Travel Guide

With many prominent Bruneian’s having 20 or more words to their full name and title, deciphering who they are or how to address them correctly is tricky.  Fortunately Bruneians allow much leeway to foreigners and slip ups in “protocol” are tolerated (or even expected!).  Anyway this is a large and complex topic, but here are the basics.  One word of caution though, never get a person’s title wrong in correspondence.  This is an insult and your letter will in all likelihood remain unread or returned un-opened!  A prominent Bruneian will usually have a name with a structure as follows:  Title  – Family Name – Son/Daughter of.

Royal Titles
Pengiran -  Akin to a “Duke”. This is a hereditary title given to relations of the Royal family. To understand the “closeness” of the relation one has to look at the words following Pengiran. For example.

Penigran Perdana Wazir – The Sultan’s brother, His Royal Highness Mohamed Bolkiah
Penigran Muda – The Sultans’s eldest son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince
Penigran Anak – Immediate Royal Family, e.g. daughters or sisters of the Sultan
Penigran – More distant relations such as cousins

Awangku – Distant male relations of the Royal family. If an Awangku has a child, the father’s title is automatically converted to Pengiran (I suppose to reflect their impact in continuing the Royal line). Their children are automatically given the title Awangku or Dayangku. Hence why there are many Pengiran’s.

Dayangku – Distant female relations of the Royal family.  Their title is not converted if they have a child unless they are married to an “Awangku”.

Other Titles
Pehin – Akin to a “Lord”. The highest title that is bestowed on a “commoner” or distant relation of the Royal family. This title is given for a lifetime of excellence and service.

Dato – The first step on the ladder to the exhalted Pehin status. There are many different levels of Dato that are indicated by the words that follow it. For example: Dato Paduka, Dato Seri Paduka, Dato Seri Setia, Dato Paduka Seri Setia, Dato Laila Utama, Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa etc.

Haji (Male) Hajah (Female) – If the person has been on the pilgrimage to Mecca they are entitled to use the title Haji or Hajah. Normally their family name will come directly afterwards.

Bin – Son of      Binte – Daughter of

Forms of Address
If you are not on familiar terms play safe and use the title, i.e. Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness. Pengiran, Dato etc. You can also use their title and family name, e.g. Dato Yakub, Pengiran Maidin etc. If you are really unsure refer to them as Haji or Hajah and they will correct you!

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