The refined ceremonies of the Royal Wedding that have been passed down from generation to generation reflects the uniqueness and beauty of Brunei's Royal heritage. The beauty of the heritage is translated at the 'Majlis Istiadat Pembukaan Gendang Jaga-Jaga' which was held yesterday morning, in conjunction with the Royal Wedding of 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 Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Digadong Sahibul Mal Pengiran Muda Haji Jefri Bolkiah. The ceremony which raises the curtain on the Royal Wedding Ceremony and related celebratory events was held at the Lapau in the Capital.
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 and members of the royal family was preceded by the Perwira Diraja carrying a Pemuras and Karga or musket and bullet case, as well as the Perwira Asgar carrying the Kalasak and Kampilan or shield and machete, accompanied by the bearers of the Perhiasan Empat Duli Yang Teramat Mulia - Duli Yang Teramat Mulia.
His Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris and Dato Paduka Awang Razali.
Also in attendance were His Majesty's sons, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.
Soon after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and members of the royal family were seated in the designated seats. Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen along with other court musicians entered, bearing traditional musical instruments such as Serunai or flutes, and Gendang Labik or two-headed drums.
The ceremony commenced with Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan seeking consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga was in place to proceed.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib in turn informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the ceremony was in place to proceed.
As soon as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince signalled for the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga to commence, Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen sought consent and proceeded to the Patarana or royal dais from the left hand side to lift the Nakara, a ceremonial 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 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.
The beating of the drums then changed to the transitional rythms of Titir Gendang Alih-Alihan Tengah and Gendang Alih-Alihan Hujung. These were followed by the beating of Gendang Perang or war drums, which is usually beaten according to the number of people attending and who are entitled to be accorded the honour. For the Sultan's Princes, Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria and Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, the drumbeat features the Nakara, whereas for the Pehin-Pehin Manteri Berchiri the beat is without the Nakara. In this ceremony the Gendang Perang was beaten an estimated 10 times with the Nakara, and 10 times without it.
Doa Selamat was read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, the State Mufti.
Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen 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.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan then sought consent to inform Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga had been duly carried out.
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib in turn informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga had been duly carried out.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then delivered a Sabda.
Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan heeded His Royal Highness's Sabda.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and members of royal family 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.
Source: Radio Television Brunei