Culture

The culture of Brunei is predominantly Malay, with heavy influences from Hinduism and Islam. The borrowings and derivations of Brunei culture from these two religions are due mainly to the country's historical links with the Hindu empire in the neighbouring regions of modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia. The culture is also influenced by the demographics of the country: two-thirds of the population are Malay, and the remainder consists of Chinese, Indians and indigenous Malays such as Dayaks, Dusuns and Kedazans.

Nobility and Titles

Brunei has a hereditary nobility with the title Pengiran; these are, more often than not, related to the Sultan by blood. The Sultan can award commoners the title Pehin, the equivalent of a life peerage awarded in the United Kingdom. The Sultan also can award his subjects the Dato, the equivalent of a knighthood in the United Kingdom, or Datin, the female equivalent (Dame).

Bruneians adhere to the practice of using complete full names with all titles, including the title Haji (for men) or Hajjah (for women) for those who have made the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Dress

Many Brunei Malay women wear the tudong, a traditional head covering. Men wear the songkok, a traditional Malay cap. Men who have completed the Haj wear a white songkok.

Prohibition

Brunei is seen as more conservative than Malaysia. The sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned, and after the introduction of prohibition in the early 1990s, all pubs and nightclubs were forced to close.