Anak Melayu Brunei

Selamat Hari Raya 2012 to all..

2012-08-15T04:50:00.001-07:00

It's been a while I haven't get to update my blog, here I am just to greet all Muslims who's celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Every year, since 2001, I didn't get to celebrate Hari Raya with my father. Nevertheless, my doa are always with him and He will always be missed.

I miss you pa.. :')

SELAMAT HARI RAYA, MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN TO ALL MUSLIMS WHERE EVER YOU ARE.. :)

My Doa for the day..

2012-03-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

It's raining cats and dogs as soon as I woke at 11am today, it feels chilly and the weather is a bit dark. I'm all alone in my room and feels lonely. As loneliness is trying to fill up my mind, I turn to Allah and says my doa.

BismillahirRahmanNirrahim..

رَبَّنَا اغفِر لى وَلِوٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلمُؤمِنينَ يَومَ يَقومُ الحِسابُ
~ Rabbana ighfirli waliwaalidayya walil mu`mineena yawma yaqoomul hisaab ~

"Ya Allah! forgive me and my parents and (all) the believers on the day when the reckoning will be established."

رَبَّنا ظَلَمنا أَنفُسَنا وَإِن لَم تَغفِر لَنا وَتَرحَمنا لَنَكونَنَّ مِنَ الخٰسِرينَ
~ Rabbana thalamna anfusana wain lam taghfir lana watarhamna lanakoonanna mina alkhasireen ~

"Our Lord ! we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

للَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
~ Allaahumma a ‘innii ‘alaa dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibaadatika ~

"O Allah, help me to remember You, to give You thanks and to perform Your worship in the best manner"

Ya Allah.... my sins are great... but a small amount of Your forgiveness is greater than them.

Ya Allah.... forgive the greatness of my sins... with a little of Your mercy!

Amin.... ♥

Things will keep on changing day by day, and I must try to adapt and accept all the changes for which all of these changes are all came from Allah.. Allahuakbar! :')

The last day on the school 1st term

2012-03-15T00:37:00.000-07:00

Dato Mohd Yassin Primary School, Year 1C 2012.

The 1st term of school holiday is starting from the 16th March until 25th March 2012. This is my Year 1C, Art & Design class, as you can see they're cheerful, adorable, happy and look forward for their holidays. As they have finished their colouring session 15 minutes earlier, I decided to let them to express their happiness through singing which I requested for them to perform any tracks they want to sing. They were singing to one of the catchy and famous track in the local radios, a song called "Aku anak kampung". This song is actually from Malaysia. I enjoyed my time with them very much, they're adorable!! Happy holiday class! =D

Short clip from my Year 1C Art & Design class

If I Ain't Got You..

2012-03-13T03:44:00.000-07:00

Every time i feel like i've got nothing, I feel like am a loser, I'm below my expectations then i turn to see my beloved girlfriend's picture and with the people around me, people that I have, I know I've got it all.

True as the lyric, I've been here and there, I have fun here and there, but that life's a bore so full of the superficial. I'm more in my manhood life now. A life that teaches me to be a mature man, with responsibilities at hands.

I know I might not be a perfect man, I might not be able to fulfill all the needs of others, but I'm honest in everything that I hold on to.

I do care very much, I do love my relationships very much, but I'm sorry if I'm overdoing it, feel free to let me know about it, because I'm just a normal human being. Everything came from Him, I only plan but Allah is the judge.

I love you with all my heart, and I'll make you my wife. Do pray for us love.. Ervyna.. :)

Carpentry and Fishing on Sunday Afternoon

2012-03-13T03:15:00.001-07:00

Fishing has become one of the most preferred activities of the local people in Brunei Darussalam. My village has become one of the main center for this activity and it happens to be one of the happening spots for good catch.

When I was 7 years old, I started to love fishing as one of my favourite activity during my leisure time. My first catch were "Seperiding" fish. A small fish that's quite easy to catch using a small hook with the bait of small sliced prawn. Then, I started to catch "Bilis", "Kitang", "Kalakitok", "Usus", "Belais", "Sumpit-sumpit" known as archer fish and the like. It became of my best experiences to be able to fish around my village areas.

