Brunei 73p1a

Brunei - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette Facts and Statistics Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Population: 381,371 (July 2008 est.) Ethnic Make-up: Malay 66.3%, Chinese 11.2%, indigenous 3.4%, other 19.1% (2004 est.) Religions: Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10% Government: constitutional sultanate Language in Brunei There are a multitude of languages spoken in Brunei. The official language of the state of Brunei is Standard Malay. This came into force on 29th September 1959, with the g of Brunei 1959 Constitution. English is also widely used as a business and working language. It is also the language of instruction in secondary and tertiary education. Other languages spoken in Brunei include the Chinese, Indian and Native languages spoken by the minority ethnic groups. Bruneian Society and Culture The Family The family is the focal point of the social structure. The Bruenian family is the extended family and includes aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as close friends. of the extended family are expected to remain loyal to each other and the family. As a result of this Brunei is a hierarchical culture. Age and position are revered. From a young age, children are taught to subjugate their own desires for the good of the entire family and to respect elders without question. In addition they also learn that it is through family that they accomplish goals. The Concept of Face The role of face, shame and honour is crucial to Bruneians. Consequently they are very polite and well-mannered. Maintaining face is of upmost importance and they do their best not to cause issues or problems which could jeopardize this. In order to maintain face their communication style is very indirect and can come across as somewhat ambiguous to those from a culture where direct communication is the norm. By being indirect Bruneians avoid embarrassing another person, which would cause that person to lose face. Most Bruneians find emotions such as impatience, anger, or irritation embarrassing and try to avoid them since expressing them could result in a loss of face and disharmony. Religion Most Bruneians are Muslims and as such their lives revolve around the duties afforded to them by Islam. Alcohol is banned from the country however pork is allowed for non-Muslims. Gender relations are also governed by Islamic principles and etiquette. Shaking hands across genders is rare.

Bruneians practice a devout but tolerant brand of Islam, which includes devotion, yet allows other faiths and beliefs. Muslims must pray five times a day – at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies as well as government offices also close on Sunday and Saturday afternoon. During the fasting month of Ramadan, government staff works a six-hour day and entertainment and sporting activities are suspended. The Sultan encourages the recital of the Quran each morning prior to the start of work to obtain Allah‟s blessing and guidance. The Monarchy Bruneians are proud to have centuries of royal heritage and to be the only remaining Malay Islamic Monarchy in the world. The Sultan of Brunei comes from a family line that dates back to 1405. In 1967 His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah was made the 29th ruler of Brune and led the country‟s independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. Etiquette and Customs in Brunei Meeting Etiquette o The common greeting depends upon the ethnic origin and the age of the person. o In general, many men you meet will have adopted the western concept of shaking hands, although this is not always the case with older Bruneians or with women. o Ethnic Malay men shake hands with one another, but men and women do not traditionally shake hands. o Younger Bruneians may shake hands with foreign women or they may merely bow their head in greeting. o It is considered respectful to bow your head when someone who is senior to yourself in age or position. o It is considered disrespectful and rude to stare into another person's eyes, particularly those of a person who is senior to you in age or status. Gift Giving Etiquette o If invited to someone's home for dinner bring good quality chocolates or fruit. o Do not give toy dogs to children. o Do not give anything made of pigskin. o If giving foodstuffs ensure there is no gelatine or anything else which is not „halal‟. o Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning. o Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large. o Gifts are generally not opened when received. Dining Etiquette o For the most part, Bruneians do not invite foreigners into their homes. o If you are invited to a Bruneian home, consider it a great honour and testament to your personal relationship. o Punctuality is not strictly adhered to. You may arrive a little late without causing offense. o Shoes are generally removed before entering a house. o Greet the eldest person first. o Wait to be told where to sit. o It is considered good manners to accept an offer of food or a beverage. Turning down hospitality may be viewed as personal rejection. o Wait to be invited to eat before starting. o Food is often served buffet style or on a revolving tray in the centre of the table. o The guest of honor may be served first or the eldest person may. o Do not eat with the left hand, as it is considered unclean. o Eat or food with your right hand only.

o Many Malays eat with their fingers. Alternatively, they may serve cutlery for foreign guests, usually a fork and a tablespoon. o If ing a plate that is heavy, you may use your left hand to your right wrist. o When you are finished eating, place your fork facing downward on your plate with your spoon, also facing downward, crossed over the fork.

