Modern house: Impact and Adaptation of Muslim-Melayu in Kampong Ayer, Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study was to analyze modern houses and Impact included Adaptation of Muslim-Melayu in Kampong Ayer, Brunei Darussalam. Data were collected from related documents and from the field through observations on material and non-material culture, and in-depth interviews with 13 informants in Kampong Ayers consisting of community leader, house owners and academics.  The data were validated through triangulation, then interpreted, concluded, and presented with analytical description. The study found that modern houses of Muslim-Melayu are different from traditional houses, both structure and space arrangement resulting in people adaptation to changes of the houses.  However, there are still many people living in traditional houses, especially elderly people who regard modern houses as not responding to the traditional way of life among Melayu. Regarding people who live in modern houses, there was cultural lag in the beginning due to the characteristics of the houses that requires time for them to catch up. Nevertheless, they have been well-adapted to the condition that is related to the use of the houses in the way of life among Muslim-Melayu which could be classified into two types.  One is the use in families adhering to strict Islamic customs and the other is the use in families adhering to Islamic customs with some changes according to the modern world adopting some Western culture and some extent of materialism reflected in utensils and space arrangement in modern houses. At present, the state promotes Kampong Ayer as a cultural tourist attraction that is controlled by Islamic principles.  As a result, lives of Muslim-Melayu in modern houses are in both the currents of Islamization and secularization.