BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

SOUNDS of dikir (chants and praises for Allah SWT) reverberated at Istana Nurul Iman as families and guests of the royal couple attended the first Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga or night of vigil.

The Majlis Istiadat Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga yesterday marked the start of the Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga, or season of royal festivities for the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Dk Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah Pg Hj Bolkiah.

Istiadat Berjaga-jaga is a nightly indoor vigil to observe royal customs.

Dressed in white baju cara Melayu (traditional Malay attire) and kain tenunan (brocade), officers from the Department of Adat Istiadat carried yellow and white dian majlis (candle placed in front of a dignitary in a royal ceremony) and bintang petian (tray with teapot and cups) before guests in order of seniority.

The Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga was attended by Pengiran Cheterias or people of nobility, aristocrats, state dignitaries, members of the Legislative Council and senior government officials.

A large part of the activities are religious-oriented in the form of prayers and recital of Quranic verses.

Contrary to the first two royal wedding events, the Majlis Istiadat Bersuruh Diraja and Majlis Membuka Gendang Jaga-Jaga, which were male-oriented, female guests also attended the Istiadat Berjaga-jaga in separate halls at the palace.

The Istiadat Berjaga-Jaga will continue after Isya’ prayers every night leading up to the wedding ceremony on April 12, and before it officially closes on April 15.

The Brunei Times