On the banks of Negara Brunei Darussalam River , which flows through Brunei's working capital alphabetic lineament metropolis Bandar Seri Begawan , is a settlement consisting of 42 contiguous stilt villages called Kampong Ayer , or the Water Village , which has been inhabited for over 1 ,300 years. Half of the city’s population alive hither — nigh thirty ,000 people , which is nearly 10% of the entire population of the country. Kampong Ayer is the world’s biggest settlement on stilts.
Apparently , things are quite prissy here. There are schools , law stations , burn downward stations , clinics , markets as well as mosques , all constructed on stilts as well as linked together yesteryear 36 kilometers of walkways as well as footbridges. Houses are uncomplicated but modern as well as built alongside concrete as well as woods , piece older houses are beingness continually repaired alongside modern materials. Each menage is supplied alongside electricity as well as ready clean water. Transport lines , sanitation , garbage disposal organisation , cyberspace access as well as post are simply about of the amenities available.
Photo credit: Bernard Spragg/Flickr
The banks of the Negara Brunei Darussalam River was kickoff settled in all probability inwards the eighth century. From the 15th to the17th century , during the Bruneian Empire menstruum when the Sultanate ruled much purpose of Kalimantan including the southern purpose of the Philippines , the H2O settlement became the centre of the direction as well as an of import trading center. Kampong Ayer’s fortunes declined when the Sultanate dominion came to an cease inwards the 18th century due to the arrival of western powers such equally the Castilian , Dutch as well as the British.
Originally , Kampong Ayer was situated much closer to the rima oris of the Negara Brunei Darussalam River at Kota Batu. It moved inland to its electrical current place most probable inwards the 17th century during the civil state of war betwixt the 13th as well as 14th Sultans of Brunei.
Today , Kampong Ayer is a national heritage as well as efforts are beingness made to save this lifestyle.
Photo credit: thintruman/Flickr
Photo credit: Bernard Spragg/Flickr
Photo credit: Ron Knox 2001/Flickr
Photo credit: e_chaya/Flickr
Photo credit: MyBukit/Flickr
Photo credit: Wilson Loo Kok Wee/Flickr
Photo credit: Wilson Loo Kok Wee/Flickr
Photo credit: Wilson Loo Kok Wee/Flickr
Sources: Wikipedia / The Hindu / Wikipedia / www.bruneiresources.com / Brunei Times