Bandar Seri Begawan - Twenty Japanese visitors from Shizuoka Prefecture visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday to attend a cultural exchange at the Multi Purpose Hall.
The event, jointly organised by the UBD Language Centre and the BJFA UBD Chapter, enabled the students to learn more about each other`s culture.
According to Kazumi Kato, an English teacher from Japan who has visited Brunei on such a programme, "This is a chance for the students to learn about the difference in family life, the Islamic culture and how warm the-Brunei family is".
This was a reference to the Japanese students staying at the homes of Bruneians as part of their cultural exchange programme, half of whom are living in Kampong Subok.
The Japanese students introduced a number of their cultural games and traditions to the locals, including Shodou (Japanese calligraphy), Fukuwarai and Kendama (Japanese games), singing Japanese songs (Fuji-san and Hitotsu Dake No Hana) and Bonoudori (Japanese dance).
In return, the UBD students showed Bruneian culture in the form of Jawi calligraphy, Congkak, Silat and a performance by a local artist, Ak Hj Mohd Khairul Amilin Pg Hj Yahya.
In all the activities, both the Japanese visitors and the Bruneian students were encouraged to participate.
Yesterday was the first day of their five-day visit to Brunei organised by the Bersatu Association and Subok Village Council before they leave on August 26, 2007.
Source: www.brudirect.com (25 Agustus 2007)
