BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

(Seafarers living in the Abode of Peace.)

History
Brunei Darussalam is a country on Borneo
Island's northwest side, bordered by East
Malaysia and facing the South China Sea. The
discovery of oil and gas in 1929 has been
crucial for its economy. Brunei's culture is
deeply rooted in its Malay heritage, seen in its
language, architecture, ceremonies, and
customs.
Brunei's history features powerful sultanates
from the 14th century, Islamic expansion,
European colonization attempts, and British
protectorate status in 1888. Retaining
independence, Brunei became fully
sovereign in 1984, evolving into a modern
Islamic state reliant on oil and gas for
economic growth.
Country Profile
Official name: Brunei Darussalam
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Land area: 5,765 sq km
Population (2022): 445,400
Head of state: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah
Official language: Malay
Currency: Brunei Dollar (BND)
GDP (2019): BND18.375 billion
GDP per capita (2019): BND39,9894
Geography

Located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia,

Brunei borders the South China Sea and the Malaysian
states of Sabah and Sarawak. The total land area is
2,228 square miles (5770 square kilometers), which is
slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware.
Climate
The climate of Brunei is governed by the
equatorial monsoon winds. The northeast
monsoon typically blows from December to
March, and the southwest monsoon blows from
May to September. April, October, and
November are transitional months.
Temperatures in Brunei are warm throughout
the year, typically dropping into the mid-70s F
(about 23 °C) and rising to about 90 °F (32 °C) on
a daily basis.
Rainfall is generally heavier from October to January and
Government and Society
Brunei's political system revolves around its
constitution and the Malay Islamic Monarchy
tradition. It combines Malay culture, Islamic
religion, and a monarchy framework. While it
has a parliament, there are no elections.
The head of state, Hassanal Bolkiah, holds
extensive executive authority and also serves
as prime minister, finance minister, and
defence minister, making it a monarchy with
one person holding multiple positions of
authority.
Language

The official language is Malay, with English as a

major second language. Many Chinese speak
southern varieties of Chinese, and many learn
Mandarin in school.
Religion
Islam is the main religion in Brunei, and about
67 percent of people there are Muslims.
Besides Islam, other religions practiced in
Brunei include Buddhism (mostly among
the Chinese population, about 13
percent), Christianity (about 10 percent),
and indigenous religions (about 10
percent), mainly in small and isolated
communities.
 Education
Brunei offers free and mandatory education from age 5
to 16, resulting in a high literacy rate. Malay, English,
and Chinese are the official languages of instruction.
Government schools, private Chinese schools, and
religious institutions follow the same curriculum. After
secondary education, students can pursue further
studies at technical or vocational institutions. Academic
achievers have options for higher education at
institutions like the University of Brunei Darussalam and
the Islamic University of Sultan Sharif Ali, both offering
diverse programs to meet educational needs.
 Foods
The food in Brunei is influenced by its neighbors
like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, and also
by countries like India, China, Thailand, and Japan.
Since Brunei is mostly Islamic, the food is halal,
meaning it follows Islamic dietary laws. Pork is not
eaten, and alcohol is not allowed. Bruneian food
is often spicy, and meals usually include rice or
noodles.
 Foods
Popular dishes in Brunei include:

Beef Rendang: slow cooked beef in lemongrass

and coconut sauce.
Nasi Lemak: a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and
pandan leaves - usually served for breakfast. Nasi
Lemak can be served with many side dishes ie.
eggs, chicken, beets, roasted peanuts or
vegetables.
Udang Sambal Serai Bersantan: prawns cooked
with chili and coconut milk.
Serongeng Padang: chicken fried with garlic and
wrapped in pandan leaves.
Ambuyat: a sticky ball of flavourless sago starch
wrapped in a bamboo fork and dipped in sour fruit
sauce.
Air Batu Campur: also known as ABC - a
dessert/drink combining ice with sago pearls, red
beans, noodles and grass jelly.
Tradition
Traditional practices in Brunei are deeply
influenced by Islamic values and Malay culture.
Key aspects include celebrating Islamic festivals,
honoring the royal family, observing Malay
customs like traditional clothing and wedding
rituals, and fostering community bonding
through gatherings and events.