Names: Jessy Estares , Kyla Nonan , Collyn Seballos , Janah Torres , Roman Trajera
ICLT Activity – “ASEAN Countries”
Anthropology
Social practices, rituals and festive
events are habitual activities that
structure the lives of communities and
groups and that are shared by and
relevant to many of their members.
Rituals and festive events often take
place at special times and places and
remind a community of aspects of its
worldwide and history.
Brunei Darussalam is a multiethnic
society in which one ethic group, The
Barunay, has a monopoly of political
power. Variations in tradition among
other ethnic groups are not regional but
cultural, social, and linguistic.
Strand & Section: ABM-A
Date:June 30, 2019
Nation of Brunei
Political Science Sociology
Brunei has two forms of government . The majority of the Bruneian population
administration. One is the modern is ethnically Malay and adheres to the
administrative bureaucracy and the Islamic faith. As such, much of the
other one is the traditional system of culture of Brunei is similar to Malaysian
ritual offices - which are awarded to culture an influence that can be seen
nobles and aristocrats by the sultan. All
strongly in the cuisine and language.
occupants are males. Looking back through both ancient
history and modern times, Hindu and
Western elements have found their way
into society as well.
Brunei is an absolute monarchy in which Conservative behavior and modest
the sultan exercises executive power, dress. Women are expected to be fully
and in which there are no elected covered with only their hands and face
representatives at the national level. exposed in public. Another interesting
Freedom of the press and assembly are social custom is that eating and drinking
significantly restricted. while walking are considered impolite
and are behaviors that should be
avoided.
Indigenous Muslims usually are referred
to as Brunei Malays even if they are not
native speakers of the Malay Language.
After achieving full independent
sovereignty in 1984, Brunei joined the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), the Organization of Islamic
Conference, and the United Nations. In
1992, Brunei joined the Nonaligned
Movements.
Brunei has a very diverse population.
Two-thirds are Malays, and the
remaining residents are Indians,
Chinese, and indigenous Kedazans,
Dusuns, and Dayaks. Bruneians are
very family-oriented and welcoming

Members of the extended family are The first written constitution was Brunei has a low incidence of child
expected to remain loyal to each other promulgated in 1959, naming the sultan abuse since it is punished severely.
and the family. head of state, assisted by five councils Spouse abuse may lead to divorce. In
(Religious Council, Privy Council, general, Brunei is a crime-free country,
From a young age, children are taught Council of Ministers, Legislative Council, especially in terms of violent crime
to subjugate their own desires for the and Council of Succession), with
good of the entire family and to respect internal self-government and defense
elders without question. In addition they and foreign relations run by the United
also learn that it is through family Kingdom.
support that they accomplish goals.
Usually the parents of a young man In 1984, a cabinet-style government Sharia, the religious law and moral code
arrange a marriage with the parents of a was introduced when Brunei resumed of Islam, is followed, which prohibits the
young woman. For a Muslim, the full sovereignty. A cabinet style of public consumption and sale of alcohol.
spouse must also be Muslim. Men often government is composed of high- There are no official clubs or pubs in the
convert to Islam in order to marry a ranking state officials which administers country, and the Western style of
Muslim. Interethnic group marriages are government agencies and departments. nightlife is limited. For entertainment,
not uncommon. There is considerable there are cinemas showing the latest
minor variation in marriage ceremonies Hollywood films. There are restaurants,
from group to group and within ethnic shopping and drinking across the border
groups. in Malaysia.
Sources: History and Ethnic Relations of Brunei Darussalam
https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Brunei-Darussalam.html
https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/south-and-southeast-asia/brunei-darussalam/history-and-culture