Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T20:14:19.587Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Expression of Cultural Identity in Mosque Architecture in Brunei Darussalam

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2021

Rui Oliveira Lopes Open the ORCID record for Rui Oliveira Lopes [Opens in a new window]  and
Nuriskandar bin Mohd Hasnan Open the ORCID record for Nuriskandar bin Mohd Hasnan [Opens in a new window]
Rui Oliveira Lopes*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Nuriskandar bin Mohd Hasnan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The mosque connotes a place of prostration towards Allah. As a sacred space, mosque designs use great detail to respect specific ceremonial functions and some requirements outlined in the Quran, but accommodate diverse styles and construction materials that several traditional and cultural factors determine. As early as the seventh century, as Islam spread across the Mediterranean, North Africa, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, the mosque remained a quintessential Islamic building for local Muslim communities. Consequently, mosque architecture presents diverse styles and forms. It does not follow a normative design form besides having an essential hall to accommodate the congregation and visibly indicating the qibla. This paper explores mosque architecture designs in Brunei Darussalam to analyse expressions of cultural identity and constructions of a collective identity. Since the 1950s, mosque architecture in Brunei has distinguished itself by amalgamating designs that culturally significant historical exchanges within and beyond the Malay world dictated. The paper argues that specific governmental, social, cultural and economic contexts necessarily inform the built environment and, particularly, that of religious architecture, resulting in the development of autochthon styles.

Keywords

vernacular architectureMalaynessregional identityBorneomosque architecture
Type
Original Article
Information
TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , May 2022 , pp. 39 - 58
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Institute for East Asian Studies, Sogang University

