Brunei Malay in Brunei


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Brunei Malay is the name used to refer to several very closely related and assimilated groups of indigenous people in Brunei. The largest are the Malay and the Kedayan. Several smaller groups, including the Low Malay Creole, Kiput, Kayan, and Southern Bisaya are also a part of the Brunei Malay population.
Although they are ethnically related to the Malay and share the same Islamic religion, there are many cultural and linguistic differences that make the Brunei Malay distinct from the larger Malay populations in nearby Malaysia and Singapore.
The majority of Brunei Malay live in the capital city called the Brunei-Muara District, and on the coastal strip spread along the sea border of the country. They write in Bahasa Malaysia, but they speak in Brunei Malay, which is uniquely different in sound from spoken Malay.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The culture and customs of the various groups are often quite different - for instance, they differ from group to group in the adat (the unwritten village law) which regulates behavior in the individual villages.
As the indigenous people of the land, the Brunei Malay generally enjoy special privileges that are tied to the prosperity of the country - the Islamic Sultanate controls extensive petroleum and natural gas reserves. They are much favored in areas such as government employment and access to the national universities.
They enjoy medical and educational services that are relatively well developed. Revenues from petroleum production largely finance these services which are provided free of charge to the Brunei Malay. The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam also subsidizes their food and housing.


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Brunei Malay are classified as Muslims at birth; they are exclusively Shafi Sunnis Muslims. The Brunei Malay people adhere to traditional Islamic practices and beliefs. It is estimated that Brunei has more mosques per square kilometer than any other country in the world.
Their religion is based on the five pillars of Islamic faith. They affirm there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet. They are required to pray five times a day, give alms to the poor, fast during the month of Ramadan, and try to make at least one pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Many of the Brunei Malay groups characterize their entire people group as being Muslim. This classification, however, is more of a cultural distinction than a characterization of individual beliefs. Individual beliefs will often be influenced by tribal religions of their ancestors.


What Are Their Needs?

Currently, the Brunei Malay groups are physically well taken care of. Their country is rich in oil and petroleum and the Sultan is very generous. But material resources can run dry.
Although the Brunei Malay have many material resources, there remains a need for spiritual fulfillment.


Prayer Points

Pray that laborers will be sent forth who will go and work among the Brunei Malay.
Pray for spiritual hunger among the Brunei Malay that will give them the willingness to endure persecution and ridicule to find their way to the one who is the truth.
Pray for disciplers who will disciples others.


Scripture Prayers for the Brunei Malay in Brunei.


References

Southeast Asia Link – SEALINK, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Brunei Malay, Kedayan
People Name in Country Brunei Malay
Alternate Names Brunei; Dusun; Kadazan; Kadazan Dusun; Kedeyan; Orang Bukit
Population this Country 200,000
Population all Countries 594,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 10973
ROP3 Code 101679
ROP25 Code 301422
ROP25 Name Brunei-Kadaian
Country Brunei
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 44  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Brunei
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 44  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Brunei Malay in Brunei
Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Sunni
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.06 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.94 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Brunei (200,000 speakers)
Language Code kxd   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Brunei Malay
Dialect Code 8382   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Brunei (200,000 speakers)
Language Code kxd   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Brunei Malay
Dialect Code 8382   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Brunei

Primary Language:  Brunei

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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