Bujang Valley Lembah Buiang, lying between Gunung Jerai in the north and Sungai Muda in the south, is regarded as Malaysia's richest archaeological area.
Lembah Bujang has a deep history that goes back 1,500 years . The rich archaeological finds have at least sealed an important part of Malaysia's history - the evidence that Malaysia and South East Asia had already entered the international arena of economics and ergonomics a long, long time ago.
Bujang Valley stretches all the way from Gunung Jerai in the North to Sungai Muda in the South. The area concentrated around the mouth of Sungai (River) Muda has been of economic importance to Kedah since as early as the 5th Century AD. By the 7th century, trade with the Indians, Arabs and Chinese merchants in the Straits of Melaka had increased tremendously and the Bujang Valley evolved into an entrepôt. The early mariners were totally reliant on the monsoon seasons, which also was dictated by the wind patterns. Therefore, it was impossible to make a voyage from China to India in one season. The traders had to wait out for the wind change in safe harbours such as at Bujang Valley.
With the influx of foreigners and locals alike, places of worship mushroomed - located up in the higher grounds. Kedah's cultural development during this era was strongly influenced by the people from various cultural origins namely a mixture of Indian, Sri Vijayan and Khmer. The valley became an archaeological paradise after the discovery of the candi in the area in the 1840's. Candi came from the word "Chandika' - the name of Lord Siva's wife. She was also known as Durga - the deity of death. The candi, in retrospect has two functions. One; it is a sacred place to pay respect to the deceased members of the royal families. Two; it is a place to conduct religious activities. The candi structure can be divided into 3 sections.
Evidence indicates that the candi (pronounced 'chandi') can be divided into the Buddhist phase from the 5th to the 10th century; and the Hindu phase from the 10th to the 13th or 14th century. Hindu images have been excavated at the various candi sites such as the Ganesha (the elephant faced deity) and the Durga (the consort of Siva) and a bronze
image of Lord Vishnu.
Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum
Just 2km north of Merbok Village, beside the Bujang River, you will find the
Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum which displays artefacts including pottery shards, ceramics and stoneware which dates back 1,500 years. Chinese porcelain, stone carvings, Indian tridents and gemstones from the Middle East are also among the objects displayed here.
The artefacts exhibited here are the results of years of archaeological diggings and surveys carried out since 1845. Some 1,000 of these artefacts are exhibited in the museum while another 2,500 artefacts are still being studied. The numerous artefacts uncovered in the Bujang Valley - celedon, porcelain, stoneware, clay, pottery, fragments of glass, beads and Persian ceramics are exhibited here
The most well-known 'exhibit' at the museum is the Candi Bukit Batu Pahat. It is believed to be built in the 17th Century on the summit of the small hill behind the main building. It contains two principal parts - the vimana or sanctuary, and the mandapa or hall. There are also statues of Indian Gods and Goddesses, similar to those uncovered of historical sites in India.
Officially opened in 1980, the museum is surrounded by cool tropical forests and the Batu Pahat Waterfall is an added attraction for those in search of recreation and knowledge.
http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/early.htm
Kedah has a selection of exclusive events, with the vast majority of
festivities taking place on Langkawi. The state also enjoys all of the country’s
major festivals, which include those of Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist origin. The
highlight of the non-religious events is perhaps the Langkawi Water Festival
held in April. The weather at this time of the year is hot, making it the ideal
time to enjoy water-based fun.
January
Thaipusam:
is a Hindu festival which is celebrated mainly by the Tamil community. The
festival celebrates both the birthday of Lord Murugan and his success in
defeating the demon Soorapadman.
February
Chinese
New Year: lively celebrations take place in Kedah among the Chinese
community over Chinese New Year. This is also often a time for residents to
return to their family homes in other parts of the country therefore some
destinations are quiet during the New Year period. Locals like to buy new
clothes and enjoy festive meals with family as well as make peace with any
friends or relatives with who they have had grievances. Traditional lion and
dragon dances take place in Langkawi and Alor Star.
Sauk Sotong: also known as the ‘Squid Scooping Challenge’,
this popular event is held at Kuala Chenang Jetty and sees flocks of fishermen
battle it out to see who can manage the greatest haul of squids and take the
winning title.
Royal Langkawi International Regatta: now known across
Southeast Asia, this popular event sees boat races involving over 50 yachts
manned by expert sailors from across the globe.