Below are some pictures of the young children with their fishing activity.

Putting on the bait

Unhooking his catch while others looking at the small fishes that's visible on the shallow river.

Waiting patiently for the fish to eat the baits

A live catch by the children

Some local tourists fishing on the happening spot

Carpentry activity in my village

Barnished plank wood

For the gas stove and below are another design with the same functions

Blue coloured table
Usually use to put all the cooking apparatus on the lower part and
for the gas stove on top of the table

A modified swing, hang using thick ropes to the roof.

A baby chair

A long chair

"Penyapu lidi"

*Penyapu lidi-a broom made from the coconut leaves. The backbone of the leaves are separated from the leaves. All the backbones are put together and at the hardest part (the end) of the backbones are binded tightly.

Late afternoon activities on the Brunei river at my village

*Will upload the video soon :)

Sport activities in my village

2012-03-11T09:10:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday and everyone in my village fills up their time with leisure activities. I, my self, went jogging around my neighbourhood and I saw the youths and the elderly were doing some activities. Some do the activities just in front of their house and some gather around at other places.

Below are some pictures I took the whole afternoon :)

Badminton

Skate boarding and chilling

Sepak Takraw among the youths

Sepak Takraw in actions

Brisk walking

The elderly watching their kids playing the Sepak Takraw

Hiking

This is a short clip during the Sepak Takraw activity

My Art & Design class

2012-03-11T01:39:00.001-08:00

Some of my art works in class..

The winning group for my "Oil Rig" challenges.
Each groups is provided with limited newspaper, plastic tape and a thick card for the base.

They made it simple and accomplished their ideas.

Challenge
Build an oil rig using the materials given that can withstand weights up to 1kg or more and stand strong.

Some of my portrait drawing lesson

My Beloved Family

2012-03-11T01:21:00.001-08:00

Majlis Berdikir and Birthday Celebrations for my beloved mother

Uncles and Granny

Amit-my dad's little brother

Tangah-my dad's little brother

My 5th brother, Hj Masreduan leading the "Doa selamat" and the one in the middle is another amit from my dad's side.

The one wearing creamy colour is my grandfather, cousins to my late grandfather

Abang Hj Puasa, my 2nd eldest brother.

Some other family relatives :D

Cute little nephew who wants to be a pilot when he grows up, Danial Iqbal.

My Babu's family, mother side.

1st cuz and her children, Naema and Lil Dasuke

ME and DASUKE

The one in maroon Baju Kurong is my sister in law with her siblings.

Beloved Sisters of mine and baby fruits :D

Nieces-Syakirah, Hani and Masyitah

My aunties-Babu from my mom's side and then my dad lil sister,
then my amit bini and my Tua from my dad's side.

Heartbeats
3 of my sisters on the left and their daughters on the right.
Ainina Iwani in blue tudong-learned Japanese
Zawani Zafirah in yellow tudong-knows Mandarin and Arabic languages well (written, reading and speaking)
Little Nurin, Ainina lil sister-Loves Korean language like her mother very much.
Hazwani Wajihah in maroon-loves to read and I used to call her "Buntak Lamak" kekeke ;D cos she's cute and short in her young age.

Darwish baca doa... CUTE!!

My brother in law, Abd Aziz and my 3rd brother, Hj Mashood.

Friends who are closed and known to my family.

Wazien, my tall nephew who's 16.

Darwish and the father.

Darwish and my 8th sister

Mom's Birthday cakes

Shy Wawish

My Eldest brother.. Love you..

Sorry for the blurry image, My family without my father.. <3

That's all about my family for now.. Will keep on updating.. :D

Going to religious school

2012-03-11T00:55:00.002-08:00

The official religion of my country is Islam. It is compulsory for every children in my country to attend religious education in the afternoon which starts at 1.30pm until 5.30pm. There are different times and level as well.

Primary 1 until 2 starts at 1.30pm until 3.30pm only.

Primary 3 starts at 3.30pm until 5.30pm.

Primary 4 until 6 starts at 1.30 until 5.30pm.

