Izah Azahari
The Istiadat Menerima Tanda Diraja dan Pertunangan Diraja ceremony yesterday marked the continuation of rites for the royal wedding between the daughter 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, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar ibni His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
The ceremony saw the delegation bearing royal engagement gifts leaving the residence of the bridegroom to Istana Nurul Iman as a display of affection.
The delegation included Tanda Diraja, a role played by a young girl in traditional attire, wearing ceremonial bracelets called pengaluan and geronchong, along with ear-studs and a headpiece decorated with flowers called serondoh.
The Tanda Diraja was escorted by several men and boys bearing a royal ceremonial tapestry, clothing, a pair of earrings, a pair of bracelets and a pair of rings.
The delegation also included Pertunangan Diraja, a role filled by another young girl wearing traditional Malay attire also bearing pengaluan and geronchong, a latch called kanching, puntu azimat (amulet) and a circlet called jamang. The Pertunangan Diraja was accompanied by the pemutus tali jintong, a role filled by a young boy.
The Pertunangan Diraja was escorted by young men and women in full traditional costumes, followed by Dayang-Dayang carrying kaskol langguai and Awang-Awang carrying bronzeware containing surat mahar or berian; and ganti-gantian comprising clothings, bracelets, earrings and rings; a royal tapestry containing ceramai, kelakati (cutter) and pisau (knife) as well as Dian 16 carried by 16 Awang-Awang.
Meanwhile, 40 Awang-Awang in the delegation bore 40 janar or dowries, led by 12 sinipit, followed by Juru Bini Hajah Rokiah. Royal Regalia items comprising six pedang dan perisai (ceremonial swords and shields), six tumbak bendarangan, and four kabok dan panastan were also included in the delegation.
The ceremony began at the groom’s residence at Assana’, Jerudong in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah appointed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit bin Pengiran Datu Penghulu Pengiran Haji Apong to lead the groom’s delegation with the royal engagement gifts to Istana Nurul Iman.
Upon arrival of the groom’s delegation at the main entrance of Istana Nurul Iman, the delegation escorting Tanda Diraja was received by Pengarah Awang Jaini, accompanied by one Muda-Muda while the Pertunangan Diraja was received by Pengarah Awang Haji Kilali and Pengarah Awang Haji Brahim @ Momin accompanied by one Muda-Muda.
Seventeen blasts of the cannon followed symbolising the Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja had been safely received.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit was led into the Banquet Hall by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar and Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Wahab bin Haji Mohd Said accompanied by Pehin Penyurat Awang Maidin, Pehin Penyurat Haji Awang Osman and Pehin Bendahari Haji Awang Abu Bakar followed by the delegation escorting Tanda Diraja.
Once inside the Banquet Hall of Istana Nurul Iman, the delegation was then seated.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof requested for consent from Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar for the ceremony to begin.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz then asked Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan to inform His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik that the ceremony was ready to begin.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik then entered the Banquet Hall and was greeted by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan then informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the ceremony was ready to begin. He then informed His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik after which His Royal Highness delivered a sabda for the ceremony to begin.
The delegation led by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja Major General (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Ibnu Basit, presented Tanda Diraja and gangsa bawa-bawaan to His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
Later, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan sought for consent to proceed to the Reception Hall of Istana Nurul Iman, with the Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja.
The arrival of Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja at the Reception Hall was welcomed by Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Hajah Aminah and Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Hajah Siti. Dayang-Dayang then brought in replacement tapestries and Dian 16 carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang.
The tapestries were checked by Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Hajah Aminah and Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Hajah Siti, witnessed by the head of ceremony Pengiran Empat from the bride’s side.
The Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja was then presented to His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan then led the delegation back to the Banquet Hall where they sought an audience with His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and informed that the Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja had been presented to Their Majesties.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik delivered a sabda to close the ceremony.
