Malay Technology Museum: A Glimpse into Brunei's Past

The Malay Technology Museum, officially opened in 1988, provides a fascinating look into Brunei's cultural and technological history. Located in Kota Batu, the museum is close to other historical landmarks and is part of a complex of museums along the Brunei River. The museum's primary objective is to present early Brunei's technical practices, offering insight into the way of life of the country's inhabitants, who lived in both the water town and on dry ground.The museum features three main galleries :* **Water Village Traditional House Gallery:** Showcases the architecture of houses built in ancient times, focusing on the flourishing settlement of Kampong Ayer. * **Water Village Traditional Technology Gallery:** Displays various crafts practiced by ancient people, highlighting the cottage and handicraft industries in the water village. Exhibits include textile weaving, gold and silversmithing, boat building, and roof construction. * **Inland Traditional Technology Gallery:** Presents the technology of ancient people and the methods they invented to make their lives easier. The gallery features native technology from various communities, such as tools used to make ambulong, tapa garut, and gulanau, as well as cultural objects like rafts, musical instruments, and sugar cane pressing apparatuses.Visitors can expect to see displays of traditional technology, full-scale replicas, and artifacts related to various ethnic groups in Brunei. The museum aims to educate about local historical developments through informative displays, models, and mannequins. While the museum is not highly interactive, it offers a wealth of information about the history of development in Brunei.