What if houses could float? In Kampong Saba Laut they do. This is one of the fascinating stilt settlements that make up Kampong Ayer. Kampong Saba Laut is a unique water village in Bandar Seri Begawan. It is on the Brunei River.
Kampong Ayer is not just one village. It is a cluster of stilt settlements. These settlements comprise six mukims. Kampong Saba Laut is one of the villages within the Mukim Saba.
To understand Kampong Saba Laut one must understand Kampong Ayer. Kampong Ayer has a rich history. People have lived here for over 1300 years. Imagine life on the water. Homes are built on stilts. Walkways connect the houses. Water taxis zip around like cars on a highway.
Antonio Pigafetta called it the Venice of the East in 1521. He was with Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet. His words capture the essence of this water village. It was a bustling hub of activity even then.
Kampong Saba’s history is tied to fishing. Kampong Saba Darat was once called Kampong Pabalat. Residents used balat as fishing tools. Balat are kilong lintau and kabat. Fishermen provided daily necessities. The village got its name over time.
There is another story about the name. SABA is an acronym. It stands for Saya Anak Brunei Asli. This means I am a Native Bruneian Child.
Kampong Saba Darat faced a great fire. The fire led to many legends. One such legend is the Lela Menchanai School. Kampong Saba has produced many religious figures. Reciters and reciters were born in this village.
In 2016 Mukim Saba had a population of 1000. There were 520 males and 480 females. The mukim had 144 households in 144 dwellings. All residents lived in urban areas.
Kampong Saba Laut itself had 84 residents in 2021. It is a small but important part of Kampong Ayer.
Kampong Saba Darat has amenities. These include Saba Darat Primary School. Also Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Religious School. There is a sepak takraw court too. A surau and Dewan Muafakat are also present.
Residents participate in local events. Dikir and Al-Quran recitals are common. They also perform Tausyeh. Majlis Doa Arwah Semukim visits houses. Cemetery maintenance is also a community effort. Some residents produce sweets at home. Others produce dried shrimp and marine goods.
Mukim Saba has a mosque called Balai Ibadat Kampong Saba. Construction finished in 1989. It can hold 500 worshippers.
Kampong Ayer faces modern challenges. Waste management is a persistent issue. Rubbish and sewage float on the water. This harms the environment. Government and NGOs are working to solve this.
Despite the challenges Kampong Saba Laut and Kampong Ayer remain. They are a testament to Brunei’s heritage. These water villages offer a glimpse into the past. They show how people have adapted to life on the river. Kampong Saba Laut is a living piece of history. It shows the enduring spirit of Brunei.