Bruneian Business Etiquette and Protocol Meeting and Greeting o Greetings should be formal and demonstrate respect and deference. o It is important to introduce the most important person on your team first. o Handshakes tend to be light. Bruneian men often raise their hands to the heart after shaking hands. o o Most Bruneians do not shake hands with of the opposite sex. o Foreign businesswomen should nod their head in greeting. o Foreign businessmen should wait to see if a Bruneian woman extends her hand first. o Titles are important and can be confusing. Bruneians can have as many as 20 words in their title. o Titles such as “Pengiran” with several different words following it, “Awangku”” and “Dayangku” indicate the person is related to the royal family. o It is acceptable to address someone with a title by their title alone. o Honorific titles are “Awang” for a man and “Dayang” for a woman. The abbreviations for these titles are “Awg” and “Dyg” respectively. o Business cards are typically exchanged after introductions and handshakes. o Present the card with both hands or with the right hand and the left hand ing the right hand. o Give a business card to each person you meet. o Examine any business card you receive before putting it in your business card case. o The respect you show someone's business card is considered to be indicative of the respect you will show the person in business. o It is considered a breach of etiquette to write on a person‟s business card in their presence. Communication Style Bruneian communication is formal and respectful, especially to those senior in age or position. Hierarchy is revered, so older businesspeople should be greeted before younger ones. As in much of Asia, group harmony is vital. Therefore, the communication style tends to be indirect and somewhat ambiguous. This is done to avoid embarrassing someone or causing either party to lose face. If you are from a more

direct culture, you may find the use of evasive responses or insincere yeses frustrating. Most Bruneians find emotions such as impatience, anger, or irritation embarrassing and try to avoid them. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the foreigner to refrain form showing his/her inner feelings. Bruneians commonly ask what would be considered intrusive personal questions such as about wages or the like. If you are uncomfortable discussing such matters, it is important to handle the matter diplomatically so neither party loses face. Such conversations are meant to get to know you as a person, they are not meant to make you uncomfortable. Tone of voice, body language, eye and facial expression can often be more important than what is actually said. Therefore, it is important to observe the person as they speak.

Gulingtangan Music of Brunei Brunei is a southeast Asian country located on Borneo between the states of Sabah and Sarawak which are part of Malaysia. There is a wide array of native folk music, and dance. Brunei shares some Cultural perspectives and links with the countries of South East Asia such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines. Although Brunei has similarities with others, there are significant differences in of culture and heritage including its folk music, folk dance, and folk stories. The strong Islamic influence means that dance performances and music are somewhat restricted. Folk music Adai-adai is a group work song sung by fisherpeople while they fished. Another folk dance is the Benari, or Joget Baju Putih, performed during numerous festivals. It is usually performed by three men and three women. Kedayan music Aduk-Aduk is a ceremonial dance performed by the Kedayan people during holidays, especially at the end of the harvest season. Dancers wear traditional warrior's attire, in tengkolok, red belt and black clothing, and dance to the beat of silat, a Malay martial art. This dance is accompanied by percussion instruments, including drums and coconut shells.[1] Malay music The Malay population are known for the Jipin or Zapin dance, performed by six men and women, accompanied by instruments that include the gambus dan biola, dombak and rebana. Gongs like the Guling tangan (a set of small gongs), duck gongs and other styles are played. Malay folk music is played by accomplished musicians at special feats and celebrations. Responsive singing is sometimes performed at weddings, with the guests ing in [2]. The song "Alus Jua Dindang" is also an important part of Bruneian wedding music; in it, the groom (who, in a traditional wedding does not know the bride beforehand), flatters and declares his devotion to his new wife [3].

The troupe from Brunei performs the Senandung Budaya, a lively retelling of traditional stories. Brunei Dances Brunei dance is a part of Brunei-Society and Culture. Brunei has a wide variety of folk music and native dance forms. The various dance forms of Brunei are mentioned below:  Alus Jua Dindang - It is a traditional dance song accompanied by song and is usually performed during wedding ceremonies. The dance and the song is carried by both male and female dancers.  Aduk-Aduk- It is a popular dance form of the natives and is generally performed during any festive occasion, mainly to celebrate the end of harvesting season. The dancers are generally clad in their traditional attires of warriors and dance in tune with music and movement of silat.  Jipin Dance- It is the Malay folk dance and is accompanied by various songs namely the Yadan llahi, Hujan Lari and Yadan Lancang Kuning. The tempo of the songs adds zing to the dance performance.

Hassanal Bolkiah