His Majesty's Crowning Glory

THE origins of the Mahkota or 'Crown' can be traced all the way back to the Seriwijaya Empire of Nusantara, which is said to have flourished between the seventh and 13th century in the Malay Archipelago.

The rule of this empire is believed to have encompassed a vast area of South-east Asia with its seat of power in Palembang on Sumatra, Indonesia. The kingdom subsequently moved from Sumatra to Johor, which is believed to be the centre of rule of ancient Singapura.

Based on old oral traditions and folklore, the royal lineage of the headgear can be traced all the way back to Raja Suran who had three sons — Nila Pahlawan, Krisna Pendeta and Nila Utama. Nila Utama subsequently settled in Bintan near Singapura. One famous folklore tells of how Nila Utama quelled a raging sea that threatened to flounder the ship that he was travelling on. No matter how hard the captain tried to weather the storm, the sea was adamant in sending the ship and its contents to a watery grave. The quick thinking Nila Utama realised that a great sacrifice was in order and promptly hurled the very crown of his head into the water, thus saving the ship and his subjects. Although entrenched in myth and folklore, this tale of the king who sacrifices the highest symbol of his sovereignty to save his people carries the unmistakable morale of a leader who puts his people before his own personal needs and status.

The first Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Mahmud Syah, took one of the princesses of Johor as his wife in 1368 and, was presented with a crown. The gift with its unique design and motifs indicates that the crown was a sovereign symbol with a definite lineage from the royal courts of the famous Seriwijaya Empire.

The earliest mention of the crown can be found in the Salasilah Raja-Raja Brunei, which states: "mana-mana perkakas Kerajaan seperti Mahkota dari Johor dan apa sahaja sekalian perkakas Kerajaan turun-temurun" ("any of the Government's accoutrements... such as the Crown from Johor and any other heirloom Government paraphernalia").

Further oral traditions say during the reign of Sultan Syarif Ali (1425 - 1432), the ruler redesigned the crown to local artistic sensibilities. The Sultan gave it a turban shape and added an upturned diadem (alap), which is believed to indicate Islamic influences. Unfortunately, around 1670s, civil war had broken out in Brunei and after his defeat, Sultan Abdul Haqqul Mubin (1661 - 1673) threw the original crown to sea at Pulau Chermin. The new Sultan Muhyddin (1673 - 1690) then made a new one in 1673. Another occasion of the crown being thrown at sea was when Pengiran Muda Hashim was trying to overthrow Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien II (1828 - 1852) in 1846. According to Yang Berhormat Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Dr Haji Awang Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, Head of History Centre, the crown was in most occasions thrown into the sea as an act of defiance by the fleeing ruler due to civil strife.

The late Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien is credited with literally bringing the crown back from the depths of the sea. The late Al-Marhum Sultan, based on old palace documents and sketches, drew the design of the mahkota himself and had it commissioned. With a little alteration, the former crown was brought back to life in all its newfound glory. This supreme symbol of sovereignty of the Brunei Sultanate is made of gold and studded with precious jewels. The mahkota is unique in design with inclusions of elements such as the Alap (upturned diadem set in gold and precious stones), Tajuk Mahkota (six pieces of bunched ornaments in the shape of Payung Ubur-ubur (umbrella-like jellyfish tentacles, three on each side), Melur Turun (dangling jasmines), and Tara Mahkota (seven-pronged centrepiece topped with pearls and precious stones).

During the coronation, the mahkota is brought into the Lapau or ceremonial hall by one of the palace officials called Cheteria Empat. During the coronation of the present Sultan that took place on August 1, 1968, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was crowned by his own father, the late Al-Marhum Sultan, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan.

What makes the present mahkota unique is that it has continued being the nation's sovereign symbol for over 40 years due to the peace and prosperity Brunei Darussalam has enjoyed over the four decades.

With the ascension of the present ruler, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, to the throne, the crown has been safely ensconced as a royal treasure that also reflects the peace, well-being and prosperity of the country.

Free of civil strife or any other issues that may divide the people of the land, Brunei Darussalam, under the stewardship of a wise and loving ruler, continues to enjoy an exemplary status as sovereign sultanate.Muhibah