Brunei River
View of Brunei River from Kota Batu
Native nameSungai Brunei
Location
CountryBrunei
DistrictBrunei-Muara
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationconfluence of the Kayal and Limau Manis rivers
 • coordinates4°55′35″N 115°01′05″E / 4.92639°N 115.01806°E / 4.92639; 115.01806
Mouth 
 • location
Brunei-Muara, Brunei
 • coordinates
4°55′08″N 115°00′57″E / 4.9187617°N 115.0159437°E / 4.9187617; 115.0159437
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length41 km (25 mi)
Basin size765 km2 (295 sq mi)
Basin features
River systemBrunei River
Tributaries 
 • leftButir
 • rightDamuan, Kedayan, Kianggeh

The Brunei River (Malay: Sungai Brunei) is a river which flows through Brunei[1] and empties into the Brunei Bay towards the north-east direction.[2] The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the shortest major river in Brunei. It is the major river basin within the Brunei-Muara District, the smallest but most populous district. It flows through the country's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. It is home to Kampong Ayer, the Brunei's traditional village on stilts above the river water.[3]

History

The Sultanate of Brunei once controlled all Borneo, including parts of the Philippines and Indonesia.[4] The region's thick jungle means the method of transport and communication was always via boats. This led to traditional settlements being established beside rivers and waterways. These waterways provided convenient transport through a jungle environment, and a supply of food.

In 2006 the Brunei government through the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation, a department initiated the clean-up campaign of the Brunei. A total of $3.9 million has been allocated for the clean-up project, in addition to the $90,000 for the house-to-house waste collection.[5]

Sites

Kampong Ayer is the traditional Bruneian village on stilts above the Brunei River.[3] It was the traditional capital of Brunei for centuries during the Bruneian Sultanate and extended into the British protectorate.[6] It is now part of the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, located across the city centre.

Some of Brunei's historical sites are located along the river banks, including:

Jong Batu

The river is also home to Jong Batu, a rock outcrop believed to be the remains of a ship belonging to Nakhoda Manis, a figure associated with the local legend of an unfilial son cursed into stone. Similar tales can also be found in the local legends of Indonesia and Malaysia.[16]

Lumut Lunting

The inconspicuous tiny island of Lumut Lunting, which is described in Syair Awang Semaun as the site of a cockfight between the kings of Brunei and the Majapahit Empire, is one of several well-known local myths and tales that have been associated with the Brunei River.[17] At the mouth of the Brunei River, Lumut Lunting is positioned between Pulau Sibungur and Pulau Berambang, as opposed to Pulau Pilong-Pilongan, which is farther out at sea and closer to Muara. Both islands, Pulau Pilong-Pilongan and Lumut Lunting, have ties to a long-standing myth that dates back more than 500 years. According to legend, the incident occurred in the early years of Awang Alak Betatar's first sultanate, somewhere in the 14th century.[18]

At the time, a rooster owned by Awang Senuai, a relative of Awang Alak Betatar, was renowned for consistently triumphing in cockfights. In a cockfight, two carefully trained and conditioned roosters engage in combat as onlookers wager on the winner. The majority of conflicts result in the death of one or both roosters. Raden Angsuka Dewa, who also owned Asmara, a rooster reputed to be comparable to Mutiara, learned about this. Asmara was carefully cared for by his owner, who provided him with a unique coop and a golden plate that was hanging high. Asmara was rumored to be powerful, intelligent, and endowed with a unique ability. The native cocks were so horrified when he crooned upon entering Brunei that they did not crow for several days.[18]

The Majapahit King ordered that if he lost, he would hand over the 40 ships that were loaded with supplies to Brunei; but, if he won, he would receive more of the areas that Brunei currently holds and governs. Another version stated that Brunei would still be Majapahit's vassal state if it lost. For the cockfight in front of the Sultan's Palace, Asmara and Mutiara underwent thorough training. Many people came to see the battle the day it took place. The roosters started pounce, peck, attack, and kick each other as the enthusiastic onlookers cheered them on. Suddenly, Mutiara and Asmara both flew out of the ring. During the altercation, Asmara was stabbed and suffered critical injuries. Asmara disappeared from view, fell into the water unconscious from his wound, and transformed into a rock into an island (Pulau Pilong-Pilongan). When Mutiara attempted to follow, he fell into the river that the King of Majapahit had cursed. (Lumut Lunting), also changed into a rock and an island. Elder Kampong Ayer residents have a saying that Lumut Lunting will never be submerged, no of how high the water level rises. If it does, that portends a negative omen, such as the passing of a king or the happening of an unfortunate event.[18]

References

  1. ↑ hydrology of Brunei
  2. ↑ BASELINE STUDY ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM RIVERS PDF
  3. 1 2 The Water Village: Brunei Darussalam. Information Department, Prime Minister's Office. 2006.
  4. ↑ Office, Great Britain Colonial (1938). Colonial Reports - Annual. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 6.
  5. ↑ "Brunei River water quality 'very bad'". Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Retracing history of streets of Bandar | The Brunei Times". 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Elisseeff, Vadime (2000). The Silk Roads: Highways of Culture and Commerce. Berghahn Books. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-57181-222-3.
  8. ↑ "Ficus kerkhovenii: Tomb of Sultan Hussin Kamaluddin, Brunei". THE FIGS OF BORNEO. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Brunei Museum - Asia-Europe Museum Network". 23 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  10. ↑ gp (18 May 2020). "Safeguarding cultural heritage » Borneo Bulletin Online". Safeguarding cultural heritage. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "JUST IN: Maritime Museum officially opens | The Brunei Times". 13 September 2016. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Brunei Gallery - SOAS: The Islamic Sultanate of Brunei: Past and Present Culture". www.soas.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  13. ↑ "Istana Nurul Iman". www.istananuruliman.org. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  14. ↑ Guides, Rough (1 June 2023). The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (Travel Guide eBook). Apa Publications (UK) Limited. ISBN 978-1-83905-928-5.
  15. ↑ Conference, Borneo Research Council (Williamsburg, Va ) (2000). Borneo 2000: Politics, history & development. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. p. 189. ISBN 978-983-9257-03-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "The tale of the unfilial son | The Brunei Times". archive.ph. 21 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Nadhirah (19 April 2019). "Modern Sights, Local Culture, Historical Landmarks and a Fantastic View on the Brunei River Heritage Trail". Borneo Insider's Guide. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Two Brunei Bay Legends". The Brunei Times. 28 April 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
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