LC with the collaboration of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (Brunei Language and Literature Bureau – DBP) has taken a proactive step in translating various book such as folklore stories and novel since 2016.This project aimed to empower and spread the Malay language, culture and literature. To date, LC and DBP has succeeded translating 3 Brunei folklore books that were written in Malay language into 9 different languages which are Arabic, Dusun (Brunei ethnic language), English, German, Filipino, French, Korean, Japanese and Mandarin language. For more information on the translated book, please contact:
KEDAI BUKU DBP
Government Building
Lapangan Terbang Lama Berakas BB3510
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Asal Usul Sungai Siamas (2020)
This folklore book was about a story of a ‘gold hill’ and a piece of rice left in ‘ketupat’ (traditional Malay rice cake pouch) . The rice in this story was a leftover in the ‘ketupat’ that was adrift after it was thrown in the Brunei River. The gold hill was on his way to give his wealth to the people at the Brunei River but stumble upon the floating rice in ‘ketupat’. The rice had advised him not to come to the Brunei River because the hill will face the same fate as him. The hill then sank down the river. It is to this day the place is known as ‘Sungai Si Amas’ (River of The Gold). This book had been translated into 7 different languages:
- English
- Arabic
- Dusun
- French
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin
Kisah Pulau Labi-Labi (2018)
This book was about an island named Pulau Labi-Labi. The story of its origins is very much a part of the folklore of the Dusun Ethic. The stroy begins with a boy name Malau asking his father to bring the moon down for him to play with. His father didn’t want to disappoint Malau and he built a tower high up in the sky. Unfortunately when his father climbed the tower, he was blown by a strong wind and fell into a sea. A big turtle called Labi-labi had saved the father and brought him back to Malau. After Malau’s father reunited with his family, the turtle overturned his body in middle of a lake. This turtle turned into an island called Pulau Labi-labi (Labi-labi Island). This book had been translated into 9 different languages:
- English
- Arabic
- Dusun
- Filipino
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin
Nakhoda Manis (2016)
This was considered an all-time popular folklore story. It has similarities with the story of Si Tanggang in Malaysia and Malim Kundang in Indonesia. It was a story of a boy named Manis that had lived with his mother Dang Ambun during the reigning era of Sultan Bolkiah (the 5th Sultan of Brunei).When he became adult, Manis sailed away from Brunei in search for life experience leaving his mother behind. One day Dang Ambun heard his son already got back and become a rich man. His mother paddle her tiny boat towards her son’s ship. However the Nakhoda Manis (Admiral Manis) was ashamed to see his mother turn into an old poor lady when he was away. He asked his crewman to push Dang Ambun away. Eventually Nakhoda Manis and his ship was cursed into a stone island called Jong Batu (stone ship). This book had been translated into 6 different languages:
- English
- Arabic
- French
- Filipino
- Korean
- Mandarin