Brunei is an independent sultanate on the island of Borneo in the Malay Archipelago. The country is officially named Brunei Darussalam. It had been a British protectorate since 1888. The sultanate gained independence in 1984 andobserves its National Day each year on February 23. Many people prepare months in advance to participate in colorful crowd formations, a favorite National Day event, and prayer services take place at mosques around the officiallyMuslim country.