InsyaAllah
Go for Gold??
Siblings Night Out
Women Driver
Bandar Seri Begawan - Part 2
Kubur Dang Ayang
THE MYSTERIOUS GRAVE IN THE CITY CENTRE
The Tale of Kubur Dang Ayang
by Rozan Yunos
Many people have walked past the walled small roof structure opposite the General Post Office Building in the car park yard of the TAIB Building in Bandar Seri Begawan. Many have in fact parked their cars next to it. However, not many have realized that they are actually parked to a grave. A grave which is very interesting and full of mystery. It is not even known whether it is a grave.
It was said that before the World War, the site was actually a huge mound of some thirty feet tall. It was blown up by a bomb during the Second World War and the mound was said to be empty even though according to legend, there should be at least a few people who were buried there.
The grave was said to belong to a lady by the name of Dang Ayang. Dang is the Brunei colloquial term for Dayang and Ayang is the name of that person. Those who know it called the grave Kubur Dang Ayang. Some have called it Kubur Raja Ayang. It was said that the lady is actually of Royal parentage.
Legend has it told that this was a very sad story. Apparently in the old days, a sister and a male sibling was caught in an unlawful relationship (sumbang mahram is the Malay term). According to the laws then, the crimes must be punished by being stoned to death. It was said that nobody then had the heart to stone them to death but neither could they leave them unpunished. So the authorities compromised.
What they did was to build a cavern in the middle of the forest (remember most Bruneians in those days live along the river and this 'kubor' or grave was about a mile inland then - so it is quite far from the other Bruneians). The two of them had to live in it. Some versions said only Dang Ayang lived in it and other versions said both of them. The cavern was fitted with air ventilation. Presumably some food was left with them as there was supposedly a small chimney where smoke can be seen coming out of the chimney. This smoke indicated that they were still alive. They must have been kept there for a long while until one day no more smoke was seen coming out of the chimney and everyone presumed that she or they died.
Nobody knew when the graveyard started to be walled but presumably someone did it because it is still technically a grave and up to now it is left there - to be left unknown and a rather sad testimony to an indiscretion of a young Brunei couple.
If one was to visit the grave, there is a broken tombstone which tells the story of the lady and who she was. Even though she was not named on that tombstone but instead she was called the daughter of a certain person. According to a paper written by the Principal of the History Centre, she was most likely a member of the aristocracy whose father was of Arabic origin and said to be related to the third Sultan. Sultan Sharif Ali was of Arabic origin.
It was most likely too that the crime was committed in 1452 during the reign of Sultan Sulaiman (circa 1432-1485). It was said that the lady upon realising what she committed was an enormous sin that she and her entourage (so it wasn't just one person but the whole household) voluntarily went to their deaths. Given the context of the time and the parentage, the deed perpetrated was deemed to be very serious and merited such punishment.
On the tombstone it was written in Arabic too that it is hoped that the punishment meted out is sufficient compensation for the sin that was committed for the body (bodies) of those who committed the sin and pray that they are in peace and a prayer so that the Al-Mighty will forgive them. Based on the writings on the tombstone, it is understood that for every sin committed, the authorities must carry out the punishment necessary for it. It also reflected the strength of the religion then to the point that the punishment has to be meted out regardless of who the perpetrator was. What has happened can be a lesson for all.
Even though the punishment seemed harsh, some have said that the punishment that one will receive in the hereafter will be harsher if the punishment during the lifetime was light. The young couple understood what they did was wrong. They also understood that they must be punished and they accepted the punishment voluntarily. That is a lesson for us too. To know when we do something wrong and to know when we must pay for it. Hopefully the story of the young couple will make us better persons and that their grave can be a constant reminder to us.
Note: An edited version of the above article was published in The Golden Legacy column in The BruneThe Most Exhausting Day....Ever!
Masks, Hand Santitzers and Swine Flu
Some of the public are now aware of the danger of this flu while some just being ignorance. I thought with free education given to all Bruneians, you thought that we were all clever but we might be proven wrong! I know 1 real case of quarantine family members. There were quarantine for 7 days but before the 7 days were up, they (the whole family) was spotted in the Mall, not wearing any masks!!! To hear this, it's just so plain irresponsible. I mean, okay, you might NOT be infected but you MIGHT be infected. If you are infected, why you want to put other people in the same situation as yours??
I have to salute most of us though. Eventhough they are not sick, they also wear masks just as a precautions. Yesterday I was working. Clinic opens at 2PM and by 2.30PM, 86 patients had registered to see the doctors and by the end of the night, a total of 494 patients had registered. I don't know if you can imagine how buzy and hectic it was but by the end of the shift, I was so drop dead exhausted! As a frontline health professions, we are compulsory to wear the mask. It doesn't protect us 100% from all those air-bourne diseases but to all the patients out there, please do not cough infront of others. I hate when people do that!
Last Saturday afternoon, I was searching for the hand sanitizers for my brothers. Schools are re-open this monday. I was thinking to equip my brothers with masks and hand sanitizers. Not only m a good, lovable sister (hahaha) but I also don't want them to contract anything while at school.
May Allah be with us always. Amin.....
