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Brunei and Allah Peliharakan Sultan episode artwork

Feb 7, 2026 31 min

Brunei and Allah Peliharakan Sultan

from The Anthems Podcast

Join me as we head to Brunei, a hidden gem nestled on the island of Borneo, where we unravel the fascinating history behind its national anthem, "Allah Pelaherikan Sultan." This episode dives deep into the intricacies of Brunei's unique political landscape as one of the last absolute monarchies, while also exploring how colonial influences shaped its national identity. As we uncover the story of the anthem's creation in the context of Brunei's push for independence (again), we'll examine the lyrics that intertwine themes of reverence for the Sultan and a prayer for the nation’s peace and prosperity. With a sprinkle of humor and a healthy dose of wit, I reflect on my own ignorance of this nation before our dart landed on it, revealing just how much there is to learn about both the anthem and the culture it represents. So, whether you're a geography whiz or just someone curious about the world’s lesser-known countries, this episode promises to be both enlightening and entertaining. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371243736_Engaging_Modern_Brunei_Research_on_language_literature_and_culture https://dokumen.pub/a-history-of-brunei-2nbsped-070071698x-9780700716982.html https://www.bruneitourism.com/things-to-do/eat-drink/local-delicacies/#:~:text=Ambuyat,to%20tapioca%20starch)%20and%20water. https://web.archive.org/web/20240226011808/https://www.information.gov.bn/SitePages/Brunei%20Darussalam%20National%20Anthem.aspx https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Origins_History_and_Social_Structure_in/LlABEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=brunei+national+anthem+1947&pg=PT156&printsec=frontcover information.gov.bn/Brunei%20Today%20PDF%20Library/2009/brunei_today_june_2009.pdf https://www.zamboanga.com/html/history_1634_moro_attacks.htm https://afroasian.symbiosis.ac.in/brunei https://web.archive.org/web/20160711171003/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/04/13/national/bruneian-survived-hiroshima-bombing-dies/#.V4PTB3bP32e https://www.google.com/books/edition/Some_Chemical_Problems_of_Today/JBVDAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA128&printsec=frontcover https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1956/1%20disember%201956.pdf https://lib.ui.ac.id/m/detail.jsp?id=20173366&lokasi=lokal# https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293938-d317479-Reviews-Omar_Ali_Saifuddien_Mosque-Bandar_Seri_Begawan_Brunei_Muara_District.html https://www.academia.edu/8412531/Resuscitating_Nationalism_Brunei_under_the_Japanese_Military_Administration_1941_1945_ https://ris.cdu.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/22703258/Thesis_CDU_55418_Harry_K.pdf Hussainmiya, B. A. (2006). Brunei: Revival of 1906: A Popular History. Brunei Press. ISBN 978-99917-32-15-2. https://web.archive.org/web/20170523163555/http://kelembagaan.pnri.go.id/Digital_Docs/homepage_folders/activities/highlight/naskah_nagara_kretagama/isi.htm https://www.google.com/books/edition/Islam_di_Brunei/sKBuAAAAMAAJ?hl=en https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1959/04%20NOVEMBER%201959E.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20250601202507/https://www.information.gov.bn/Media%20Document%20Library/Brunei%20Today/brunei%20in%20brief_FINAL%202.pdf https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1965/Pelita%20Brunei%206%20Oktober%201965.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180619114820/https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/en/malaysia/plan/destinations/borneo/beautiful-brunei/kampong-ayer-water-village/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250122003714/https://www.bn.emb-japan.go.jp/news/20160520.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160520074714/http://www.bt.com.bn/frontpage-news-national/2016/04/12/hm-pays-last-tribute-ex-chief-minister https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/2016/April/pelitabrunei_130416.pdf <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ff8a8d25a6fae169d8f54b0/t/60429c39b86a496af4919ce6/1614978123624/BRB_2009_40.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

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Brunei and Allah Peliharakan Sultan

0:00 31:26

Chapters

  1. 0:10 Journey to the Nation's Anthem
  2. 1:32 Exploring Brunei: A Journey into the Unknown
  3. 9:11 The Decline of Brunei's Traditional Ways
  4. 22:29 Exploring the National Anthem of Brunei
  5. 28:04 Reflections on the National Anthem of Brunei

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This episode was published on February 7, 2026.

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