Kelantan is a state located in northeast Malaysia with a population that is over 95% Muslim. It has a unique culture seen in its cuisine like nasi dagang and ayam percik, and arts/crafts including wayang kulit puppet theater and silat martial arts. The economy relies on agriculture like rice and rubber production as well as handicraft industries. Popular tourist destinations showcase this culture at places like the Royal Museum and beaches along the South China Sea coast.
3. The Sultan
of Kelantan
The State Executive
Council / Menteri Besar
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan
Muhammad Faris Petra Ibni
Sultan Ismail Petra
Dato' Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat
4. RELIGIOUS GROUPS
As of 2010 the population of Kelantan is :
95.2% Muslim
3.8% Buddhist
0.3%Christian
0.2% Hindu
0.5% follower of other religions or non-religious.
ethnic dialects
5. THE UNIQUENESS OF KELANTAN
CUISINE
ARTS
AND
CRAFTSECONOMY
INTERESTING
PLACES
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is DarulNaim, ("The Blissful Abode").Kelantan is positioned in the north-east of Peninsular Malaysia. It is bordered by Narathiwat Province of Thailand to the north, Terengganu to the south-east,Perak to the west, and Pahang to the south. To the north-east of Kelantan is the South China Sea.Kelantan is located in the north-eastern corner of the peninsula, Kelantan, which is said to translate as the "Land of Lightning" (see alternate theories below), is an agrarian state with lush paddy fields, rustic fishing villages andcasuarina-lined beaches. Kelantan is home to some of the most ancient archaeological discoveries in Malaysia, including several prehistoric aboriginal settlements.CapitalKotaBharuRoyalcapitalKotaBharuGovernment • SultanSultan Muhammad V • MenteriBesarNik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (PAS)10 DistrictsDistricts in Kelantan are called Jajahans, though actually the direct translation of Tanah Jajahan in Malay to English is 'Occupied Territories'.
The Sultan of Kelantan is the Constitutional Ruler of his State. The role, duties and powers of the Sultan are as laid out in the State's constitution and other state laws. The Constitution proclaims that the executive power of the state is vested in the sultan, that he is the Head of the Religion of Islam in the state and that he is the source of all honours and dignities in the state. The current ruler of the State is Duli Yang MahaMulia Sultan Muhammad Faris Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra.The State Executive Council is established by the constitution. It is composed of the MenteriBesar, who is its chairman, and ten other members. The MenteriBesar and other members of the council are appointed by the Sultan of Kelantan from members of the State Assembly. The current MenteriBesar is Dato' Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (Tok Guru), a religious teacher and Mursyidul Am (spiritual leader) of PAS
They are just like other Malays who are from various ethnic group such as Bugis, Minang, Palembang, Aceh, Jambi, Banjar, Jawa and Sulu.Kelantanese Malay dialect is distinguished from standard Malay as well as other Malay dialects by its unique grammar, pronunciation and figures of speech.The minority ethnic Thai inhabitants of Kelantan are mostly centered in an area around the coastal town of Tumpat, site of most of the state's two hundred or so Buddhist temples, and noteworthy for its number of relatively well-off Siamese villages.The dialect of the Thai language spoken in Kelantan is called "TakBai", after the southernmost coastal town TakBai of Narathiwat Province, just across the Golok River from MalaysiaBuddhism is also visible, in that hundreds of Thai wats also known as 'ketik' can be found throughout the state. The longest statue of a reclining Buddha in Southeast Asia can be found in WatPhotivihan, in Tumpat.Chinese assimilation in Kelantan is manifested as: "Malay behaviour as frontstage and Chinese behaviour as backstage". "Frontstage" or public behaviour includes speaking Kelantanese Malay even when among themselves, adopting