Bandar Seri Begawan: Gendang Jaga-Jaga marks Golden Jubilee celebrations beginning

A ROYAL 21-gun cannon salute reverberated through the nation’s capital yesterday, as the Istiadat Gendang Jaga-Jaga opening ceremony was held at Lapau (Royal Ceremonial Hall), marking the beginning of the historic Golden Jubilee Celebration 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’s Accession to the Throne.

The Istiadat Gendang Jaga-Jaga ceremony showcased the Sultanate’s rich centuries-old royal traditions and customs, denoting the beginning of a period of royal ceremonies (also known as the Musim Istiadat Diraja) which ends when the Istiadat Gendang Jaga-Jaga is ‘closed’. The tradition of Istiadat Gendang Jaga-Jaga is the playing of traditional musical instruments by royal court musicians for the purpose of keeping vigil.

Attending the ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted at the Lapau by the Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

The ceremony, upon being given approval to begin by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah in his sabda, proceeded with the Gendang Jaga-Jaga, which saw a high-ranking male court official (Ketua Juru Laki), Haji Johan Areffen, entering the ceremonial hall and heading towards the Patarana to beat the Nakara (drum) – one of the traditional instruments played by the royal court musicians during the occasion.

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This was followed by the royal orchestra performance – or Nobat Diraja – by the royal court musicians. The performance involved the beating of the Nakara, complimented with melodies created from the Serunai – a type of wind instrument – and the beating of the Labik – a cylindrical drum – as well as the gongs and Chanang.

The royal orchestra performance was accompanied by a 21-gun cannon blast salute that echoed through the Lapau building, performed by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) led by Commanding Officer of the Military Police of RBAF, 553 Left Colonel Mardini bin Abdul Rahman.

To bless the ceremony, a Doa Selamat was recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

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The end of the Istiadat Gendang Jaga-Jaga opening ceremony marks the beginning of nightly vigils which began last night until October 7, at the Istana Nurul Iman.

The Golden Jubilee Celebration was then given blessings with various religious ceremonies including Doa Kesyukuran, mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers, and the recitation of Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Surah Al-Mulk, and Tahlil.