Culture & Traditions

Islam is the most widely practiced religion in Brunei. The Sultan of Brunei is the country's religious and political leader. Buddhism is the second most practiced religion, followed by Christianity.

Brunei follows strict Sharia laws that impose a ban on the sale of alcohol. However, non-Muslims over the age of 17 have duty-free allowance. Tourists can drink liquor in hotel rooms and private residences.

The country's traditional arts and crafts reflect a fusion of Islamic and Asian culture. Gold and silver threaded cotton fabric called jong sarat is considered by locals as the finest of all textiles available in Brunei. The material is often worn for special occasions such as state functions and weddings. Some handicrafts sellers also embellish jong sarat design on tissue boxes, bags, clutches, and jewelry boxes.

Brunei's artwork can be glimpsed in its mosques, which feature colourful collections of paintings and intricate mosaics. At the Ash-Shaliheen Mosque, a Moroccan-styled structure, the walls have a beautiful mosaic of hand-made tiles. The architectural features of the country's mosques reveal interesting details. For example, Masjid Al-Muhtadee Billal in Kampong Ayer resembles a pyramid on stilts while Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is built in a modern Islamic style, and features marble minarets and a gold dome.

The country's customs skew conservative. People dress conservatively, and women keep their legs and most of their arms covered in public. Bruneians greet each other by lightly touching the hands and then bringing the hand to the chest.