Houses and Mosques in Water Villages (Kampong Ayer): Reflections of Melayu Culture of Muslim in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

The objective of this article was to explore houses and mosques that reflect Melayu culture of Muslims in Brunei Darussalam using qualitative research method.  Data were collected from related documents and the field through observation and in-depth interviews with 20 informants who were academics, officials and residents of the village.  Triangulation was performed with the data for reliability, and an analytical description was written.  The study found that Melayu culture of Muslims in Brunei Darussalam reflected in their houses and mosques as follows.  For houses, culture was reflected in the structures,    the value of using wood for building houses, and the location in water.  Utility space allocation showed that most houses had a similar layout with an exterior porch and a bench for relaxation and for guests to sit on.  Regarding decoration of the house, balustrades are seen in various styles with some showing esthetic value.  Some objects are painted with auspicious Islamic calligraphy.  For mosques, most of them are with a traditional pyramid roof called Nusantara style that had locally been popular.  Architectural art reflects Melayu culture of Muslims in Brunei Darussalam including individual happiness, keeping engagement with people in society, feminism, praising the religion, and religion as national security, respect for the monarchy, and sultan as a godlike figure without rituals.  These aspects reflect strict Islamic principles.  Some traditions are strict while others are relaxed, all of them change in line with the environment and the modern world and reflect their Muslim culture concretely and abstractly