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahmad, A. Ghafar. 1999. “The architectural styles of mosques in Malaysia: From vernacular to modern structures.” In Proceedings of the Symposium on Mosque Architecture: The Historic and Urban Developments of Mosque Architecture, 147–63. Riyadh: King Saud University.Google Scholar
Ahmad, Azizul Azli, Ali, Aizan, and Ezrin, Arbi. 2013. “Typology of interior architecture for traditional mosques in peninsular Malaysia from 1700-1900 AD.” Jurnal Al-Tamaddun 8(2): 89–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ali, Kamaruddin. 1989. Islamic Architecture in the Malay World: The Mosque and Other Religious Building. Bandar Seri Begawan.Google Scholar
Alice Sabrina, Ismail. 2008. The Influence of Islamic Political Ideology on the Design of State Mosques in West Malaysia (1957–2003). Queensland: Queensland University of Technology.Google Scholar
Appadurai, Arjun. 1990. “Disjuncture and difference in the global cultural economy.” Theory, Culture & Society 7: 295–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Appadurai, Arjun. 1996. “Here and now.” In Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalisation, edited by Appadurai, Arjun, Vol. 1, 1–23. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.Google Scholar
Appadurai, Arjun. 2002. “Cultural diversity: A conceptual platform.” In Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, edited by Stenou, Katérina, 9–15. Paris: UNESCO.Google Scholar
Ardalan, Nader. 1980. “The visual language of symbolic form: A preliminary study of mosque architecture.” In Architecture as Symbol and Self-Identity, edited by Katz, Jonathan G., 18–22. Philadelphia: Aga Khan Award for Architecture.Google Scholar
Attorney General's Office. 1967. Laws of Brunei. Brunei Darussalam.Google Scholar
Attorney General's Office. 2006. Brunei Darussalam Government Gazette. Brunei Darussalam.Google Scholar
Attorney General's Office. 2007. Brunei Darussalam Government Gazette. Brunei Darussalam.Google Scholar
Azadah, haji Awang Besar. 1992. Masjid Omar Ali Saifuffin Negara Brunei Darussalam. Second Edi. Bandar Seri Begawan: Islamic Da'wah Centre.Google Scholar
Badarudin, Adnan. 2004. “Peraliran Di Dalam Rekabentuk Masjid Di Negara Brunei Darussalam.” In Mosque: Platform for a Monarch Leadership, edited by Pehin Tuan Imam Datu Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz Juned, 1–52. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Perdana Mentiri.Google Scholar
Badarudin, Adnan, Endut Moesi, Adhi., Fernandez, Esmawee., Hock, Honrado, Lim, Sun Jon., and Horayangkura, Vimolsiddhi.. 2001. “The architecture of Brunei Darussalam.” In Transforming Traditions- Architecture of the ASEAN Countries, edited by Lim, Jon. Singapore: National Library of Singapore.Google Scholar
Berggren, Niclas, and Nilsson, Therese. 2015. “Globalisation and the transmission of social values: The case of tolerance.” Journal of Comparative Economics 43(2): 371–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berry, J. W. 2008. “Globalisation and acculturation.” International Journal of Intercultural Relations 32(4): 328–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bunnell, T. 2017. “Malaysianization, Malayization, Islamization: The Politics of Tradition in Greater Kuala Lumpur.” In Whose Tradition? edited by Nezar AlSayyad, Mark Gillem, and David Moffat, 128–144. London: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Correia, Gaspar. [1858] 1556. Lendas Da India. Edited by de Lima Felner, Rodrigo Jose. Vol. I-I. Lisboa: Typographia da Academia Real das Sciencias.Google Scholar
Delanty, Gerard, and Paul R., Jones. 2002. “European identity and architecture.” European Journal of Social Theory 5(4): 453–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department of Mosque Affairs. 2000. Mosques in Brunei Darussalam. Bandar Seri Begawan: Department of Mosque Affairs.Google Scholar
Djiar, Kahina Amal. 2009. “Locating architecture, post-colonialism and culture: Contextualisation in Algiers.” Journal of Architecture 14(2): 161–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602360902867392.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gharipour, Mohammad. 2011. “Tradition versus modernity: The challenge of identity in contemporary Islamic architecture.” Local Identities Global Challenges, 199–205.Google Scholar
Harun, S. N. 2011. “Heritage building conservation in Malaysia: Experience and challenges.” Procedia Engineering 20: 41–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hashim, David Mizan. 1990. “Typology and the evolution of the Malaysian mosque.” Majalah Arkitek Malaysia 2(6): 70–82.Google Scholar
Jabatan Pengajian Islam. 1996. Pendidikan Ugama Di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Pengajian Islam, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama.Google Scholar
Juned, Pehin Tuan Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz, ed. 2004. “Mosque: Platform for a monarch leadership.” In Mosque: Platform for a Monarch Leadership. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Perdana Mentiri.Google Scholar
Juned, Pehin Tuan Imam Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz., ed. 2016. Memertabatkan Seni Bina Melayu Islam Beraja. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Mufti Kerajaan.Google Scholar
Juned, Pehin Tuan Imam Datu Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz. 2008. Islam in Brunei During the Reign of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre.Google Scholar
Kassim, Shireen Jahn, Nawawi, Norwina Mohd, and Majid, Noor Hanita Abdul. 2018. The Resilience of Tradition. Malay Allusions in Contemporary Architecture. Penang: Areca Books.Google Scholar
Khan, Hasan-Uddin. 1994. “An overview of contemporary mosques.” In The Mosque. History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity, edited by Frishman, Martin, and Khan, Hasan-Uddin, 247–67. London: Thames and Hudson.Google Scholar
