His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hjh Saleha last night attended a colourful 'Berbedak' ceremony rich in Brunei traditions for the Royal groom and Royal bride at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, Istana Nurul Iman.

The momentous 'Berbedak' ceremony was the sixth in a series of traditional ceremonies for the Royal Wedding between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah and Dayangku Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman.

The 'Berbedak' ceremony of HRH the Crown Prince Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah began with Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela informing YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah that the ceremony was ready to proceed.

His Majesty then consented for the ceremony to proceed after receiving the message from YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah.

Also present at the ceremony were HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Pg Anak Isteri Pg Anak Hjh Zariah, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, Datin Hjh Faezah and other members of the royal family.

HRH the Crown Prince Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib and YAM Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr.) Kemaludin Al-Haj, as well as the other Pengiran-Pengrian Cheteria to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.

'Perwira Diraja' and 'Perwira Asgar' carrying the 'Pemuras', 'Karga', 'Kalasak' and 'Kampilan', and the Awang-Awang carrying the 'Dian Tunggal' led the delegation of the Royal groom.

They were then followed by seven 'Pahawai' men, each carrying either a 'Puan', 'Tarian', 'Kabok' and 'Panastan', 'Kiap', 'Chupu', 'Pasigupan' and 'Kaskol', while 'Dian 16' was carried by 16 Awang-Awang as well as the royal regalia comprising 40 'Sinipit', 16 'Pedang', 16 'Tumbak' and 8 'Kabok' and 'Penastan'.

The 'Berbedak' ceremony commenced with the reading of 'Zikir Syarafil Anam' or 'Zikir Marhaban'. His Majesty began the ceremonial powdering ritual or 'menculiki', to HRH the Crown Prince Pg Muda Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah. This was followed by a 19-cannon firing to mark the start of the 'Berbedak' ceremony.

The ceremonial powdering ritual continued with Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hjh Saleha, and followed by other members of the royal family including the parents of the Royal bride, Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman and Dayang Rinawaty.

The 'Berbedak' ceremony of HRH the Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah concluded with the reading of a 'doa selamat' by State Mufti, Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz.

The 'Berbedak' ceremony for the Royal bride, Dayangku Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman then followed. The ceremony began with the consent of His Majesty.

The Royal bride was accompanied by the spouse of YAM Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Sahibul Bandar Pengiran Haji Ali and the spouse of Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Bakti Diraja Dato Laila Utama Awang Haji Isa as well as spouses of 'Pembesar Negara' to the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.

The Royal bride's delegation was followed by seven 'Pahawai' women each followed by a delegation carrying 'Puan', 'Tarian', 'Kabok' and 'Panastan', 'Kiap', 'Chupu', 'Pasigupan' and 'Kaskol', while 'Dian 16' was carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang.

The ceremonial powdering ritual of the Royal bride began with His Majesty, followed by Her Majesty, and other members of the royal family and parents of the Royal bride.

A 'doa selamat' was then read by the State Mufti to conclude the 'Berbedak' ceremony of the Royal bride.

The colourful and momentous "Berbedak' ceremony ended with His Majesty's consent to close the ceremony after receiving the message from YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah that the 'Berbedak' ceremony of the Royal Wedding has been completed.

Present at the ceremony yesterday were Pengiran-Pengiran Cheterias, cabinet ministers, members of the Privy Council, deputy ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang, ambassadors, high commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of departments. - Borneo Bulletin