His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen during the Opening of the Playing of Traditional Musical Instruments at the Lapau in Bandar Seri Begawan

The Royalties entering the Lapau before the proceedings

The Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne began yesterday with the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga or the Opening of the Playing of Traditional Musical Instruments at the Lapau in Bandar Seri Begawan.  The Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga was conducted in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince.

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was welcomed by Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abd Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar. Also present were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and other members of the Royal Family.

Soon after His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was seated, the Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen bin Hassan, accompanied by other musicians entered, bearing traditional musical instruments such as Serunai or Flutes and Gendang Labek or a type of drum and took their seats at a specially allocated position.

The ceremony began with Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa (Retired) Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud informing Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga was in place to proceed.

Yang Amat Mulia in turn informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the ceremony was in place to proceed. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince subsequently instructed for the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga to commence.

The Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen proceeded to the Patarana from the left-hand side to lift the Nakara, a type of kettle drum, and bore it upon his head. Nakara is one of the royal regalia used in an Istiadat such as the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne. The Nakara is the top among the traditional items or the Naubat. Due to these, it is located higher compared to the other Naubat items and carried by the Juru. It is also placed in a special position – on top of the crown box. It is said that the Nakara’s sahap is made from Tuma’s skin.

The beating of the Nakara then commenced followed by the playing of Gendang Labek, Serunai accompanied by Agong and Chanang, types of gongs.  The beating of the Nakara was accompanied by a twenty-one cannon-fire salute.

It was followed by the beatings of Gendang Alih-alihan Tengah and Gendang Alih-alihan Hujung, until finally reaching the titir Gendang Perang or War Drum beats. The Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga is carried out in a special ceremony, just like the The Istiadat Membuka Naubat or Opening of Naubat. However, it is conducted in a specific time, same as other regular ceremonies. The venue, guest, rules, how the ceremony is carried out as well as the lifting of the Nakara is similar to the Istiadat Membuka Naubat. The only difference is that the Istiadat Membuka Gendang jaga-jaga began with the beatings of Gendang Perang, followed by Alih-Alihan Tengah, Alih-Alihan hujung and ended with Gendang Perang.

Doa Selamat was read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

The Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen sought consent to carry the Nakara through the centre of the audience. The Nakara was then returned to its original location.

Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Retired Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad then informed Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga has been duly carried out. Yang Amat Mulia in turn informed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the ceremony has been duly carried out.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince instructed Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa (Retired) Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad to confer His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam that the Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne was duly carried out.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince then left the ceremony. Present at the ceremony were Pengiran Cheterias, Cabinet ministers, Members of Councils, Deputy Ministers, Pengiran-Pengiran Peranakan, Pehin-Pehin Manteri, Manteri-Manteri Hulubalang, Manteri-Manteri Pedalaman, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of the Legislative Council, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Department. News courtesy of RTB and images courtesy of Information Department.

Members of the Royal Family

The Juru Laki Awang Haji Johan Areffen sought consent to carry the Nakara through the centre of the audience

The musicians belting traditional music to signify the opening of @hmjubliemas

The beating of the Nakara was accompanied by a twenty-one cannon-fire salute nearby Lapau

Click image to enter official website

In conjunction with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne which will be held this year, the Committee for Media, Publicity, Exhibitions and Printing would like to inform the public that the official Website, Mobile App and Social Media accounts including the official hashtag for the Golden Jubilee Celebration may be accessed as of today, Wednesday, 16th August 2017.

The establishment of the Website and Mobile App is aimed at providing information including the latest news on the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne. The Website and Mobile App also contains information such as the Calendar of Events, posters and publications in relation to the Golden Jubilee. The information will be updated from time to time.

In addition to the informative contents, the Website and Mobile App will also provide an interactive platform that enables members of the public to convey their greetings online in relation to the Golden Jubilee Celebration.

The public will also be able to watch live broadcast events through “Live Streaming” on the Website and Mobile App.

The public may now access and follow the following:
1) Website – www.HMjubliemas.gov.bn
2) Facebook, Instagram & Twitter – @HMjubliemas

The public may also use the official Golden Jubilee hashtag, #HMjubliemas in their respective social media account posts. For Android mobile users, the Mobile App HMjubliemas may now be downloaded through Google Play; whereas for IOS mobile users, the Mobile App HMjubliemas will be made available from the App Store in the near future.