Yesterday, we passed by a small mausoleum while taking a boat ride to see monkeys at the far edge of the Brunei River. Our friend Faizal told us a story about it and it was too interesting not to share.
part of the mausoleum when viewed from the river.
A long long time ago (circa 1432-1485 to be exact), a princess whose name was Ayang and her younger brother got romantically involved with each other. The princess got pregnant out of this. And when her father learned of it, he got very angry. This was haram of the highest degree. Her father, incidentally, was Raja Sulaiman. This part was amazing, btw, because I learned this was the same Sulaiman that ruled Manila around that time. Manila in the 1500s was a vassal state of Brunei. I'm also not sure if Sulaiman was Raja or Sultan, so to be safe I'll just call him Raja for now. I have to dig more because I have poor memory and I also have very limited knowledge of Southeast Asian history.
Anyways, going back. The siblings’ crime was punishable by death by stoning. But Sulaiman, although known for being a strict ruler, did not have the heart to do it. So he had people dig a cavern underground where Dang Ayang (Princess Ayang) and her brother could be locked up for the rest of their lives.
They were given food, water and utensils for cooking. The cavern given to them was small but was fitted with an air shaft for breathing. It was also fitted with a chimney, and for a few days smoke could be seen rising out from it indicating that Dang Ayang was still alive.
Historical accounts differ in terms of how long she survived in the cavern. Some say she lived for a week, other say 40 days. Accounts also differ on who was actually sent to accompany Dang Ayang. Some say she was locked alone, others say she was with her brother and household members or waiting ladies (dayang - dayang) whom the Raja punished as well for being accomplices.
It’s hard to tell the details now as it has been many centuries since it happened.
Dang Ayang’s kubur (or grave) has now been turned into a beautiful mausoleum at the heart of Brunei’s capital, along Jalan Elizabeth II (Elizabeth II Road. Jalan in Brunei = Dalan in Cebuano). Locals recount this part of oral history as a tragic tale of love. Others say the story provides a picture of how Brunei rulers ruled that time: firm in carrying out punishments on anyone who went against the law, regardless if they're family or not.
Anyways, going back. The siblings’ crime was punishable by death by stoning. But Sulaiman, although known for being a strict ruler, did not have the heart to do it. So he had people dig a cavern underground where Dang Ayang (Princess Ayang) and her brother could be locked up for the rest of their lives.
They were given food, water and utensils for cooking. The cavern given to them was small but was fitted with an air shaft for breathing. It was also fitted with a chimney, and for a few days smoke could be seen rising out from it indicating that Dang Ayang was still alive.
Historical accounts differ in terms of how long she survived in the cavern. Some say she lived for a week, other say 40 days. Accounts also differ on who was actually sent to accompany Dang Ayang. Some say she was locked alone, others say she was with her brother and household members or waiting ladies (dayang - dayang) whom the Raja punished as well for being accomplices.
It’s hard to tell the details now as it has been many centuries since it happened.
Dang Ayang’s kubur (or grave) has now been turned into a beautiful mausoleum at the heart of Brunei’s capital, along Jalan Elizabeth II (Elizabeth II Road. Jalan in Brunei = Dalan in Cebuano). Locals recount this part of oral history as a tragic tale of love. Others say the story provides a picture of how Brunei rulers ruled that time: firm in carrying out punishments on anyone who went against the law, regardless if they're family or not.
a view of the mausoleum from the city
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