During my time, some of my friends attended their religious school using the boat. Some are sent by their parents using cars and some travel by foot. I used to use my bicycle to attend my religious school, it's about 4km of cycling and sometimes my dad sent me to school by car as well.

Some pictures I took from my neighbourhood :)

Happy Birthday Syg..

2012-03-01T20:02:00.003-08:00

This Happy Birthday song is specially dedicated to my beloved girlfriend, Ervyna.

May Allah bless syg always, I pray for your long live, prosperity and always healthy,

be a woman with big heart, caring and loving.

I love you so much.. :D

I miss you..

2012-03-01T00:18:00.002-08:00

My day today has been tough a little bit especially with some changes, but it is a way to build our character to become more better person and stronger, spiritually, mentally and physically. All that I want to say is, I miss my syg dearly..

I guess I was weak and I couldn't even hide, so I surrender just to let it out in my blog..

Always the same exact sky and always the same day

The only difference is that you're not here

Longing for you, I'm longing for you

I call you and call you by my self everyday

Missing you, I'm missing you

Now I just call out your name like a habit, even today

Day by day, I feel like I'm dying

So what could I do?

I love you..

Without even being able to tell you these..

I miss you and I love you always..

Mengungkap rasa dengan kata

2012-02-26T02:02:00.003-08:00

Diwaktu senja menjelma

hariku menjadi sunyi dan sepi bertemankan pilu

merenung jauh dengan hati yang bersendirian

kesunyian membawaku dihujung siang hari ku

Bukan mengeluh namun merindukan dirinya

aku merasakan aku seperti hanyut dibawa arus

tidak pasti ke mana jalan hala tujuku

kenapa semua ini harus terjadi?

telah banyak aku harungi seumur hidupku

susah, senang, sedih dan bahagia ku lalui

semuanya ku terima dengan hati yang redha

mungkinkah ini dugaan Illahi terhadap diriku?

namun sedemikian, aku tetap redha diatas semua ketentuanNya

aku hanya mampu tunduk sujud kepadaNya

berzikir diwaktu resahku

berdoa dan mencurahkan rasa hatiku kepadaNya

ketenangan hanya dapat kurasakan dengan mengingatiNya

semuanya telahpun termaktub di dalam luh-mahfuz ku

adakah ia cukup?

ingin ku selami hati nurani ku ini

sedalam mungkin..

sebelum aku jauh melangkah ke depan

Ya Allah.. ampunkan dosa-dosaku

tunjukkanlah sebaik-baik jalan bagi diriku menebus dosa-dosaku

aku memohon keberkatan dariMu Ya Allah..

bukakanlah mata hatiku ini

demi kebaikan diriku untuk memahami diriku ini

agar aku menjadi lebih dewasa

dan mengenali jalan hala tujuku

dalam hidupku ini..

Nukilan hatiku,

Anak Melayu Brunei

Fun with Ukulele

2012-02-26T01:30:00.003-08:00

Here is what I do for fun with my ukulele..

Dreams come true.. :)

Oh baby.. ehe..

Kuih Tapai

2012-02-24T01:53:00.001-08:00

How Kuih Tapai is made..

Firstly, just like making kuih Jelurut, Kuih Tapai also use the peeled leaves from the “Batang Nipah”. These peeled leaves are cuts into few inches long before it is opened as shown in the pictures below.

Before cutting the peeled leaves into few inches long

A peeled leaf cut into few inches long

The peeled leaf is opened and bent.

This is the “Kelukur” of Kuih Tapai.

Below is a video how my mom made the "kelukur"

Batang nipah can be obtained from the “Daun Apong” as shown in the picture below. It is the young shoot or in Brunei language we called it "Pucuk" of the Daun Apong.

Daun Apong

Pucuk Nipah

A brief information about Daun Apong. Apong produces “Nipah” fruits and the young of this fruit is called the “Mayang”. The juices from the “Mayang” is extracted and fermented and became “Gulanau”. Gulanau is a sticky wet brown sugar which is used to sweeten a drink such as the “Tea ‘C’ Special” and as an ingredient to make some of the Brunei traditional delicacies such as the “Penyaram, Ardam, Kipang” and the like.

