Istiadat Berinai at Darul Karamah By Azaraimy HH and Yusrin Junaid Photo: Info Dept His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam last night attended the Istiadat Berinai of the royal groom YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari at the Darul Karamah in Bandar Seri Begawan. Held on the eve of the main royal wedding day today (Sunday), the 'Berinai' ceremony is another regal event observed during a royal marriage ceremony of this proportion. A ritual, centuries old that has stood against time to this day, 'Berinai' is more commonly known by the public as Malam Berpacar. Two separate 'Berinai' ceremonies were held, one at Istana Nurul Iman for the royal bride and another at Darul Karamah for the royal groom, both of which attended by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam and other members of the royal family. Also present last night were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar. 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 were also present. On arrival at Darul Karamah the royal guests were greeted by HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah and Pengiran Bini Hjh Faizah as well as the father and mother of YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil, YM Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari and Hajah Dayang Sarbanun bte Haji Awang Abdi Manaf. The 'Berinai' ceremony began with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam applying henna on the royal groom's hand. This was followed by 17 cannons, marking the beginning of 'Istiadat Berinai Diraja'. The pasting of henna then continued with Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha followed by other members of the royal family. The ceremony continued with the groom's father and mother applying henna on the palm of their beloved son's hand. YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil then paid his respects to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri and HRH Pengiran Isteri. The royal groom then left the ceremony accompanied by YM Ak Khairil Khalid and Awang-Awang carrying the royal regalia and ceremonial items. His Majesty the Sultan consenting for the ceremony to close, left with other memebers of the royal family . With that, the royal 'Berinai' ceremony came to a close. Today, in culmination of two week long ceremonies, is the 'Royal Bersanding' ceremony, where the royal couple will sit together on a royal dais or Pelamin, later to take part in a procession around the capital. - Borneo Bulletin (10th June 2007)