Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga, or the opening of the playing of traditional musical instruments by royal court musicians, in conjunction with the royal wedding of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, was held yesterday at Lapau ceremonial hall in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
The event served as a curtain-raiser for the royal wedding ceremonies and celebratory events.
On arrival, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik were greeted by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar, accompanied with officials carrying royal regalia.
Court musicians then entered the hall, bearing traditional musical instruments such as serunai (flutes), and gendang labik (two-headed drums).
The event commenced with Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof seeking consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the ceremony was set to proceed.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, in turn, informed His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah that the ceremony was ready to proceed.
Once His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah signalled for Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga to commence, Juru Laki (high-ranking male court official) sought consent and proceeded to the patarana (royal dais) to lift the nakara, a ceremonial kettle drum, and bore it upon his head.
Juru Laki then walked to the designated spot, where the nakara was placed between the two gendang labik.
The nakara was then beaten rythmically, followed by the drumming of gendang labik and the playing of the serunai accompanied by the gong and chanang.
Every beating of the nakara was accompanied by a cannon shot of up to 21 rounds.
A Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
Juru Laki then sought consent, and bore the nakara on his head, returning it to the original position at the royal dais.
The other court musicians, meanwhile, sought consent to leave the ceremony.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan then sought consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga had been carried out.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, in turn, informed His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah that Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga had been conducted.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik then departed the ceremonial hall.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet ministers, members of Councils, deputy ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang and Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, members of diplomatic corps and heads of departments under the ministries were among the attendees. – Azlan Othman
