Bolkiah

Bolkiah refers to the ruling royal family of Brunei, known formally as the House of Bolkiah. The dynasty has governed Brunei for centuries, and its members continue to play a central role in the country’s political, ceremonial, and economic life. The name Bolkiah is used as a dynastic surname by the Bruneian royal line.

Origins and history: The lineage takes its name from Sultan Bolkiah, traditionally dated to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and regarded as the founder of the Bolkiah branch of Brunei’s sultanate. Under Bolkiah’s era Brunei developed into a regional Malay sultanate with influence over parts of Borneo. Over subsequent centuries the Bolkiah line remained Brunei’s ruling house.

Notable figures and role: The current sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, was born in 1946 and has reigned since 1967. As Brunei’s head of state, the sultan exercises supreme executive authority. The Bolkiah family has presided over Brunei’s modernization and its economy, underpinned by large oil and natural gas revenues.

Modern era: The Bolkiah dynasty remains at the apex of Brunei’s governance and society, with royal family members occupying prominent positions in government, business, and ceremonial life. The dynasty’s long tenure contributes to Brunei’s distinctive model of governance, often described as a Malay Islamic Monarchy.