The refinement of the Royal Wedding Ceremony inherited throughout the ages reflect the uniqueness and beauty of the Royal Brunei heritage. The beauty of the heritage is portrayed in the Majlis Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga which took place yesterday morning, in conjunction with the Royal Wedding Ceremony between 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 Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Mulia Awang Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi.
The ceremonial event raises the curtain on the Royal Wedding Ceremony and other celebratory events. The ceremony took place at the Lapau in Bandar Seri Begawan. The Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga or the opening of the playing of traditional musical instruments by royal court musicians for keeping vigil, was conducted 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 as representative of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
The arrival of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was preceded by the Perwira Diraja carrying Pemuras and Karga or Musket and Karga, as well as the Perwira Asgar carrying the Kalasak and Kampilan, shield and dagger, accompanied by the bearers of the Perhiasan Empat. His Royal Highness was welcomed by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris, and Yang Mulia Dato Paduka Awang Razali. Also in attendance was His Majesty’s son, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
Soon after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was seated, Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen accompanied by other court musicians entered, bearing traditional musical instruments such as the Serunai or Flutes and Gendang Labik.
The ceremony commenced with Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan informing Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga was ready to proceed.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris then informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the ceremony is ready to proceed.
As soon as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince signalled for the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga to commence, Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen duly sought to commence with the proceedings. Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen proceeded to the Patarana or royal dais from the left-hand side to lift the Nakara, a type of kettle drum and bore it upon his head.
Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen then walked to the designated place, and placed the Nakara in between the two Gendang Labik.
The Nakara was then beaten rythmically, followed by the drumming of the Gendang Labik, the playing of the Serunai accompanied by the Gong and Chanang. Every beating of the Nakara was followed by shots of the cannon up to 21 shots.
The beatings changed from the Titir Gendang Alih-Alihan Tengah dan Hujung. Followed by the Gendang Perang drumbeats, which is usually beaten according to the number of people attending entitled to be accorded the honour. For Wazirs, Pengiran Cheteria and Pengiran Peranakan, the Nakara is beaten 10 times, while drumbeats without the Nakara for Pehin Manteri Berchiri is 10 beats.
Doa Selamat was read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the State Mufti.
After the Doa Selamat, Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen sought consent, and bore the Nakara on his head, returning it to the original position on the royal dais. The other court musicians, meanwhile, sought consent to leave the ceremony.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris that the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga- Jaga has been duly carried out.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib informed His Royal Highness that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga has been duly carried out.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then delivered a Sabda.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan acknowledged His Royal Highness’ sabda.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince 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, Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of the Legislative Council, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of Government Departments.
Source: Radio Television Brunei