Next, while preparing or “menganyam” the “Kelukur”, cook the rice of kuih tapai using Siam rice, Bruneian called it “Beras Siam”.

Cooked "beras Siam"

As soon as the rice is cooked, it is poured on the “Nyiru” and let to cool down. Then, “Laru” which has been mixed and blended with sugar is spread equally on the rice.

* "Laru" can be bought at Tamu Kianggeh.

The amount of "Laru" used are as follows:

1 bushelful of Siam rice = 1 piece of “Laru”

Half bushelful of Siam rice = Half piece of “Laru”

“Secupak ampat” of Siam rice = Quarter piece of “Laru”

* “Secupak ampat” is a local dialect used to describe a small portions of commodity such as rice.

The rice is left cool down on "Nyiru"

Laru (Round in shape)

Spreading the blended laru and sugar equally

When the rice has been mixed equally with the blended laru and sugar, then it’s time to put it inside the “Kelukur” and sealed it with “Samat”.

Samat in different lengths

Putting the rice into the "Kelukur"

After the Kuih Tapai is in shape as shown in the picture, it is put inside a container and kept sealed for 24 hours. After 24 hours of fermentation, then only the Kuih Tapai is ready to be served and edible.

Tapai in shape

My mother told me that, back in the old days, they will use “Bayong” to keep Kuih Tapai fermented. Bayong is a basket made from the Daun Apong as well.

Ready to be fermented for a night in a sealed container

Another brief history about "Kelukur" J

Back in the old days, Brunei people does not use Daun Apong to make the Kelukur, instead they use “Daun Simpur” or “Daun Tarap” for the Kelukur but then, since Kuih Tapai is made majorly for sale, these “Daun Simpur” and ”Daun Tarap” was not suitable to maintain the freshness of the Kuih Tapai while it is put on sales. Unless you are consuming it for themselves then only they will use either leaves.

That's all about how to make Kuih Tapai from me, I hope the brief information will help you to know more about how the famous and delicious kuih Tapai is made.

Cheers! Assalamualaikum from AMB J

2012-02-23T02:37:00.003-08:00

Daily activities among the villagers...

Merambat..

"Rambat" is a casting net, which is weighted with lead pieces at the bottom, for catching prawns or fish in shallow as well as deep waters.

Merambat is a very interesting activity especially during leisure time and it is also becoming a hobby among Bruneian nowadays. The young people at my village goes 'merambat' as part of their leisure time with their friends and family. Back then, most villagers who lives on the river (eg. Kampong Ayer) works as a fisherman (nelayan). They would go fishing (mengail), merambat, membintur (use for catching crabs) at the 'pantaran' or balcony of their house. Moreover, they will use a boat to go 'mengandang' and 'membubu'.

'Kail' is a simple tackle made up of a hook or barb, a line and the flexible but tough stem of belubu, which is a member of the Salacca palm.

Going merambat with their father.

One of the child helping the father to retrieve the rambat after it got stucked.

The father is showing his children how to throw out the rambat.

Beautiful scenes along Brunei river..

The view of Kampong Pudak.

Late afternoon scene from the peer.

Sunset view.

Long pathway at the front peer.

My nini laki paid a visit to his neighbour.

Playing around.

The young childrens.

Bertukang kayu "Carpentry"

'Berdudun' or 'Beriadah' in the later afternoon.

Fishing activity

Transportation.

Transportation used along the river.

Happy 28th National Day Brunei Darussalam :D

Pigeons are resting on the electric cables.

Late scenes and activities in Kampong Serdang..

Kuih Jelurut (Selurut or Celurut)

2012-02-20T06:19:00.001-08:00

How to make local delicacy name Jelurut, Selurut or Celurut.

Bakau Area

'Batang Nipah'

'Kayu Bakau'

Firstly, we need to find the leaves from the 'bakau' area, cutting down some 'batang nipah'.