Malay-style clothing, and observing certain Malay customs and holidays. "Backstage" or private behaviour includes maintaining certain traditional Chinese beliefs and customs confined only within the home.Much of Chinese culture still continues until today; such as lion and dragon dancing during the CNY, temple celebration, eating bakchang (meat dumpling), mooncake, baby fullmoon, pulutkuning, telurmerah, eat 'e' (tangyuan), religious celebration including praying Na Tuk Kong. They also cook 'bakhong', 'uang (meatball)' during the wedding ceremony and ' kiammai' during the funeral.The village of KampungTok'kong in the Kelantan state of Malaysian is well known for a historically significant Chinese Temple known as SengChoonKeong.Chinese Kelantanese prefer to conduct their wedding party at home rather than at a restaurant.Orang Asli, mostly Temiar are people who have lived in the forests of Kelantan and Perak for thousands of years. Some of the Temiar maintain traditional beliefs in their natural surroundings and other forms of animist elements, while some of them have embraced Islam, instead. Kelantan shows an example of a Malaysian state in which all of races can live in the peace and harmony.As of 2010 the population of Kelantan is 95.2% Muslim, 3.8% Buddhist, 0.3%Christian, 0.2% Hindu, 0.5% follower of other religions or non-religious.Population distribution and basic demographic characteristic 2010, by department of statistic msia
Due to Kelantan's relative isolation and largely rural lifestyle, Kelantanese culture differs somewhat from Malay culture in the rest of the peninsula; this is reflected in the cuisine, arts, and the peculiar Kelantanese Malay dialect, which is unintelligible even for some speakers of standard Malay.The largely rural state preserves rich Malay traditions such as kite-flying contests, top-spinning contests, and bird singing competitions, and traditional handicrafts such as batik, songket, and silver crafts. As a border state and former vassal state of Thailand, Kelantan has absorbed influences from Thai customs and traditions that help to make the state's culture distinct from those of other states of Malaysia. The Kelantanese people, regardless of ethnic origin, are proud of their state and its unique local culture and dialect.To most Malaysians, Kelantan is synonymous with Malay arts and crafts. Kota Bharu, as the state capital, is a popular centre for such pursuits as silat, martial arts, and kertok drumming. Here, too, more than any other place in Malaysia, the traditional pastimes of top-spinning — known as gasing — and the flying of giant, elaborately-decorated kites called wau, are still much in evidence.
Kelantan has a chiefly agrarian economy dominated by rice, rubber and tobacco. Fishing along its 96-kilometre coastline is also an important economic activity. Cottage industries which employ traditional skills in handicraft production such as batik, woodcarving andsongket weaving are also evident. Logging activities are active given the vast remaining area of forest. In recent years, tourism, especially to offshore islands, has increased in importance. A few reputable hotels have been established and more modern shopping malls have been opened to cater for urban folks.Kota Bharu, the capital, is the major urban centre, and there are also plans to open up the southern portion of the state under an ambitious multi-million-dollar development project. The main market at the city centre is a top attraction.Kelantan has become the first state to introduce the gold dinar and silver dirham as official currency.
The main market at the city centre is a top attraction.SitiKhadijah MarketA good way to get to know a Malaysian town is to visit its markets, the economic centre of the community. The SitiKhadijah Market is named after Prophet Muhammad's entrepreneurial wife – a fitting name for a market mostly run by women. This market has something for everyone, from fresh produce to traditional crafts and cakes. It is also a slice of life in Kelantan, abuzz with colour, scents and sounds of the local community.
