So yeah.. I'm actually mixed. And all this while I've thought of myself as pure Brunei (as in race, not nationality). Not that it's such a big deal, mind you.. but it's kinda nice to know that you're other than something you always believed your were. Hehehehe.. When I went back to my hometown over the last Christmas weekend, my brother told me that we actually have Bajau in our blood. Quite a surprise, actually.
Oh, in case you have not figured it out, I'm originally from Sabah. Brunei, Bajau and others like Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Bidayuh and Bisaya are just some of the ethnic races (or what we call "bumiputra") native to Sabah. Indigenous, if you like. Which is probably why I don't look quite the normal Malay. But then, a lot of Malays are not pure-blooded anymore :)
Anyway.. I got my Brunei and Bajau blood from both of my parents. Brunei mostly from my grandfather (my dad's dad) - Pengiran Badaruddin Pengiran Matusin. Bajau from my dad's mom (Dayang Muarna) and my mom's dad (Haji Sarail bin Tarip). I forgot their full names. Hehehehe..
I've been wondering about the family tree for a long time now and I finally got my wish when my dad showed us the diagram. It's still incomplete but enough to show the key persons along the family line. And it was quite a revelation when I discovered that my mom is actually my second cousin. Hehehehe.. Apparently Dayang Muarna and Tarip are siblings. It's not uncommon that people got married within the family, some intentionally, some not. Although, according to my dad, it was my mom who first flirted with him.. sending him letters, food and stuff. Hahahahahaha.. I just loved it when my dad teased my mom about that in front of the family :) Oh, incidentally, last Christmas was their 34th wedding anniversary.
You might be wondering why I'm sort of fixated with this family thing. As I said, it's no big deal. I'm just curious because my dad told me that we are ultimately related to the royal family of Brunei. Now that's something, isn't it? :)
Oh, incidentally, if you have information on Pengiran Maulana Abdul Mumin, please get in touch with me.
Oh, in case you have not figured it out, I'm originally from Sabah. Brunei, Bajau and others like Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, Bidayuh and Bisaya are just some of the ethnic races (or what we call "bumiputra") native to Sabah. Indigenous, if you like. Which is probably why I don't look quite the normal Malay. But then, a lot of Malays are not pure-blooded anymore :)
Anyway.. I got my Brunei and Bajau blood from both of my parents. Brunei mostly from my grandfather (my dad's dad) - Pengiran Badaruddin Pengiran Matusin. Bajau from my dad's mom (Dayang Muarna) and my mom's dad (Haji Sarail bin Tarip). I forgot their full names. Hehehehe..
I've been wondering about the family tree for a long time now and I finally got my wish when my dad showed us the diagram. It's still incomplete but enough to show the key persons along the family line. And it was quite a revelation when I discovered that my mom is actually my second cousin. Hehehehe.. Apparently Dayang Muarna and Tarip are siblings. It's not uncommon that people got married within the family, some intentionally, some not. Although, according to my dad, it was my mom who first flirted with him.. sending him letters, food and stuff. Hahahahahaha.. I just loved it when my dad teased my mom about that in front of the family :) Oh, incidentally, last Christmas was their 34th wedding anniversary.
You might be wondering why I'm sort of fixated with this family thing. As I said, it's no big deal. I'm just curious because my dad told me that we are ultimately related to the royal family of Brunei. Now that's something, isn't it? :)
Oh, incidentally, if you have information on Pengiran Maulana Abdul Mumin, please get in touch with me.
