Amazing Water Village at Kampong Ayer, Brunei Darussalam

Traveling to the less traversed, less popular, and unlikely tourist destinations can be a gratifying and enriching experience. One such place to explore is Kampong Ayer also known as the “Venice of The East” situated in the southeast Asian country Brunei. In its prime past, it was a Water Village, founded over a millennium ago. What makes the village so special is Kampong Ayer is entirely built on stilts.

Not many travelers would fancy Brunei as their favorite destination when planning overseas trips on their much-awaited holidays. However, a visit to the historical, now mostly ignored and dilapidated “Water Village”, Kampong Ayer can be an invigorating experience.

Photos courtesy: Etaf K @soul.of.green, who is based in Brunei.

History of Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer if translated from the local language would read, “Water Village”. It is one of the largest water settlements in the world. Complete and self-sufficient in its heydays, the Brunei River plays a vital role in its existence and sustenance.

Home to over 9,000 residents now, the village had a humble origin centuries ago. Experts claim the initial settlers were a group of sea nomads who built their homes by the river. Later, a greater number of nomads joined and the strength of the community expanded. It was Italian explorer Antonio Pigafetta, who called Kampong Ayer as “Venice of the East” in 1521. As years passed, the village became a city and Kampong Ayer was the primary port of the Bruneian Empire. The port city thrived and became a trading hub for Southeast Asia. The residents made their living through fishing, handicrafts, wood collecting, boat building, and cloth weaving. Floating markets were other attractions that gathered locals and outsiders. From its glorious days, the decline commenced with the arrival of foreign forces to capture the country.

Infrastructure

A self-reliant community that had plentiful resources for its sustenance, Kampong Ayer was a popular dwelling place for the residents of the country. Irrespective of the social standing, the village accommodated everyone. The infrastructure in the village played a vital role in making Kampong Ayer one of the largest water settlements. Besides houses and shops, police stations, schools, fire stations, mosques, hospitals, gyms, and other cultural centers complete the wholeness of the village. Research shows that Nibung palm, mangrove trees, Bulian, and Nipah leaves were used as construction materials for adhesives, roofing, and walls.

Built on stilts, the entire village is connected by a wooden boardwalk spiring around 38 kilometers reaching out to all residents. Due to its geographical location and constraints, the structure and designs of the houses are unique. Of late, utilities like electricity, Wi-Fi, and cable TV are functional in Kampong Ayer attracting more tourists to the village. Unfortunately, the locals are moving out to the mainland city belts.

Tourist prominence

It takes around two hours to walk around the village and explore the life lived in a completely different format. For those from the mainland who have not been to a settlement adjacent to waterbodies, it is difficult to comprehend how delicately poised yet exciting life can be out there. Such water villages are there in different parts of the world. What makes Kampong Ayer exceptional are its centuries-old history, self-sufficiency of the village, and unique construction quotient.

Once at the village, walking along the wooden paths and bridges crisscrossing the entire village is going to be a taxing experience. The narrow lane can challenge you and at the same time excite you. Well, just note that there is no other way to go. Rest assured you are walking into the heart of Kampong Ayer’s most treasured piece of living history.

Among houses and other structures in use, deserted and dilapidated houses will also catch your eye all along. You can only marvel at and wonder how intricate life can be in there. Visiting the village is an opportunity to walk back in time. Traces of centuries-old history and culture of the village are evident everywhere. The closely knit community lives minding their business while you tour around. sewing, weaving, pottery making, fishing, and boat building are their predominant activities in which you can have a first-hand experience. And, a few excited residents would invite you over or mingle with you. An animated talk with them would expose the fact that there is a constant exodus of youngsters from the village moving to the mainland.

Before winding up pay a visit to the Cultural and Tourism Gallery, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Bridge, and Al-Muhtadee Billah Mosque, the primary mosque in the village.

Although there are shops in the village, it won’t be a bad idea to carry your own food and water. Certainly, you could taste the local items such as prawn crackers and traditional Kuih sweets and cakes or beef-broth noodle soup with spices.

How about buying products like wooden arches, tudung saji food covers, baskets, or mats from the locals?

Water taxi tour

Water taxis are convenient boats to accommodate around half a dozen passengers. Such taxis ply across to transport people, for commerce and tour. Opting for a tour to the nearby mangrove forests once you are done with the Kampong Ayer, can be a good option. A glimpse of Brunei’s riverside wildlife, such as proboscis monkeys, monitor lizards and crocodiles will be entertaining.

How To reach Kampong Ayer?

By air: the distance between Brunei International Airport to Kampong Ayer is barely 15 kilometers.

Once in the city, you can opt for a bus, taxi, or Dart service which is like Uber to reach the water village. And the distance you have to cover is just about five kilometers at a meager amount.

Water taxi of course is the popular and convenient option given the geography of the location and can be hired from the Bandar Seri Begawan city centre. The primary water taxi jetty is on the river bank just in front of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah shopping mall.