Kelantan has become the first state to introduce the gold dinar and silver dirham as official currency
The Kelantanese cuisine, heavily influenced by Thai cuisine, is quite popular amongMalaysians. In fact, many visitors come to Kelantan just to taste the special delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere. The use of sugar is a must in every Kelantanese kitchen, and thus most Kelantanese dishes are sweet.Kelantanese food makes more use of coconut milk than anywhere else in the country. Curries are richer, creamier, and more influenced by the tastes of nearby Thailand.SpecialtyDescriptionNasidagangThis is a mix of white rice and brown glutinous rice which is cooked with coconut milk, blended onions, garlic and some spices (such as fenugreek) (halba). Fish or chicken curry is usually a complementary dish, together with a mild brown sugared sambal (chili paste).NasikerabuNasiKerabu literally means "rice salad". Kelantan has a variety of nasikerabu. Nasikerabubiasa ("normal"), putih("white"), hitam ("black", though the actual color is blue after the flower used as colouring in the recipe) and kuning("yellow"), for the turmeric used in the cooking process). Each kerabu is usually served with a matching, traditionalsambal. The kerabu (salad) itself can be any combination of vegetables or edible leaves. It is also served with fried breaded fish, keropokkeping (see below), salted egg, soloklada (chillies stuffed with minced fish and grated coconut), and pickled garlic. Importantly, a sauce called budu must be included for the dish to qualify.NasitumpangRice packed in a cone-shaped banana leaf. A pack of nasitumpang consists of an omelette, meat floss, chicken and/or shrimp curry and sweet gravy. It is traditionally meant for travellers.AyampercikWood-fire broiled chicken dressed with sweet coconut gravy. Ayamgolek/ayampercik is eaten with white rice in major family dishes and is served during feasts.NasiberlaukA popular breakfast food for the Kelantanese. Nasiberlauk is rice served with fish or chicken and vegetables cooked with turmeric and galangal infused yellow gravy.NasiulamUlam is the local term for raw vegetables - the meal consists of white rice served with a variety of raw vegetables, and is one of the healthier dishes found in Malay cuisine.KeropokThese are Kelantanese crackers and can be made from fish, prawns or squid. The way they are made is similar to keropokgote, but after they are steamed or boiled and thinly sliced and dried for storage or further cooking.KeropoklekorThese are Kelantanese fish sausages. Made by combining fish flesh and sago or tapioca flour, keropoklekor is rolled into long firm sticks and then steamed or boiled. To enjoy it, one has to cut it into desired bite sized and deep fried. It is a popular schoolchildren's snack food.LaksaKelantanThe laksa dish, white noodles served with gravy (curry or otherwise) and vegetables, is made differently in every state in Malaysia. The laksa in Kelantan is richer and has a more full-bodied flavour. The main ingredient is fish flesh. Laksam is another version, with a thicker noodle (similar to kueyteow). Laksa or laksam is served with ulam similar to that in nasikerabu, with a pinch of salt and belacan, a fermented shrimp paste.SomtamSomtam is a green papaya salad with a salty, spicy, and sour taste. The main items in it are young, unripe papaya, soy sauce, groundnuts, fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies. These items are combined in a mortar, pounded with a pestle for few seconds and served. The salty and lime juicy taste is very popular. This light dish is widely available in regions with large numbers of ethnic Thais, such as Tumpat and Siamese wats.ColekContrary to popular belief, Colek is not just a dipping sauce, but can also refer to a snack eaten with the sauce. Colek comes in various forms, including meaty cholek, colekayam (chicken), colekperut (cow tripe), colekpelepong (cow or lamb lung; usually fried plain), and also a variety of colekbuah(fruits; usually unmatured, thus crunchy and taste sour) such as colekpauh (mango).The sauce or "the colek" comes in various forms. • Colekmanis (with brown sugar). • A sweet, sour and very mildly hot version. This colek is different from other chili sauces because colek is very thin and rather sweet. This dipping sauce is used for chicken, and also goes well with shrimp, fish cake, spring roll, sausage, etc.BuduBudu is a salted (fermented) anchovy sauce eaten mainly as flavouring with rice, grilled fish and vegetables/salads (ulam). A bit of lime juice, hot chilis and shallots are added on for taste. Also, tempoyak (fermented durian) or fresh durian is added for good measure. Once so combined, the purple-brownish condiment has a blend of salty and sour taste. Sometimes, budu is used in cookings as part of the ingredient.Nowadays, other types of fish are also used to create Budu. Famous budu maker villages are Kg. Tawang, Bachok and Kg. Penambang near Kota Bharu. Similar sauces are found in the Philippines and Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia).TempoyakTempoyak is a fermented durian dip, used with normal white rice. Most unforgettable is eating the 'tempoyak+budu+ulam'.Those with high blood pressure should beware of the high salt content of this condiment, however.PhatphetAnother famous Thai dish is 'phatphetbelut'. The main ingredient of this cooking is eel. Many Thai restaurants around Tumpat and WakafBharu make this dish their main attraction. Some customers prefer it spicy, and some prefer it less spicy. This dish is not easy to cook; it needs some experience in handling the heat, natural ingredients, salt, and the eel itself. This dish is also influenced by Chinese cuisine, for whom there is a belief that eating this exotic food is more healthy.
