga-Jaga is a very important part of Royal Customs of Brunei. Gendang means drum and Jaga-Jaga means to be alert or to keep vigil.

The ‘opening’ of Gendang Jaga-Jaga denotes the beginning of Period of Istiadat Diraja (also known as Musim Istiadat Diraja) which ends when the Gendang Jaga-Jaga is ‘closed’ or the Prayer of Thanks is read. All the ceremonies that fall within this period of Istiadat. During that period, dignitaries and family members of the bride and groom keep a vigil at the palace until midnight.

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