Siblings Day Out
To kill the time, I had my breakfast at Express. I don't know. M always craving for the RBC Express lately..hmmm...Anyway, the 11.30am show was packed too and the movie? Hmm...nda payah cakap. I guess everyone likes it. I did too. Nothing beats autobots fighting with each other. My favourite part would be when they dropped the guy in the suit from the plane. It was so hilarious! And man! I love Petra! I always dream of going there.
After movie, we went to eat belated lunch at Taurean Too Kopitiam in Batu Bersurat. Lunch done, we went to DVD surfing..hehe! Came home by 3PM and then I need to get ready for hiking. That's what I called exhausted weekend! No work done, which what it should be =) It's a weekend afterall..
Getting Fit and Dark Again!
I had been meaning to do hiking as a daily routine, as it used to be but somehow it's just couldn't be. 1st, there is the weather. It had been raining lately here in Brunei. 2nd, afterwork meetings still going on. I couldn't escape it hence no hiking. 3rd, after long day at work, I'm just too tired to exercise!
Will Upate Soon...
While Babysitting Part 2
A - AVAILABLE: Yes
B - BIRTHDAY: October 21st
C - CRUSHIN ON: no one
D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: tea
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Mummy, my BFF
F - FAVORITE SONG: for this 1 week would be freedom by akon
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: hmmm...worms?? haha
H - HOMETOWN: where my stuffs are
I - IN LOVE WITH: errrmmmm....
J - JUGGLE: i wish..
K - KILLED SOMEONE: been thinking to but never got the guts...
L -LONGEST CAR RIDE: Brunei to KK
M- MILKSHAKE FLAVOR: Chocolate
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 6
O - ONE WISH: Let me died peacefully
P - PERSON YOU CALLED LAST: Mok...hahaha sumthing about work
R - REASON TO SMILE: no reason...i smile when I want
S - SONG YOU LAST HEARD: as of this moment, no surprise by daughtry
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 7.15am
U - UNDERWEAR COLOR/PATTERN: plain white
V - VEGETABLE(S): anything edible
W - WORST HABIT: dunno....hahaha
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: nothing major, just the routine 1
Y – YOYOS ARE: so lame
Z - ZODIAC SIGN: Libra
Random Questions About You:
Spell your name without vowels: ynt
What color do you wear most?: green o is it pink?
What are you listening to?: 'I know you want me' by Pitbull
Are you happy with your life right now?: Content, yes
What is your favorite class in school?: Lower secondary - history, upper - geography, college - physics =)
When do you start back at school/college?: almost never...hehe
Are you outgoing?: depends
Where do you wish you were right now?: in the kitchen...m hungrryyy!
THE CANS:
Can you dance?: Nope!
Can you tie a cherry stem with your mouth?: Nope!
Can you whistle?: Yup!
Write with both hands?: Can but then 1 would be unreadable!
Walk with your toes curled?: Yes!!
THE DO'S:
Do you believe there is life on other planets?: yes
Do you believe in miracles? yes...it does happened
Love at first sight? yes
Do you believe in Satan? yes
Do you believe in Santa? no
Do you know how to swim? yea but not that good
Do you like roller coasters? don't think so, never dare to get into 1
Do you think you could handle the stuff they eat on those reality shows? no wayyyy...i'll stick to being the normal human..thanx!
THE HAVES:
Have you ever asked someone out? yes
Have you ever been asked out by someone? yes
Have you ever been to the ocean? nope but i want to! Star Cruise, sabar...sampai tu nanti
Have you ever painted your nails? yea, who doesn't?
THE WHATS:
What is the temperature outside? sadang panas i think
What radio station do you listen to? kristal 90.7 fm
What was the last restaurant you ate at? au lait, qlap
What was the last thing you bought? toblerone
What was the last thing on TV you watched? rarely watched TV
CRYING SECTION:
Ever really cried your heart out? yes
Ever cried yourself to sleep? yes
Ever cried on your friend's shoulder? yes
Ever cried over the opposite sex? who doesn't?
Do you cry when you get an injury? nope
Do certain songs make you cry? not really
HAPPY SECTION.
Are you a happy person? content, yes...
What/who can make you happy? everything, anything
Do you wish you were happier? is there any catch being happier?? if not, yea, i want to be happier
Can music make you happy? definitly!
LOVE SECTION.
How many times have you had your heart broken? never count...not that many, i think
Have you ever loved someone so much that you'd die for him/her? as in sacrificing myself for him? hmmm...dunno ah!
LOOK AT ME.
What is your current hair color? black
Current piercings? ears only
Have any tattoos? i wish but don't dare to...haha
Eye color? black
IN A BOY/GIRL:
Favorite eye color? doesn't really matter
Short or long hair: short
Height: taller than me
Best clothes: doesn't really matter
HAVE YOU EVER
Been to jail: be in it o visit?? be in jail, never! visit, sometimes, both parents worked there!
Mooned someone: errrmmm..
