`Syair’ Recital: Tool for Teaching

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Six students battled it out yesterday to vie for the top spot in the Brunei State Constitution Syair (poetry) Competition for Secondary Schools and Sixth Form Centres at the Jerudong Park Polo Club.

In the sixth form category Hazwan Hj Salim from the Hassanal Bolkiah Arab Boys Secondary School took first place, while Duli Pg Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah student Siti Norhaslina Hoseni and Meragang Sixth Form Centre student Noor Hafizah Hj Ajak, took second and third place respectively.

In the secondary school category Syahmina Osman from the Sultan Hassan Secondary School in Temburong walked away with the top prize while Nur Musfirah Wan from Seri Mulai Sarjana School and Abdul Wafiy Ibrahim in first and second runner-ups, respectively.

The competition acts as a platform for students to gain the knowledge and the skills in Syair recitation and allow them to appreciate the ideas that are written and embodied in the Syair Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei (Brunei State Constitution).

Present as guest of honour was Chief of the State Adat Istiadat, YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abdul Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pengiran Hj Abu Bakar, who said the competition highlighted the interest of students to recite syair.

"...and more importantly the students want to read syair, know its the contents and the author's thoughts that are contained in the syair," he said.

He said syair functioned as a tool for teaching and entertainment as well as a way to express feelings, creativity and to take note of things that happen.

The Syair Perlembagaan Negara Brunei was written by Sultan Hj Omar 'Ali Saifuddien III and it tells of the affairs at the time, narrates the negotiation process between Sultan Hj Omar 'Ali Saifuddien III and the British Government until the state constitution was passed.

"As a Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) country we must look after our literary culture and tradition that we have inherited until now," said the chief guest.

He added, "It is sad there are Bruneians who know little or understand syair, just as there are those who know little of MIB... I hope we have moulded in the Bruneian way, with a strong conviction and determination, will try to maintain the heritage and national identity based on MIB, in the midst of current global development."

Source: http://www.brudirect.com
Photo Source: http://tunasastera.blogspot.com

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