KEDAH

Kedah also known by its honorific, Darul Aman. The state of Kedah spans approximately 9, 425 sq. km in the northern part of the Peninsular and together with Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, shares a common border with neighbouring country, Thailand. It is a fairly small state. Its population is about one million primarily Malay, though significant Chinese and Indian minorities can be seen. It is known as the “Rice Bowl of Malaysia” where its rice plains together with Perlis produce more than half of the country’s home grown rice supply. Its state capital is Alor Setar and the royal seat is in Anak Bukit. Other major towns include Sungai Petani, and Kulim on the mainland, and Kuah on Langkawi.

Flag of Kedah

Paddy Field

KEDAH HISTORY

Kedah’s early history can be traced from the prehistoric period to the archeological site of Bujang Valley, the early Maritime trade of India, Persia, Arabs to the written works of the early Chinese pilgrims and early Chinese records, the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa or known as the Kedah Annals to the Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah. Kedah was also known as Kedaram, Kidaram, Kalagam and Kataha by the Tamils. It was known as Kalah or Kalaha by the Persians.

Kedah possess numerous islands, legends, historical relics, hill stations and scenic waterfalls. The legendary and famous island Langkawi is just off Kedah’s western shore. It has Bujang Valley, where evidence of the existence of an early civilisation dating back to the 6th century was found with other archeological discoveries. Not to mention its vast paddy fields spans across the backdrop of rolling hills which provides serenity and breathtaking views.

In the 7th and 8th centuries, the region was dominated by Sri Vijaya. It followed by the Siamese until the 15th century, when the Malay sultanate of Melaka came to power. During this period, the Melakan influences were introduced while the dominant aspects of Kedah’s ancient civilisation began to wane.

In the 17th century, Kedah was attacked by the Portuguese when it conquered various parts of Malaysia. In 1821, Kedah fell into the hands of the Siamese and remained under their control until British took over when the Anglo-Siamese Treaty was signed in 1909. Kedah established independence along with the rest of Malaysia in 1957.

As Kedah is quite close to Thailand, some of its cultural traditions, songs and dances have Thai influences in them. Apart from that, even Kedah’s people often bear signs of Thai or Archinese ancestry looks.

INTERESTING PLACES IN KEDAH

While in Kedah as we studies in Kolej MARA Kuala Nerang which in Kedah,we have ask around where are the best places to visit. Here, we compiled a few places that are significant to Kedah.

• ALOR SETAR TOWER

Standing at 165.5 meters tall, the Alor Setar Tower is the 19th tallest telecommunication tower in the world. It also caters as a tourist destination in the heart of Alor Setar apart from serving as a telecommunication tower. There’s an observation deck at the tower to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim months. The deck is at the height of 88 meters.

Alor Setar Tower

• BUJANG VALLEY

His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Kedah officiated the Archeology Museum Bujang Valley on 23rd January 1980 at Batu Pahat Hill. It was the first archaeology museum built in Malaysia. Bujang Valley served as an old centre of international and entreport trade for Malaysia in ancient times. There are numerous artefacts that were found in the valley. These include celadon, porcelain, stoneware, clay, pottery, fragments of glass, beads and Persian ceramics.

Bujang Valley

• KILIM RIVER CRUISE

The Kilim Nature Park spreads over an area of 100sq. km that features a mixture of protected green mangrove forests, isolated white beaches and blue lagoons. Through this river cruise, you will be able to witness the wonders of the park’s marine ecosystem, flora and fauna and its natural habitats. You’ll get to see eagles here, in a great number too. The eagles include white-bellied fish eagle, brahminy kite and the gigantic sea eagles. You might even get the chance to feed them. Birdwatchers would love this place as it is a great place to do so during the migratory seasons in September and March.

The cruise will come to the Andaman Sea, located in the northern coast as it exits the Kilim River through The Hole in the Wall. It is named after a narrow opening between walls of limestone cliffs that connect the river to the open sea. It is at this narrow gap which provides a sheltered area for a fish farm. Visitors could hand feed the various marine life – groupers, bat fish, blue spotted stingrays, lobsters, mantis prawns and snappers. It also has a floating restaurant where visitors could choose their seafood selection from the fish farm and have the restaurant cooked the way they desired.

Kilim Geoforest Park

• DAYANG BUNTING LAKE 

This lake has its own legend. It was said by the old people that the lake was a favourite bathing pool of a celestial princess named Mambang Sari. A prince named Mat Teja, fell for her and tricked her into marrying him. They had a child together and on the seventh day, the child died from a mysterious illness. Saddened and distraught, Mambang Sari left the child’s body in the lake and returned to her heavenly home. To this day, there’s a belief that barren women who bathe in this lake will be endowed with a child. That is how the lake got its name – lake of the pregnant maiden. Many have claimed to be successful after bathing in the lake. Well, to me it is just a rumors. Hehehe. Because in my opinion,everyone can be successful if we try be successful. Miracle is another name of hardwork.

