Chinese Image in Traditional Bruneian Literary Texts

The relationship between Brunei and China has existed for a long time through the voyages and trade of Chinese merchants to Brunei, and vice versa. Brunei is renowned for its role as a trading centre and a stopover for traders, especially those from China. This phenomenon has influenced the attitudes or perceptions of Bruneian society towards the Chinese people. As a member of a society sensitive to its affairs, authors record the portrayal or image of the Chinese people in their works. Therefore, this chapter will analyse traditional Bruneian literary texts to identify the image of Chinese people in these texts. Among the texts analysed are Syair Awang Semaun, Syair Rajang, Syair Rakis, Silsilah Raja-Raja Brunei , and Shaer Yang Di-Pertuan . The result of this study shows that the image of Chinese people in traditional Bruneian literary texts is that of a leader, a merchant, a wise individual, devout in religion, and courteous.