Culture of Brunei

File:Bolkiah Garrison 19 February 2023.jpg

{{main article| Languages of Brunei}}

Standard Malay, the language spoken by the ethnic Malays, who make up over 65% of Brunei's population,{{cite web |url= https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brunei/ | title= The World Factbook: Brunei |access-date= 2015-11-09|work=Central Intelligence Agency}} is the official language of Brunei.{{cite book |last1= Baker |first1= Colin |last2= Prys Jones |first2= Sylvia |date= 18 September 1998 |title= Encyclopedia of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YgtSqB9oqDIC&q=languages+spoken+in+brunei&pg=PA372 |publisher= Multilingual Matters |page=372 |isbn= 978-1-85359-362-8}} However, the most widely spoken language in Brunei is Brunei Malay, which differs greatly from Standard Malay in areas like pronunciation, lexis and syntax.{{cite book |last1= Deterding |first1= David |last2= Sharbawi |first2= Salbrina |date= 13 May 2013 |title= Brunei English: A New Variety in a Multilingual Society |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=b5Zy8RQdAZoC&q=languages+spoken+in+brunei&pg=PA22 |publisher= Springer Science & Business Media |pages= 22–23 |isbn=978-94-007-6346-3}} In addition, there are many other Malay dialects spoken by indigenous communities, such as Dayak and Iban. Usage of such Malay dialects has been on the decline due to assimilation of such ethnic culture with the mainstream culture; some varieties of these dialects are at risk of becoming extinct.

English language is also used in Brunei. It is taught at both primary and secondary levels in Brunei schools and frequently seen in street signage throughout the country. Mandarin Chinese, the language used by the sizable minority Chinese community, is widely used as well. Although not officially recognized, the language is taught at certain Chinese-run schools and as an elective subject at the state-run Universiti Brunei Darussalam.{{cite book |last1= Gorter |first1= Durk |last2= F. Marten |first2= Heiko |last3= Van Mensel |first3= Luk |date= 6 January 2012 |title= Minority Languages in the Linguistic Landscape |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=s3Lvycoqtt0C&q=languages+used+in+brunei&pg=PA237 |publisher= Palgrave Macmillan |page= 237 |isbn=978-0-230-36023-5}} Chinese dialects such as Hokkien are commonly spoken in the Chinese community, although their usage has been declining as the younger generation pick up Mandarin Chinese at the expense of dialects.

{{see also |Media in Brunei | Music of Brunei}}

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{{main article|Religion in Brunei}}

{{see also| Islam in Brunei| Christianity in Brunei|Freedom of religion in Brunei}}

Islam is the official religion of Brunei; Muslims make up over 78% of the population. The Constitution of Brunei states that "The religion of Brunei Darussalam shall be the Muslim religion according to the Shafi'i sect of that religion", although it also guarantees religious freedom, albeit with restrictions.{{cite web |url= https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/171648.pdf | title= Brunei |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work=United States Department of State}} The ruling monarch is depicted as the defender of Islam in the country under a system known as Malay

Islamic Monarchy, while the state's Ministry of Religious Affairs officially promotes Islam in Brunei.

In 2014, Brunei controversially adopted Sharia law, becoming the first South-East Asian country to do so.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12990058 | title= Brunei country profile | date= 15 August 2015 |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work=BBC}} These laws applies to non-Muslims in the country and has been criticized by international organisations such as the United Nations and Amnesty International. Prior to the introduction of Sharia law, Brunei has already adopted religiously motivated laws such as the prohibition of the sales of alcohol in the country.{{cite web |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/01/world/asia/brunei-sharia-law/ | title= Brunei adopts sharia law amid international outcry |date= 1 May 2014 |access-date= 2015-11-10|work=CNN}}

Christians and Buddhists make up the largest proportion of non-Muslims in Brunei. There are several Christian churches, Chinese Buddhist or Daoist temples and Hindu temple, but these non-Muslim places of worship are not allowed to display visible signs of their religion outside of their premises.{{cite web |url= http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/southeast_asia/brunei/religion.htm |title= Windows on Asia: Brunei - Religion |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work= Asian Studies Center, Michigan State University |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151117160702/http://asia.isp.msu.edu/wbwoa/southeast_asia/brunei/religion.htm |archive-date= 2015-11-17 }} These religions are not permitted to proselytize or to try and convert others into their faith. A Non-Muslim woman marrying a Muslim is required by law to convert into Islam.

{{main article| Cuisine of Brunei}}

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{{main article| Sports in Brunei}}

{{see also| Football in Brunei | Brunei at the Olympics}}

Football is an extremely popular sport in Brunei.{{cite web |url= http://www.bt.com.bn/letters-editor/2010/06/02/bring-back-womens-football-brunei |title= Bring back women's football to Brunei |date= 2 June 2010 |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work= Brunei Times |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160308201132/http://www.bt.com.bn/letters-editor/2010/06/02/bring-back-womens-football-brunei |archive-date= 8 March 2016 }}

Brunei athletes has competed on the world stage in competitions such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and South East Asian Games.{{cite web |url= http://www.ocasia.org/NOCS/NocCountries.aspx?UzbiAHrAGzk=| title= Brunei |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work=Olympic Council of Asia}} In the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, Brunei sent a single competing athlete, while at the 2012 London Olympic Games, it sent two athletes, including its first female Olympic representative.{{cite magazine |first= William |last= Lee Adams |url= https://olympics.time.com/2012/07/05/trailblazer-meet-bruneis-first-female-olympian-ever/ | title= Trailblazer: Meet Brunei's First Female Olympian — Ever |date= 5 July 2012 |access-date= 2015-11-10 |magazine=Time}} Although it has sent athletes to the Commonwealth Games since the 1990 edition, Brunei athletes has yet to win any medals at these Games.{{cite web |first= Graham |last= Fraser |url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/commonwealth-games/24805609 | title= Brunei's history-maker Maziah Mahusin targets Glasgow 2014 |date= 5 November 2013 |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work=BBC}} Brunei has hosted the 1999 Southeast Asian Games.{{cite web |url= http://www.thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=BRU |title= Commonwealth Games:Brunei Darussalam |access-date= 2015-11-10 |work= Commonwealth Games Federation |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071026061405/http://www.thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=BRU |archive-date= 2007-10-26 |url-status= dead }}

==Symbols, flags and emblems==

{{main article| National symbols of Brunei}}

{{see also| Coat of arms of Brunei| Flag of Brunei |National anthem of Brunei}}

• Malay culture
• People of Brunei
• Prostitution in Brunei
• Public holidays in Brunei

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.kkbs.gov.bn/ Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei] {{in lang|ms}}
• [http://www.asean-china-center.org/english/2010-05/28/c_13319408.htm Brunei Culture on Asian- China Centre]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120724031137/http://www.bruneidirecthys.net/about_brunei/culture_and_tradition.html Culture and Tradition on Brudirect.com]}}

{{Brunei topics}}

{{Southeast Asia topic|Culture of}}

{{Culture of Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of Brunei}}

Brunei

Category:Austronesian culture