Their Majesties attend Berinai By James Kon & Azrol Azmi Photo: Info Dept Today will be a momentous occasion for the Royal Couple as the people will get a glimpse of the royal newly-weds for the first time as they will be the center of a parade procession along an eight-km route from the Istana Nurul Iman to the heart of the capital and back. Meanwhile last night, a 'Istiadat Berinai Pengantin Diraja' or Ceremony of Berpacar was held for the Royal Couple, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari. Gracing the ceremony held at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana of the Istana Nurul Iman was His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar. The Berinai ceremony was the seventh in a series of traditional ceremonies for the Royal Wedding between HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, 31, and YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari, 32. Also present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen and other members of the royal family including YTM Pengiran Babu Raja Pengiran Anak Hajah Besar. The Berinai ceremony for HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah started off with YB Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka (Dr) Hj Awang Hussain informing YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the ceremony was ready to proceed. His Majesty then consented for the ceremony to proceed following the message delivered from YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, brought the royal bride to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana. In front of the Royal Bride Entourage leading into Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana were two lines of 40 'Sinipit' carried by Awang Awang dressed in red Malay traditional attire followed by Juru Bini Dayang Hajah Rokiah and two Hulubalang, who are 'Hulubalang Diraja' and 'Hulubalang Asgar' carrying the 'Pemuras' and 'Karga', 'Kalasak' and 'Kampilan' while the one Dayang Dayang holding the 'Dian Tunggal' entering the room, was then followed by another three Dayang Dayang, each holding either a 'Payung', 'Kaskol' or Kain 'Pendukungan'. Behind, the royal bride were Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Aminah and Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Siti accompanied by a delegation of seven female 'Pahawai', each carrying either a 'Puan', 'Tarian', 'Kabok' and 'Panastan', 'Kiap', 'Chupu', 'Pasigupan' and 'Kaskol, while 'Dian 16' was carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang and Awang Awang carrying The royal regalia comprising 16 'Pedang' and Perisai', 16 'Tumbak Bendarangan' and 8 'Kabok' and 'Panastan'. His Majesty began the ceremonial henna application ritual or 'menculiki' on the palm of HRH Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah followed with the pouring of scented water. Seventeen cannon shots echoed through the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, once His Majesty applies the henna paste to the palm of the royal bride. The ceremony continued with Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and HRH Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar performing the same ritual and followed by other members of the royal family as well as the parents of the groom, Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari bin Pengiran Syed Haji Mashor and Hajah Dayang Sarbanun bte Haji Awang Abdi Manaf. In concluding the ceremony was the recital of a 'Doa Selamat' by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz. After HRH Princess Hjh Majeedah Nurul Bulqiah leftBalai Singgahsana Indera Buana, His Majesty officially closed the ceremony and proceeded to Darul Karamah for the Berinai ceremony for the royal groom, YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Haji Jaafari. - Borneo Bulletin (10th June 2007)