Participating Countries - Ministry of Defence

Fast acts
Issue 1 | 29 Jamadilawal 1432H | 3 rd May 2011M
What is a Military Tattoo?
By: Adilah Affendi
A MILITARY tattoo originally meant a
drum performance carried out by a military
band. The word ‘tattoo’ has its origins
from the use of the Dutch words, ‘tap toe’.
Through time, the words evolved to ‘taptoo’
(taptoo) then into the word ‘tattoo’.
Its use dates back to the 17th century
when the British were fighting in Belgium
and the Netherlands which are commonly
known as the Low Countries. It was a
routine back then, that every evening
drummers from garrisons were ordered
to play in the nearby towns starting from
2130H (9:30pm) to the curfew time at
2200H (10:00pm). This routine, known as
‘doe den tap toe’ which is Dutch for ‘turn
off the taps’ serves to remind the soldiers
to return to the barracks. This procedure
literally served as a command for soldiers
to return home for the night.
As time passed, these tattoos were
treated more and more as a show, where
throughout the years, other performances
and displays were included. In many
occasions, shows were organized with the
aid of various lighting effects including
the use of floodlights and firework
displays. Today, tattoos are treated as
big events, where military bands from
different countries would take part in an
International Tattoo.
What is the Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo?
NOT missing out on this special military
tradition, Brunei Darussalam had her
first ever military tattoo about 4 years
after the establishment of the Royal
Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) on the
28th of August 1965. The tattoo was
held at the Padang Arena, Seria in Kuala
Belait and involved military band displays,
assault courses, gymnastics and mass
aerobic dance performances. One of the
most captivating performances then was
the pipes, drums and bugles of the 2nd
Battalion, the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own
Gurkha Rifles, based in Seria who played
Over the Sea to Skye and Scotland the
Bravo. Also not forgetting the astounding
fire drill performance and assault course
race specially performed by the RBMR’s ‘C’
Company.
A second tattoo was held in May 1970, in
conjunction with RBMR’s 9th anniversary,
dubbed ‘Tattoo – Lampu Suloh’. It was
held in 3 consecutive evenings and was
graced by the presence of the late father
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Source: www.worldmilitarybands.com
of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-
Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul
Khairi Waddien along with members of
the Royal Family. In the same year, the
RBMR military band was also involved in
an international regimental event called
the Royal Tournament at Earls Court,
London in United Kingdom, as shown in
the pictures below.
Brunei Darussalam saw another military
tattoo in 1977 in the Tutong District,
but it was in the year 1992, that Brunei
Darussalam’s military tattoo was held
at an international level. Conducted at
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium it saw
participation of military bands from ASEAN
countries including the Royal Guard from
the Sultanate of Oman. Fourteen years
later in 2006, an international tattoo
was again held at the same venue in
conjunction with His Majesty, Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah,
the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam’s 60th Birthday Celebrations.
This special tattoo was recorded in the
Guinness Book of World Records, for the
most participating countries held in a
military tattoo with 13 countries taking
part comprising of 1290 performers and
officials altogether.
This year, the Brunei Darussalam
International Tattoo 2011 (BIT 2011) will be
held from the 31st of May to the 2nd of
June 2011 at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal
Bolkiah Sports Complex to commemorate
the RBAF’s 50th Anniversary or its
Golden Jubilee. The BIT 2011 promises
the audience spectacular and beautiful
performances from Brunei Darussalam,
Australia, the People’s Republic of China,
the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia,
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the
Republic of Philippines, the Republic of
Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, the
United Kingdom and the United States of
America.
SHAPING UP BIT 2011
THE famous Brunei Darussalam
International Tattoo (BIT) is coming to
town again this year and this time as
a commemoration of the Royal Brunei
Armed Forces Golden Jubilee. Held from
31 May till 2nd June 2011, it will promise
a myriad of musical and military stunts
from 11 participating countries. Taking
part are military bands from Australia, the
People’s Republic of China, the Republic of
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Islamic Republic
of Pakistan, the Republic of Philippines,
the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom
of Thailand, the United Kingdom and the
United States of America which will be led
by the host nation Brunei Darussalam.
The committee has called the Indoor
Stadium Hassanal Bolkiah Sports
Complex, the venue for BIT 2011, their
temporary home since early February
this year and has been working day and
By: Redzwan Kamaruddin
night to ensure the spectacular event
goes unspoiled. Meetings, rehearsals and
previews became daily routine for both the
organizing committee and performers.
The performers, whom have received
positive comments and word of motivation
during these previews, have worked
tirelessly and effortlessly during the past
few months to ensure the perfection of
BIT 2011.
A Promotion Day for BIT 2011 was also
held on 19th April 2011 solely for BIT
supporters and contributors. The warm
hospitality from the BIT 2011 Committee
included a special speech by the BIT 2011
Chairman Col (U) Hj Jofri bin Hj Abdullah
and a sneak video clip preview of BIT 2011
preparations. The event was organized
for the supporters and contributors as
a token of appreciation from the BIT
Issue 1 | 29 Jamadilawal 1432H | 3 rd May 2011M
Organizing Committee for their generous
contributions to the event.
Not content with merely overseeing
the military aspects of the tattoo, the
cultural portion of the main event was
also given an equal interest. On 21st
April 2011, officials from the BIT 2011
Organizing Committee and the Ministry
of Culture, Youth and Sports attended a
Cultural Performance Preview at the Royal
Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Park Polo Club in
preparation for the Welcoming Reception
that is to be held on the 27th May 2011.
All these preparations are activities that
have been going on behind the scenes,
in ensuring that BIT 2011 surpasses both
spectators’ and participants’ expectation’s
through their articulations of a rewarding,
fun, memorable and exhilarating
experience.
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