Rokiah Mahmud
The Sultanate witnessed the Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar ibni His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.
His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced the ceremony.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman were also present.
Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah and other members of the royal family.
Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz, the bride’s mother and the royal family of Pahang and Johor, also attended.
The ceremony began with Awang-Awang lighting the dian empat or four ceremonial candles, followed by two Awang-Awang carrying kasur and namat – a cushion wrapped in yellow cloth placed on a mat at the centre of dian empat.
Next, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja was ready, who in turn informed His Majesty.
His Majesty then instructed Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and the wives of state dignitaries to proceed to the Pengangunan Pengantin Diraja and invite the royal bride, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah to Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.
The royal bride then entered Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and led by the 40 Awang-Awang carrying sinipit (spears), followed by Juru Bini Hajah Rokiah and Hulubalang Diraja carrying pemuras and karga, and Hulubalang Asgar carrying kelasak and kampilan.
A dian tunggal was carried by Dayang-Dayang ahead of the bride, who was accompanied by Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Hajah Siti.
The procession continued with Dayang-Dayang carrying royal regalia, including payung (umbrella), kaskol and kain pendukungan. They were followed by Pengangun Pengantin Diraja, the wives of state dignitaries and Pengiran Perempuan Berbaju Gadong.
More regalia were carried in by Dayang-Dayang, including kaskol and langguai; seven female Pahawai carrying puan, tarian, kabok and panastan, kiap, chupu and pasigupan and kaskol.
The delegation also featured dian enam belas carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang, 16 pedang, 16 tumbak bendarangan and eight kabok and panastan.
After the royal bride was seated at the royal dais, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim and State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz sought consent to invite the royal groom, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar.
Scented flowers were sprinkled on Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar upon his arrival at the entrance, following which the act of pouring water on the groom’s feet was observed. The royal groom then entered the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana accompanied by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim.
At the entrance of Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, the royal groom was escorted by the State Mufti down the aisle to the royal dais.
In accordance with the Muslim custom, His Majesty took the groom’s right hand and placed it gently on the royal bride’s head. This symbolises the official union of the royal couple.
The Selawat was recited as the 17-gun salute resounded, following the recitation of Doa Selamat by the State Mufti.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen accompanied the royal couple as they left Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.
Their Majesties then received Junjung Ziarah from the royal couple.
Also receiving the Junjung Ziarah were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati, the royal groom’s parents.
The royal couple also greeted the mother of the royal bride, Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam.
His Majesty then consented for the ceremony to be brought to a close.
