BY James Kon

Mohd Faiz bin Haji Morsidi’s Legenda Adin dan Telaga Penawar on Sunday emerged as the winning author of the Brunei History Centre’s Drawing and Writing Picture Book Competition 2021.

In an interview, Mohd Faiz said the story was folklore from Kampong Tanjong Nangka, where he came from. He said, “It is a story of three brothers, Adin, Ugang and Musa.

“One day, the father found a mysterious small plant burning in a fire. Believing the plant would bring luck, he brought it back and divided it among the three siblings.

“Adin, the eldest, took the root. Ugang took the plant stem and Musa took the leaf.

“A few years later, Musa became a tireless, hardworking man. Ugang became an individual with extraordinary strength. However, Adin‘s body became weak and he found it difficult to do work.” Mohd Faiz said after readers reach the end of the tale, he hoped they would learn that siblings must support each other no matter what circumstances they find themselves in.

Mohd Faiz was inspired to write the story after the launch of the Adin Bisa recreational trail at Kampong Tanjong Nangka. Adin Bisa was a nickname the villagers gave the eldest brother, he said.

He said it was possible to find a well, or telaga that was dug up by Adin during the time he was hiding in the jungle from the villagers.

“It is today known as Telaga Adin Bisa,” said Mohd Faiz, who also won a children’s picture book competition in Singapore.

A prize presentation ceremony was held at the Brunei History Centre on Sunday. Nine Brunei history picture books were also launched.

Legenda Naga Bukit Tempayan Pisang by Siti Nur Hamizah binti Haji Hamzah won second place and Sultan Bolkiah by Haji Shahwardy bin Haji Hamdan, came in third place.

Consolation prizes went to Ong Sum Ping by Zulfikar Ali bin Haji Sion; Tambah Besar dan Tambah Damit by Mohamad Fadhil bin Norzelan; Ikan Sumpit-Sumpit dan Awang Semaun by Suhaili bin Haji Mohd Yusof; Sejarah Masjid Kampung Telisai by Adibah binti Abdul Kadir; Sejarah Pulau Labi Labi by Suhaili bin Haji Mohd Yusof and Kisah Pohon Bali Angin by Siti Radiah binti Haji Ahim.

The competition held from June to November 2021, was open to the public.

Meanwhile, Deputy Principal of the Brunei History Centre Hanafi bin Haji Salleh said they selected 13 entries out of some 20 from 16 participants, based on content, style of language and illustrations.

The deputy principal added that over the past two years, sales of picture books have been rising, with 659 books sold in 2021 and 923 in 2022.

He hoped this would encourage writers and artists to carry out research to produce works that can enrich local reading material on Brunei history.

Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan was the guest of honour. Also present was Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin