Where's our identity? |

Being born and bred in Brunei, it can be tough to find Photography Subjects to shoot that relates to Brunei Culture and lifestyle. No doubt, we ONCE were pretty rich in Traditions. So rich that, you almost see it every weekend.

I remember that during His Majesty’s birthday, we would see traditional dances and songs in our padang at Brunei Town. Unfortunately, I lost all those negatives. There were lots of Kuih, Satay, Pulut Pangang and those bamboo rice (yum yum) with daging rendang!.. Those were the young days where we really celebrate with culture and style.

As my hobby in Photography took hold, I tried looking for these favorite past time from the past during these 2 months. Looking hard for these subjects, but, found nothing. Worst, the closest I find was a kid playing Playstation Portable close by the longkang! eerrr…. that’s hardly a subject at all!

A few phone calls out came nothing. Shockingly, no one knows where all these have gone? Through the years, we have seen changes but each day, did we lose our identity. Once, in Kampong Mabohai or Ong Sum Ping, there is so many kids (me included) climbing coconut trees, riding bicycles, playing kites or sitting behind a corner makan Nasi Katok behind a rubbish bin (added ingredient, I guess).

Still these were signs of our culture where we coated the string with glass powder trying to cut our opponent’s string in Kite Competition. Sadly, the days are lost.

So far, I found some Fishermen. Life sure hasn’t change for them, landscape, definately have changed a lot!

Everyday, I made a deliberate drive to Kampong Ayer every 4-6pm, looking for kids flying a Kite. But what I get, ziltch!.. Where have the past gone? Culture or dances? Have we gone so complacent that we have finally lose our culture? Traditions? Where’s our cultural dance? Perhaps one day, when dust settles, will be see our cultural dances and Traditions in its true form.

Trying to revive some of those past, through the eyes of a camera, in Print ? Our Daily life, our identity? Have we really lost it?

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