Kampong Kupang

According to folktales, the name of Kampong Kupang was taken in conjunction with the name of a tree called 'pokok kupang'. This tree has its quirks and is different from other trees. Among the differences is that the bark of this tree seems to be overgrown by a type of seashell, which is kupang (blue mussel). These trees grow in small numbers and in high ground such as in the hills. The height of this tree is said to be like a durian tree and its shape is like a durian tree. No one really knows who was the person who first discovered this kupang tree and who first named this village as 'Kampong Kupang'.[3] Due to the fact that this tree from the beginning grew in only a small number, unfortunately at this time this tree is no longer found and may have become extinct.[4]

According to other assumptions, it is also possible that the origin of the name of Kampong Kupang was based on history through the voyage of the 5th Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Bolkiah around 1473 to 1521, telling about the frequency of his diligent travels and stops in the archipelago such as the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and included in the land of the Philippines. While in Java, Sultan Bolkiah was able to see the culture and observe the way the Javanese live their daily life activities such as farming known as the Kedayan tribe. With the crafts of this tribe, he attracted the attention of the Sultan and offered this tribe to settle in Brunei at that time. When they arrived in Brunei, the Kedayan tribe brought from Java was placed on the coast of Kampong Jerudong, they started cultivating and growing rice in that area for many years by moving to other places until they reached Kampong Kupang.[4]

It is very likely that the Kedayan tribe brought by the Sultan came from the Timor, Indonesia from a place called Kupang Pulau Timor and because it was this tribe that first inhabited this village, it is assumed that this village is called 'Kampong Orang Kupang' and abbreviated to Kampong Kupang remains until now. The original inhabitants of the village are pure Kedayan tribes and there was no mixture of tribes or other nations and according to another source another group of tribes also comes from Bandung, Indonesia which were also brought together by the Sultan of Brunei at that time and the legitimacy of the Bandung area still exists in Indonesia but now it has been inhabited by people from a new tribe.[4]

According to another source, the Kedayan tribe that comes from Bandung also resides in Kampong Kupang and lives near a river called Sungai Bandong (Bandong River). This river is used by the Kedayan tribe who come from Bandung as a place to get a daily supply of water for eating and drinking and used as a place to bathe and take water to water gardens and so on. The name and the river still remain today. Based on the similarity of place names in our country with the land of Java (Indonesia), it is highly likely that the story flow has continuity with the history of the 5th Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Bolkiah who brought the Kedayan tribe from Java, so there is a similarity of name and place, among others Sungai Sundai (Sundai River) which is located in Kampong Beribi, Kampong Kupang, Kampong Putat and may be many more.[4]

A total of five areas included within the village, namely Kampong Kupang with an area of 10.0845 square kilometers with 932 villagers; Kampong Maraburong with an area of 9.5429 square kilometers with 602 villagers; Kampong Ikas/Bandong with an area of 5.4957 square kilometers with 22 villagers; Jalan Kerakas Payau village with 448 villagers and Jalan Pulau Beluboh village with 156 villagers.[3]

As of 2018, the village is inhabited by 2,160 people.[3]

The village products found in this village are live flower and fruit nurseries. The residents of this village usually sell the seedlings at Tutong Market every Thursday, Gadong Market on Fridays. There are also sales held at the Forest Horticulture Center every day.[3]

Like other villages, this village has access to several facilities provided by the government such as roads, water, telephone and electricity. There are also several government buildings, namely a mosque (Kampong Kupang Mosque), a government school (Orang Kaya Ali Wanika Setia Diraja Kupang Prmary School), a religious school (Kupang Religious School), two police stations, Maraburong Prison , Al-Islah Centre, Narcotics Control Bureau (both buildings are placed in a special area), vegetable and fruit stalls (which houses 14 stalls).[3]