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Brunei Festivals and Events
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Chinese New Year
Brunei,
This festival is celebrated by the Chinese community
and lasts for two full weeks. It begins with a reunion
dinner on the eve of the celebration which, traditionally
all members of the family attend. Open house is declared
and everyone is invited to feast on sumptuous spreads
of food and drink. Unmarried youngsters are given "Ang
Pow" - gifts of money in little red packets.
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Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Brunei,
Hari Raya is a time for celebration after the fasting
month of Ramadhan. Prayers are held in the early morning
of the first day at every mosque in the country. This
day is usually an occasion for a family get-together.
The second day is usually an open house day, an invitation
for all to visit. Special festive dishes are made, including
ketupat (rice cakes), satay (beef & chicken
kebabs), rendang (spicy marinated beef) and
many others.
His Majesty, the Sultan also opens his doors to the
people at the Istana Nurul Iman. This gives the people
and visitors a chance to meet His Majesty and other
members of the Royal Family, to wish them Selamat Hari
Raya Aidilfitri. This is defintely an offer which should
not be missed. When visiting, you should dress conservatively.
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National Day Celebrations
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, 23 February
National Day is celebrated on the 23rd of February,
and the nation begins to gear up for this momentous
occasion about two months beforehand. School children,
civil servants and private sector representatives rehearse
for their part in colorful crowd formations and flash
card displays. Invariably a sell-out, the event takes
place in the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium before
35,000 spectators. Thousands of people watch the live
nationwide telecast. His Majesty the Sultan and other
members of the Royal Family will be present. In recent
years the Ramadhan fasting period has coincided with
the National Day celebrations resulting in a more low
key affair.
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Awal Ramadhan
Brunei,
The month of Ramadhan is a holy month for all Muslims.
It is a month of fasting, and Muslims abstain from consuming
food and drinks from dawn to dusk for the entire month.
Foodstalls selling a variety of local cakes, pastry
and fruits are set up at various places. This is the
time of year to try many special dishes and local cakes.
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