His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, as a personal representative of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, attended a ceremony for the opening of the Gendang Jaga-Jaga yesterday.

The ceremony is for the royal wedding between Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini bin Pengiran Dr Hj Mohd Yakub.

It was held at Lapau Ceremonial Hall and was also attended by HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen. The ceremony, rich in Bruneian royal tradition, showcased the unique royal regalia that uplift the image of the Malay culture.

Shortly after the arrival of HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince, Awang-Awang made their way into the hall carrying Dian (big candle), Tikar (mat) and Bintang Petian (traditional tea cup).

The ceremony commenced after Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Md Zain bin Haji Serudin informed YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that the ceremony was to ready to proceed who later conveyed the message to HRH the Crown Prince.

The ceremony involved a high-ranking male court official or 'Ketua Juru Laki' entering the Lapau 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 playing of the 'Nakara' and 'Serunai', a type of blowpipe instrument, the 'Labik', a cylindrical drum, and beating of the 'Gongs' and 'Chanang'. A 21-cannon blast also echoed around the Lapau Ceremonial Hall.

HRH the Crown Prince in his sabda said that the Gendang Jaga-Jaga ceremony has been successfully carried out and consented to send a team of Gendang Jaga-Jaga to the residence of the groom for the Istiadat Menjunjung Kurnia Gendang Jaga-Jaga in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah who received the Kurnia Jaga-Jaga in Jln Permaisuara, Kg Beribi.

Today afternoon (Tuesday), the Istiadat Menghantar Tanda and Pertunangan Diraja (royal pre-engagement gift giving) ceremony of the royal wedding will take place at the residence of the groom in Jln Permaisuara followed by Istiadat Menerima Tanda Diraja and Pertunangan Diraja at the Istana Nurul Iman.

On Wednesday night, the Istiadat Berbedak Pengantin Diraja for the bridegroom and groom will both be held at the Istana Nurul Iman, while on Thursday, the most important event of the ceremony, the Istiadat Akad Nikah Diraja (solemnisation) will take place at the Omar 'Ali saifuddien Mosque in the capital.

The much-awaited ceremony, the Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja (the sitting-in-state), will be held on Sunday morning at the Istana Nurul Iman followed by the royal reception in the night.

The thanksgiving ceremony and closing of the Gendang Jaga-Jaga will take place next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga (nightly vigil) and religious events began last night (Monday) at both the groom and bridegroom's residences. - Borneo Bulletin (18 September 2012)