Kiulap

What’s in a name? Kiulap, a bustling village nestled in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, owes its name to humble beginnings. Imagine Kiulap in the 1930s, not the commercial hub it is today, but a patchwork of farms and fields. People traveled from surrounding villages to cultivate pepper, paddy, gambir, and tobacco. Tired farmers sought respite in small huts called “sulap” or “chulap”. Over time, this haven for weary workers lent its name to the area, transforming “sulap” into the Kiulap we know today. Kiulap wasn’t always easily accessible. Before the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Highway sliced through in the 1980s, reaching Kiulap involved a boat trip or a trek through the Kubur Rangas cemetery. This once-isolated village is now a vibrant commercial center, a far cry from its agricultural roots. But echoes of the past remain. Kiulap was once renowned for its sirih, a type of betel leaf. Even into the 1960s, families toiled in the sirih fields, their harvest destined for the local markets. The heart of Kiulap beats with a strong sense of community. A 30-kilogram copper pot, or Lanjang, stands as a testament to this spirit. Commissioned in 1941, the pot was a collective effort, with each family contributing $4, a considerable sum at the time. Inscribed in Jawi script, the pot proudly proclaims its communal origins: a symbol of the Kampong Kiulap community. This Lanjang, a vessel of shared meals and celebrations, embodies the enduring spirit of Kiulap. From simple farming village to thriving commercial center, Kiulap carries its history within its name, its roads, and even its cooking pots.