Laughed so hard you cried: yup
Cried in school : pernah...hehe
Thrown up in a store: yup. well, not in the store, d jambannya la
Done something really stupid that you still laugh at today: yes
Gone skinny dipping: no way!! haha
THIS OR THAT
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
McDonald's or Burger King: Burger King
Single or Group Dates: single
Chocolate or Vanilla: chocolate
Strawberries or Blueberries: Strawberries
Meat or Veggies: both??
TV or Movie: movie
guitar or drum: drum
Adidas or Nike: adidas
Chinese or Mexican: food or men nie?? haha!
While Babysitting Part 1
yes
Who can you blame for your bad mood today?
no bad mood today
How was your night lastnight?
managed to get some work done
What is your mom's name listed under in your phone?
Mummy
How do you feel right now?
Sleepy
Who were the first 2 people you heard this morning?
My mum and Dillah (fr the seeds)- I switched on the radio once m awaken by my mum
What are you listening to right now?
freedom by akon
Do you believe in celebrating anniversaries?
yup
Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
not sure ah....
Last thing you bought?
Toblerone chocolates...nyum
Are you a big fan of snowstorms or thunderstorms?
snowstorm - never experience it; thunderstorm - depends o how thundery it is but i do like it (weird? I know)
Are you a jealous person?
yes...and no...if you know what I mean
Does it take a lot to make you cry?
nope....i cry over everything!
What were you doing at 12:30 this afternoon?
surfing
Who was the last person you texted?
my BFF
What did you text?
errrmmm....sumthing that cannot be published here ^_^
Do you think a lot before you sleep?
yes, I think of what dream I want in my sleep
What are you thinking about right now?
nyaman eh Toblerone ani...hehe
Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?
yes...talk to, fight to, merajuk to...hahaha
Have you ever had your heart broken? If so, how many times?
yup, who doesn't? m not stone hearted..hehe. I never count, why bothered?
Do you like to cuddle/snuggle?
yup...
Is there anybody you wish you could be spending time with right now?
a lot infact....but so little time
Do you wish someone would call or text you right now?
not realy coz m doing this and if ada some1 call/text, sure nda telayan tu..
You can only drink ONE liquid for the rest of your life, what is it?
plain water, i think
Have you lost contact with someone you wish you didn't?
yes
Who are your favorite people to talk to when you’re down?
my BFF (male and female)
What is the last thing you said out loud?
"adik! behapa kau?" to my niece
When is your birthday?
October 21st
Any plans for your birthday?
not yet
What did you realize today?
m gaining weight!!! again!!
When was the last time you cried?
don't remember
Do you have friends you can tell stuff to and you're sure they won't tell?
yea
What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?
switched off my hp
What can't you wait for?
my 1 month leave....yeah!!!
Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?
no! my nose is already sensitive as it is
Are you mad about anything?
m mad about everything!
What do you carry with you at all times?
hp
Are you mean?
most of the times but m mean in a good way..haha..nda mau2
Were you happy when you woke up today?
sadang...coz i rarely woke up early
What's the last thing you searched for on Google?
the cave of golden rose...hahaha
Bandar Seri Begawan
This morning, I accompanied my mum to the town. She got some stuffs to do and as usual, m the driver. I guess coz we are early, bandar is kindda quiet this morning. The roads are being 'beautify' for the upcoming HM's birthday and infront of the Royal Regalia, Jabatan Bandaran is setting up the tents for the 'perayaan'.
I (or rather my brother) managed to snap few pictures of bandar. One of the pictures is the picture of Kubur Dang Ayang (Dang Ayang's tomb) which is located just beside TAIB and exactly infront of the Taman SOAS. I'm a fanatic in history. It is my favourite subject back while I was studying. But I never heard of Dang Ayang and from what my parents told me, she was a princess. Her father, the Sultan (I dunno which Sultan) wanted to marry her off but she refused hence she was locked in an underground compartment. She died there and being buried at the same place. Is it true?? If anyone out there knows the real histroy, please let me know, m dying to know! If not, oh well, then I have to go to the history centre then. Hehehe...
The Death of the King of Pop
Oh well, every life, there is death. Death is a certain thing for each and one of us.
Freedom - Akon
White gold ring in a wedding finger
Geez! It's kindda hard nowdays to wear a nice white gold ring without someone thought u r attached! Is that y guys gave me the dissapointed look?? Damn! I should ring-less starting tomorrow....ahakZZZ!!!
Hitler Video
Swine, Swine and more Swine....
For the public out there, please be noted that the Influenza A vaccine does not protect you against Swine flu. Influenza A vaccine which is currently available in Brunei is only to protect you from seasonal flu but NOT for swine flu, bird flu and such. I know everyone is kindda panicking at the moment. Today alone, my dispensary direct line received more than 10 phone calls inquiring about the vaccine. And I'm sorry that neither any of us can help you. The only thing we can help you is to give you the Vaccination Centre phone number and hopefully they can answer any questions you have in mind.
In the meantime, please take extra precautions. Avoid travelling out of the country if you can. And please, go and seek medical treatment if you are unwell. It's good to be 'kiasiu' once in a while. And for parents out there, avoid bringing your children to the clinics/hospitals if they are not sick. Bear in mind that, they COULD be exposed to the danger.
Let's pray for this flu to be over soon, InsyaAllah.