Samat

Peeled leaves

From the batang nipah, we peeled it's leaves one by one using knife and the hardest backbone of the leaves will be use as the "Samat" or the holder after the leaves is rolled, (like a staple). Will show it on the video how my mom does it :)

End product of the 'acuan'

Jelurut, Selurut or Celurut

Then, my mom will put all the 'acuan' into a steel pot, cramping it tightly. Then, pouring the mixed ingredients (sugar, flour, eggs, santan, flavouring and colouring). I couldn't recall much on the ingredients but will provide the exact ingredients in the near future. :)

The pots will be steam heated and must be frequently checked until its cooked. Approximately 2+ hours.

After it's all cooked, all the jeluruts will be left cool down as shown on the picture.

Left cool down for a while

Wala!! it's all ready to be eaten.. Usually, in any functions, this food will be serve as an appetizer or dessert. Jelurut have some flavours too depending on which flavour you prefer to have either "Pandan" in green colour or "Durian kuning" in yellow colour.

Enjoying it while it's still hot.. :D
The video below will show you how my mom roll the peeled leaves and put the 'samat' to hold the rolled leave.

I hope it'll be much helpful in preserving our local delicacy which I believed not many are able to know the inside and outside of making a "Jelurut". I will keep on updating for other delicacies as well from time to time :)

My mom do accept pre-order if you're interested to order the "Jelurut", Bnd $1 for 5 pieces. Just leave me a comment Thanks :)

2012-02-10T04:21:00.000-08:00

NIGHT LIFE..

At the end of the pantaran..

Rainy night..

Rainy night..

The rain pours down heavily..

My Nini bungsu laki just got back from the Indian shop to buy some stuffs and bringing back the trolley he uses to carry large stuffs to his car. He's almost 80 years old. Stay healthy nini :D

This is the kitchen (dapur)

This is the kitchen on my Nini's house.

Another kind of dapur which is on the pantaran area. Usually my mom
use this kitchen to make our traditional local delicacies such as Ardam,
Penyaram, Kelupis, Jelurut (Selurut), Seri Muka, Seri Rupa, Kusui and
Tapai, just to name a few.

Well, if you want to try or buy some local delicacies, feel free to come over and I'll give you a free tour and maybe you'll get to try some local delicacies :D

This is 'Daun nipah'- Use to make Tapai, Jelurut and Katilapam and the like. My nini went to get some from the Bakau area nearer to our village. He travels by boat.

A village opposite to our village called Kampong Pudak. Separated by the river. It's also a water village. Will get the clear picture next time :)

My last take before I walk back home, my nini is playing with his grandchildren.

Basically, that's the night life in my village. It's raining and usually everyone will stay inside with the whole family.

That's all for now.. Nighty night and have a great weekend =D

2012-02-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

SEAMEO & ASED
Cultural Night Dinner

In my traditional attire

Welcome to Anak Melayu Brunei

Assalamualaikum, my name is Hj Mohamed Ramli Hj Jumat.
I'm a full time teacher. I'm a choreographer,
Brunei traditional dancer, musician, local drama actor
and I love anything that's got to do with Arts.

That's just a brief information about me :)

One of the Malay Kedayan dance called Aduk-Aduk.

In this blog, basically I'm going to write about my lifestyle as a Malay Bruneian who lives in a small village called Kampong Serdang. I'll be posting pictures and possibly videos as well and I hope I'll be providing some insight and information about Brunei lifestyles.

Part of the neighborhood

Wider view of the 'Pantaran'

Close up towards to the end of the 'Pantaran'

'Pantaran'- An open space for use as a passage from one house to another house and it can be use as a place to gather for any functions organize by the villagers.

Beautiful faces around the neighborhood

My "Nini bini" and "Babu" berdudun to my house.

Left to right: My mom, Nini Bungsu and Babu

"Nini bini" means Grand mother. "Babu" means aunt.

This was my lunch for today. Just some simple local dishes cooked by my mother. There are Fish curry, Chicken masak merah, Spinach masak Gulai, Bubuk tumis and Fried fish "liking" . Burrppp~ hehe.. Excuse me.. :)

That's all for today from me and I look forward to put more inputs in the near future. This introduction page is dedicated to Ervynna, I hope it'll be helpful for you. I love you syg.. :)

Assalamulaikum for now.. :D