Kelantan is known as the cradle of Malay culture based on the diverse cultural activities practised by Kelantanese.[6] Among the popular cultural practices are Dikir Barat, WayangKulit Kelantan, WayangKulitMelayu, Mak Yong, Menora, Main Puteri, WauBulan(kite-flying), Gasing (top-spinning), Silat, bird-singing competition and handicrafts.Among the handicraft products that are songket, batik, silverware and mengkuang. The KandisRecource Centre provides information on the Kelantanese wood carving.
WatPhothivihan was completed in 1979 and is famous for its Reclining Buddha statue. It is often mistakenly described as South East Asia's biggest reclining Buddha .it is Malaysia's biggest with a length of 40 meters, 7m
PantaiCahayaBulan. I knew from my map that this beach (translated as Moonlight Beach) is the closest beach to Kota Bharu but it was too far to walk.When I was approached by a friendly tricycle driver I asked him whether he could take me there. He spoke no English and my knowledge of Malay is sadly lacking but a friendly woman translated for us. He said yes he would gladly take me to PantaiCahayaBulan (PCB) but that it was seven miles away (11km) and he would charge me RM30.Now I knew from a guidebook that it only costs RM20 by taxi and that a bus fare is just RM1 but he seemed a nice old chap and I was in no hurry so I agreed.
GELANGGANG SENI (CULTURAL CENTRE)Located on Jalan Mahmud close to the Perdana Hotel, the cultural centre is a veritable showcase of the living heritage of Kelantan. Demonstrations of popular folk arts and pastimes are held daily. WayangKulit (shadow puppetry) shows, Silat (the Malay art of self defence) performances, Gasing (Top spinning) displays, Wau (Kite flying) and Rebana (Giant Drum) playing can all be seen at the centre. Evenings see cultural performances featuring traditional Malay music and WayangKulit.The cultural centre is open three times a week from March to October each year. Performance times are 3.30pm to 5.50pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and 9.00pm to midnight on Wednesday and Saturday.:: HISTORICAL ZONEThe main cultural and historical zone of Kota Bharu is situated along JalanHilir Kota and Jalan Sultan where many museums and heritage buildings are located. Some museums charge a nominal fee for admission.:: ROYAL MUSEUM / ISTANA BATU The Istana Batu (Brick/Stone Palace) was constructed in 1939 during the reign of Sultan Ismail. It houses the Royal Museum and was previously used as the venue for royal weddings and as a guest house for visiting royalty.The Royal Museum now serves as a repository for the history of the Kelantan royal family and displays regalia, pictures, silverware, furniture and palace items of former Sultans. Opening times 8.30am to 4.45pm daily - except Fridays.:: WORLD WAR TWO MEMORIAL / BANK KERAPUOriginally constructed in 1911, Bank Kerapu is now a repository for documents, pictures and military paraphernalia of the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945. During the war, the building served as the headquarters of the Japanese Kempetai, the feared secret police.
:: HANDICRAFT VILLAGE & CRAFT MUSEUMWhile the Craft Museum houses many fine examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship, the adjacent Handicraft Village provides visitors the chance to see just how these crafts are made. Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silver work and wood carving are carried out by skilled artisans. Their products are also in sale at the centre.:: STATE MOSQUEConstruction of this mosque was completed during the reign of Sultan Ismail IV after almost a decade of work. Also known as the Al-Muhammadi Mosque or the 'Brick Mosque', it is the centre for Islamic missionary activities in the state.:: ISTANA BALAI BESARBuilt by Sultan Muhammad II in 1840, the Istana BalaiBesar was formerly the residence of past Sultans. However, it is now used solely as a venue for official state functions. The palace boasts a large audience hall, a throne room and a fine collection of royal regalia.:: ISTANA JAHARBuilt in 1887 by Sultan Mohamad II for his grandson, Long Kundur, the Istana Jahar has been transformed into a museum featuring Kelantan's cultural heritage. Photographs and a great variety of artefacts bear testimony to the rich Kelantanese cultural legacy. The building itself is laced with intricate wood carvings, serving as an example of the fine craftsmanship of local artisans.