Majlis Istiadat Menghantar Tanda Diraja dan Pertunangan Diraja and Majlis Istiadat Menerima Tanda Diraja dan Pertunangan Diraja to formally declare the engagement of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah binti Adam were held at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.
The ceremony involving the royal groom’s delegation conveying gifts and articles to the royal bride’s side took place in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik at the Banquet Hall of Istana Nurul Iman.
The ceremony commenced when Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar that the ceremony was ready to begin.
The latter then informed His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik who subsequently instructed for the ceremony to commence.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik instructed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim bin Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj to lead the royal groom’s delegation to the royal bride’s side with gifts, in line with Brunei’s royal wedding traditions.
The delegation included Tanda Diraja – a young girl adorned in full Malay traditional bridal dress, as well as pengaluan (bracelets), geronchong (anklets), earrings, and serondoh (headgear decorated with flowers) – accompanied by Pengarah Awang Murni, and Pertunangan Diraja – a young girl wearing traditional Malay bridal dress accesorised with pengaluan, geronchong, a kanching (a type of latch), puntu azimat (amulet) and jamang (traditional circlet) – accompanied by Pemutus Tali Jintong.
Awang-Awang of the royal groom’s delegation, meanwhile, carried gangsa (ceremonial trays) of articles, including Surat Mahar – a letter stating the intention of betrothal of the royal groom to the royal bride and listing the items brought as berian (engagement gifts) as well as gifts such as a set of dress, a pair of bangles, a pair of earrings, two rings, ceramai, kelakati and knife.
They also carried 16 dian (royal ceremonial candles) and royal regalia decorations such as sinipit, pedang and perisai (sword and shield), tumbak benderangan (lance) and kabok and panastan.
The delegation, which also included several Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet ministers, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Ugama, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang and Manteri-Manteri Darat, proceeded to Baitur Rahmah of Istana Nurul Iman, where they presented the gifts to the royal bride’s side.
At the royal bride’s side, Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jaafar bin Haji Abdul Aziz, representing the royal bride’s father Awang Adam bin Abdullah, welcomed the royal groom’s delegation.
After conveying the instructions given by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim presented the gifts for the royal bride.
Expressing his gratitude, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit acknowledged and received the betrothal. A 17-gun salute was fired outside Istana Nurul Iman to mark the royal engagement.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit later instructed Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Pahlawan Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Mohd Jaafar to escort the group of Awang-Awang carrying Tanda Diraja and other gifts to Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman where the women guests were waiting.
Tanda Diraja was welcomed at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana by Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Siti, who instructed the gifts to be transferred to a different ceremonial tray by 16 Dayang-Dayang who moved into the hall to replace the Awang-Awang.
Meanwhile, a Doa Selamat was read by Begawan Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustapa to mark the acceptance of the gifts by the royal bride.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim and the delegation then returned to the Banquet Hall and informed His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik that the ceremony had been completed. A Doa Selamat was then read by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
The royal wedding ceremonies of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah will continue tonight with Majlis Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja. – Rokiah Mahmud
