The 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 on Monday at the Lapau ceremonial hall in the capital, 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 Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik were greeted upon arrival by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, accompanied with officials carrying royal regalia.
Court musicians then entered, bearing traditional musical instruments such as Serunai or flutes, and Gendang Labik or two-headed drums.
The ceremony commenced with Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan seeking consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga was in place to proceed.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris in turn informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the ceremony was ready to proceed.
As soon as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince signaled for the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga to commence, Juru Laki sought consent and proceeded to the Patarana or royal dais to lift the Nakara, a ceremonial kettle drum, and bore it upon his head.
Juru Laki then walked to the designated place, and placed the Nakara in between the two Gendang Labik.
The Nakara was then beaten rhythmically, followed by the drumming of the 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.
Doa Selamat was read by Syarie High Court Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Salim bin Haji Besar.
Juru Laki then sought consent, and bore the Nakara on his head, returning it to the original position at the Patarana. The other court musicians, meanwhile, also sought consent to leave the ceremony.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan then sought consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the 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 the Crown Prince that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga had been conducted
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik then departed the ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony were 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, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of Department. – Azlan Othman