Kultermann, Udo. 1999. Contemporary Architecture in the Arab States: Renaissance of a Region. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Latif, Mahri. 2014. “Towards defining the architecture of Brunei.” In Architecture: Religion, Culture and Identity. Bandar Seri Begawan: PUJA.Google Scholar
Loarca, Miguel. 1582. Relacion de Las Yslas Filipinas. Madrid.Google Scholar
Mahgoub, Yasser. 2007. “Architecture and the expression of cultural identity in Kuwait.” Journal of Architecture 12(2): 165–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602360701363486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moser, S. 2012. “Circulating visions of ‘High Islam’: The adoption of fantasy Middle Eastern architecture in constructing Malaysian national identity.” Urban Studies 49(13): 2913–2935.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moser, S., and Shamsa Wilbur, A.. 2017. “Constructing heritage through state architecture in Indonesia's Riau islands.” ABE Journal 11: 1–24.Google Scholar
Nasir, Abdul Halim. 1984. Mosques of Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Berita Publishing.Google Scholar
Nasir, Abdul Halim. 2004. Mosque Architecture in the Malay World. Selangor: Universiti Kegangsaan Malaysia.Google Scholar
Nicholl, Robert. 1975. European Sources for the History of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Sixteenth Century. Bandar Seri Begawan: Muzium Brunei.Google Scholar
O'Neill, Hugh. 1994. “South-East Asia.” In The Mosque. History, Architectural Development & Regional Diversity, edited by Frishman, Martin, and Khan, Hasan-Uddin, 225–40. London: Thames and Hudson.Google Scholar
Ogura, Nobuyuki, Yap, David Leonides T, and Kenichi, Tanoue. 2002. “Modern architecture in the Philippines and the quest for Filipino style.” Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering 2 (1): 233–38. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.1.2_233.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Powell, Robert, ed. 1983. Exploring Architecture in Islamic Cultures. Architecture and Identity. Singapore: Aga Khan Award for Architecture.Google Scholar
Rasdi, Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad. 2000. The Architectural Heritage of The Malay World: The Traditional Mosques. Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.Google Scholar
Rasdi, Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad. 2007. “Mosque architecture in Malaysia: Classification of styles and possible influence.” Jurnal Alam Bina UTM 9(3): 1–37.Google Scholar
Rasdi, Mohamad Tajuddin Haji Mohamad. 2014. Rethinking the Mosque In the Modern Muslim Society. Kuala Lumpur: Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia.Google Scholar
Robertson, Roland. 1998. Globalisation: Social Theory and Global Culture. London: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar
Sadali, Ahmad. 1980. “In search of an Islam-initiated architectural identity in Indonesia.” In Architecture as Symbol and Self-Identity, edited by Katz, Jonathan G., 87–90. Philadelphia: Aga Khan Award for Architecture.Google Scholar
Salazar, Domingo. 1583. Memorial de Las Cosas Que En Estas Yslas Philipinas de Poniente Pasan y Del Estado de Ellas y de Lo Que Hay Que Remediar, Hecho Por Fray Domingo de Salazar, Obispo de Las Dichas Yslas, Para Que Lo Vea Su Magestad y Los Señores de Su Real Consejo de Yndias. Madrid: Archivo del Bibliófilo Filipino.Google Scholar
Shah, Megat Ariff, Arbi, Ezrin, and Inangda, Nila. 2014. “Transformation of mosque architecture in Malaysia: Critical analysis of architectural history approaches.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilizations ICasic 2014, 54–64. Kuala Lumpur.Google Scholar
Sharif, Harlina Md. 2013. “Mosques in Island Southeast Asia, 15th - 20th Century.” University of London.Google Scholar
Sharif, Harlina Md, and Hazman, Hazumi. 2011. “The vernacular mosques of the Malay world: Cultural interpretation of Islamic aspirations.” In Applied Arts and Design: Application and Appreciation of Islamic Heritage in Contemporary Context, edited by Barkeshli, Mandana, 19–42. Kuala Lumpur: IIUM Press.Google Scholar
Sotshangane, Nkosinathi. 2002. “What impact globalization has on cultural diversity?” Alternatives: Turkish Journal of International Relations 1(4): 214–31.Google Scholar
Sweeney, P. L. Amin. 1968. “Silsilah Raja-Raja Berunai.” Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 41(2): 1–82.Google Scholar
Syara'iah, Jabatan Hal Ehwal. 1993. Catatan Sejarah Masjid-Masjid Negara Brunei Darussalam. Bandar Seri Begawan: Jabatan Percetakan Kerjaaan, Kementerian Undang-Undang.Google Scholar
Tengah, Ampuan Haji Brahim. 2015. “Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei The Brunei sultanate and its relationship with other countries.” In Brunei - History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues, edited by Gin, Ooi Keat, 45–61. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Vale, Lawrence J. 1992. Architecture, Power and National Identity. New Haven / London: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Wahsalfelah, Siti Norkhalbi Haji. 2005. “Traditional Woven Textiles: Tradition and Identity Construction in the ‘New State’ of Brunei Darussalam.” University of Western Australia.Google Scholar
Wahsalfelah, Siti Norkhalbi Haji. 2014. “The acculturation of traditional woven textile as code of official outfit: Implementation and problems.” Paper presented at the 5th ASEAN Traditional Textiles Symposium. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1906.6249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wahsalfelah, Siti Norkhalbi Haji. 2015. “Meanings of traditional textiles consumption in Brunei Darussalam.” Berita. Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei Studies Group Association for Asian Studies, 27–39.Google Scholar
Wang, Yi. 2007. “Globalisation enhances cultural identity.” Intercultural Communication Studies 16(1): 83–86.Google Scholar