Brunei River has always played an integral part in a Bruneian's life. Throughout the country's histor, the river has always been buzzing with activity. If today it's busy only with the perahu tambang (water taxis) used by the residentsof Kampong Ayer (water village), the river bustled even more in the past with fisherman and padian (river traders).
But the river was also once lively with something else. The people of Kampong Ayer used to hold the berjanawari, a unique festival of boat races. The word berjanawari has it roots from the month of January - berjanuari - from when January was considered a month of celebrations. It then became a reference to the five-day river regatta festival in Brunei in the past. According to some, the regatta was first introduced by the British as a way to celebrate their new year in the sultanate.
During this time, the Brunei river would be bustling with people and packed with boats, with some decorated for the festivities. People from all around Brunei would gather in the area in their tongkang (local boat) and other large boats, both as spectators and participants. Due to the distance in between districts, it is not rare for competitors to bring their families along for the event. Some of the participants would enter the event with their own boats to race them against rival teams from other districts. Others were paid or sponsored to race for a Brunei team.
The boat race would usually finish at the Royal Brunei Customs Wharf in Bandar Seri Begawan, or Brunei Town, as it was known then. The categories included single rowers, pair rowers, 20-men rowing teams and 30-men rowing teams. And, the more people there are in a team, the longer the distance would be from the starting to the finish line.
 |
| team practice, ready for this weekend, shot by me yesterday afternoon.. |
During the 1950s, in the reign of Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saiffudien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the regatta was held in September to coincide with his birthday month. The late Sultan himself was a boating enthusiast, often serving as the pencarok - a position similar to a team captain. With the event held in September, it was no longer fitting to call it berjanawari. Hence the name was dropped, and the festivities were simply referred to as the 'regatta'.
The regattas were common and popular from the Fifties to the Seventies. Due to unforseen circumstances, it was eventually discontinued. In 2012 however, much to the delight of the nation, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, announced the revival of this much loved Brunei tradition. It was to be knoen as the 'Brunei Darussalam Regatta'.
The 2013 edition saw participating teams from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysian and the United States. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Families also joined the regatta race.
This year regattas will marks the third year in which the Brunei Darussalam Regatta is held. Not only does the event provide the opportunity for Bruneians to gather their families for a splashing fun time day out, but it also provides tourists a loo into local culture.
more info please follow the links provided below :
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/02/25/paddlers-ready-regatta-brunei-2014
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2014/02/27/45-teams-compete-regata-brunei-2014
http://www.brudirect.com/national/national/national-local/16084-his-majesty-the-sultan-to-participate-in-upcoming-brunei-regatta
+of+manchester-united.jpg)