Prince Sufri at Menerima Tanda Diraja By Sonia K & Lyna Mohamad Photo: Info Dept The Menghantar dan Menerima Tanda Diraja ceremony - royal pre-engagement gifts ceremony and also the traditional gift-giving rites - was held last night at the Istana Nurul Iman on the occasion of the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and YM Pengiran Khairul Khalil bin Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari. The event started at Darul Karamah, the groom's side. Attending the event was His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah. HRH gave his consent to YAM Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim to lead a delegation to the bride's side (Istana Nurul Iman) with several gifts consisting of a piece of Kain Jong Sarat (Songket sarong), a complete set of dress, a pair of bangles, a pair of earrings, four rings, a pair of necklace and other essentials for the use of the royal bride. Each of these gifts was placed on a "gangsa" and taken to the bride's side. Carried by "awang-awang" together with "Dian 16" (16 Royal Ceremonial Candles) also carried by 16 "awang-awang", the delegation moved to Baitur Rahmah located within the Istana Nurul Iman. An underage girl dressed like a bride was also part of the Tanda Diraja. She was carried astride at the waist of a Pengarah (an official of the royal court) as she headed and led the delegation. The young girl carried by Pengarah Awg Jaini was handed over to YM Damong Awg Hj Ahmad and following this 17 shots of the cannon were fired. YAM Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Rahim was then invited into the Surau of the palace accompanied by YAM Pg Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pg Hj Alauddin and Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Awg Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri. This was followed with the Menghantar Tanda Diraja entourage comprising the young girl. A "Muda-Muda" was accompanied by Pengiran-Pengiran Empat, as well as seven people carrying the "Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan" and 16 Dian" carried by 16 Awang-Awang. Meanwhile, at Baitur Rahmah, 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 ready to begin. After giving the permission to start the ceremony, the head of the male entourage then entered Baitur Rahmah along with the Tanda Diraja and entourage and began the ceremony by addressing YAM Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak hj Abd Aziz of the nature of their presence, who then accepted on behalf of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and HRH Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar and later asked Pehin Dato Seri Paduka (Dr) Hj Awg Hussain to present the Tanda Diraja and Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan to His Majesty, Her Majesty and HRH. Pehin Dato Seri Paduka (Dr) Hj Awg Hussain then brought the entourage that was welcomed by Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Dyg Hjh Aminah and Pehin Jawatan Bini Datin Paduka Dayang Hjh Siti. After the Tanda Diraja and Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan were placed at the centre of the ceremony, Damong Hj Ahmad and Awang-Awang left the ceremony while the Pengiran-Pengiran Empat was seated in the allocated area facing the royal bride's family members. Pehin Manteri Bini Datin Paduka Dyg Hjh Aminah then asked for permission from head of the ceremony to open the Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan followed by the Pengiran-Pengiran Empat from the bride and groom side. The Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan was opened and handed over to Pehin Datin Paduka Hjh Aminah and Pehin Datin Paduka Hjh Siti to be shown to the head of the ceremony. At the end of this royal custom, the Awang-Awang re-entered the ceremony to take the Gangsa Bawa-Bawaan and replaced them with gifts from the royal bride's side. At Baitur Rahmah, Pehin Dato (Dr) Hj Awg Hussain informed YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Aziz of the completion of the ceremony from the royal bride's side. The ceremony concluded with a doa read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awg Abd Aziz. Today, a Majlis Menghantar dan Menerima Pertunangan Diraja will be held. - Borneo Bulletin (4th June 2007)