Dayang Bunting Lake



• LANGKAWI ISLAND

According to local folklore, Langkawi (Malaysia) had derived its name from the word eagle or “lang” while in old Malaysian, “kawi” denotes reddish brown — hence Langkawi actually means “reddish brown eagle”. As a result, this eagle statue has become a well-known icon for Langkawi. Langkawi isn’t just one big island, but a collection of around 100 islands that form an archipelago. While most are uninhabited, a few have been designated for tourism so that visitors from all over the world can admire and appreciate the magical beauty of Langkawi. There are many island tours available from operators to get you started. Note that most tours do not operate during the monsoon season from July to mid-September as the seas become choppy and potentially dangerous. The most popular islands in Langkawi is Pulau Payar Marine Park, Pulau Rebak, Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Bumbon, Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Tuba.

• ISTANA ANAK BUKIT

Anak Bukit is a royal town for the northern state of Kedah and one of the state assembly districts in Kedah and also the Parliament Constituency of Kuala Kedah. It is located 7 km from Alor Setar city center and connected by Darul Aman Highway.

Anak Bukit also is a birthplace and a resident of Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, the Sultan of Kedah. Istana Anak Bukit is the Sultan's royal palace, which is located here.

Gate of Istana Anak Bukit

• MOUNT JERAI

Formerly known as Kedah peak. Mountain Jerai is a massive limestone outcrop rising 1200m above sea level. The cool fresh mountain air is matched by the quiet serenity of it's natural surroundings. On clear days, different vantage points on the mountain offers spectaculars views of the rolling rice field of Kedah stretching up to Perlis in the north; the emerald seas surrounding Penang in the south-west and the legendary islands of Langkawi in the north-west.
A forestry museum is also located in the vicinity of this resort, displaying various species of wood available within the Mountain Jerai forest complex. 

Mount Jerai

KEDAH CUISINE

Feast on mouth-watering delicacies and traditional gourmet offered by Kedah. Not only they are unique but it appeals to the whole wide range of food lovers.

• Rice Delights

As Kedah is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Malaysia’ and rice being the staple food in Malaysia, it has several distinctive rice delights that whets up any appetite. One of the local’s favourite is Nasi Ulam. It is actually rice mixed with various fresh raw vegetables and rare spices. Ingredients include ginger flower, dried shrimp, bird’s eye chilli, and cucumber and fruit julienne. It also has kerisik or known as toasted grated coconut. This is a very vital ingredient as it gives texture to the mixture and aroma to the rice. It also gets its share of lime juice and palm sugar gravy. It can be eaten like that alone or paired with meat or other dishes. It is usually eaten during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Popular among people living in northern Kedah, the Pulut is one of their famous rice dishes. It is glutinous rice which is paired with fruits such as mango, durian and bananas. Aside from fruits, it could incorporate savoury side dishes such as sambal. Pulut Inti and Tapai Pulut are other variations of glutinous rice found here.

• Laksa

The laksa is another popular dish among the people of Kedah as well as other states in Malaysia. The dish consists of thick rice noodles or rice vermicelli and is eaten with fish curry, cucumber slices and onions. It exudes the rich fish broth with spices and is slightly spicy and sweet.

It also has Laksam, a specialty also found in Kelantan and Terengganu. It is made with very thick flat white rice flour noodles in rich white gravy. The gravy is prepared from fish and coconut milk. Traditionally, laksam is eaten with hands due to the gravy’s thick consistency but now it is eaten with eating utensils.

Laksa Kedah

• Desserts

Kedah’s taste buds are more inclined to the sweet side hence desserts and sweet dishes are popular here. These sweet indulgences include Baulu and Dodol. These sweet cakes are made from flour, coconut and sugar.

Baulu

Dodol

Kuih Karas is also a popular dessert here. The crispy, sweet kuih that resembles fried vermicelli can be widely found at stall and markets around Kedah. Another sweet delicacy here is Serabai, a rice flour pancake laced with thin syrup made of coconut milk and sweetened with palm sugar.

Kuih Karas

• Others

Traditional local delights include Gulai Nangka or known as jack fruit curry. The locals have a penchant for spicy food. Their dishes heighten their curries with the use of tamarind and sambals. It is also popular with Sayur Kelado and Pekasam.

Ikan Pekasam

Gulai Nangka

Kedah is also famous for its seafood. Grilled fish is one of the many local favourites. Fish choices include ikan terubuk, kembung, pari and keli. They are usually marinated in spices before grilled. You can try its chilli crabs, grilled squids or prawns. Salted fish and fish crackers are quite a delicacy here too.

KEDAH CULTURE

As a multi-racial country, Malaysia has multiple races living together. Majority are Malays, Chinese and Indian. It is no exception in Kedah, except that it also has Thais living among them. Although Islam is the national religion of the country, freedom of worship is guaranteed throughout the whole Malaysia. These include Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism.

Bahasa Malaysia is the national language of Malaysia and it is widely used and spoken till this day. The locals also have their own slang and dialects. However, English is also spoken in majority parts of the country. Hence, language is not a barrier for those visiting to Malaysia especially Kedah.

Kedah’s architecture and lifestyle reflect its tradition of cultural diversity. This can be seen in their food, songs and dances. Among the local traditional songs and dances which are reflective of daily lives are Tarian Cinta Sayang, Lagu-lagu Berendoi and Wayang Kulit.

In Kedah, the Silat is also popular. It is a form of traditional Malay self-defence before guns and rifles are brought in. The silat comes in various forms and normally performed at occasions such as weddings and formal or traditional functions.