Crown Prince at Gendang Jaga-Jaga
By Azlan Othman
Photo: Info Dept

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah yesterday attended the opening of 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' for the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari at the Lapau ceremonial hall in the capital.

The ceremony is about the opening of performance by royal court musicians and to formally herald the start of celebrations for the royal wedding and signals the commencement of 'Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga' or nightly vigil at the Palace.

His Royal Highness was greeted on arrival by the Chief of Adat-Istiadat, YAM Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abdul Aziz.

The ceremony commenced after Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka Dr Hj Awg Hussain informed YAM Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abdul Aziz that the ceremony was to ready to proceed and who later conveyed to HRH the Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah that such ceremony was ready to begin.

A high ranking male court official or 'Ketua Juru Laki' then entered the ceremonial hall towards the throne like room to bear the 'Nakara' which is one of the traditional instruments played by the royal court musicians during this occasion.

It was later followed by the drumming of the 'Nakara' and playing of 'Serunai', a type of wind instrument, drumming of the 'Labik', a cylindrical drum and beating of the 'Gongs' and 'Chanang'.

A 21-canon blast echoed around the Lapau ceremonial hall. A 'Doa Selamat' was read by the State Mufti.

HRH the Crown Prince later told Pehin Dato Dr. Hj Awg Hussain to have an audience with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to inform His Majesty that the opening of 'Gendang Jaga-Jaga' ceremony of the royal wedding has been completed.

Present at the ceremony were YAM Pengiran Cheterias, Cabinet Ministers, members of the Privy Council, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin Manteris, Manteri-Manteri Pendalaman, diplomats, permanent secretaries and senior officials. - Borneo Bulletin (3rd June 2007)


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