Tour de Langkawi: Southeast Asia’s answer to the Tour de
France, this popular event has been running for over a decade and sees riders
from across the globe compete in a gruelling race from Langkawi to Dataran
Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
March
Chap
Goh Meh: 15 days after the beginning of Chinese New Year celebrations,
the Chinese community celebrates Chap Goh Meh, also known as the Lantern
Festival. It’s traditional on this day to make and consume dumplings known as
tangyuan, made from glutinous rice flour.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: the large Muslim community of
Kedah celebrates Prophet Muhammad’s birthday by visiting mosques for prayer and
contemplation.
April
Easter: Kedah’s Christian community is not especially large,
but Easter celebrations are enjoyed all the same with traditional religious
ceremonies during Holy Week and family get-togethers on Easter Sunday.
Wilderness Langkawi Challenge: this annual sporting event is
akin to a triathlon in terms of challenge and format and sees participants
engage in a combination of cycling, kayaking and running in a bid to secure the
prestigious winner’s title.
Langkawi International Water Festival: Telaga Harbour Park
on Langkawi hosts this fun-filled annual event which sees a variety of
light-hearted games and activities.
Langkawi Koh Adang International Fishing Challenge:
professional anglers and enthusiasts of the sport gather at Langkawi for three
days of competitive fishing.
May
Wesak
Day: this important Buddhist festival is celebrated across the country
and sees the faithful commemorating the three most important events in the life
of the Buddha; his birth, enlightenment and achievement of Nirvana.
June
Langkawi Fire-fighting Competition: the Langkawi Fire and
Rescue Department presents this unusual event in conjunction with the Langkawi
Tourism Association. During the competition, local fire-fighters get to show off
their skills in an effort to promote fire safety habits.
July
Langkawi Food and Fruit Fiesta: all of Malaysia celebrates
food during the month of July, with the events and activities at Langkawi being
especially lively. Visitors can expect restaurants across the state to hold
special gourmet food tastings and present a wider variety of dishes than would
ordinarily be available on menus.
Rambutan Trail: the unusual looking seasonal fruit known as
the rambutan is the focus of this fun event which sees tastings, fruit carving
demonstrations and other odd but entertaining activities.
August
Merdeka
Day: Kedah along with the rest of the country celebrates Merkeda Day, a
national holiday held in commemoration of Malaysia’s declaration of
independence. Typically, large towns and cities enjoy street parties and
firework displays.
September
Mid-Autumn Festival: often referred to as the Moon Cake
Festival, this annual affair sees the Chinese community remember the success
enjoyed by their ancestors against Mongol oppressors during the 14th century.
Locals make and eat tasty moon cakes, since legend holds that their ancestors
distributed details of their rebellion inside these cakes. Lanterns are also
hung outside houses in memory of those used to give signals between Chinese
camps.
October
Hungry Ghosts Festival: is observed by both Buddhist and
Taoist members of the Kedah population. The festival is intended to appease
troubled and restless souls that roam the earth in search of retribution against
persons responsible for wrong doings against them during their lives. Joss
sticks are lit and offerings of food are left on street corners in order to
discourage the ghosts from entering abodes.
Hari
Raya Haji: also referred to as Eid al-Adha, this Muslim festival is one
of the most significant in the Islamic calendar. The theme revolves around
sacrifice as Muslims remember the time when Ibrahim was asked by Allah to
sacrifice his son Ishmael. Mosques are filled with worshippers offering
thanksgiving prayers and animals are sacrificed as part of the festival
rites.
November
Deepvali: also referred to as the Festival of Lights,
Deepvali is a Hindu celebration in commemoration of Lord Krishna’s victory over
the demon King Narakasura. The devoted take herbal baths at dawn then put on new
clothes and offer prayer to Krishna. Oil lamps are hung outside houses to
attract the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
December
Christmas:
celebrations are similar to those enjoyed by Christians across the world with a
mix of festive activity and religious service.
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.
The buildings here are also fine and old, with atmosphere of the colonial rule. These include the Balai Besar, Balai Seri Negeri, Masjid Zahir, Courthouse and General Post Office. Also, you could visit the State’s Museum to have an insight into Kedah’s rich cultural heritage. It houses a collection of artifacts, fine paintings and wide range of historical relics. Being the oldest state, it has plenty of memorable and precious antiques on display.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Langkawi is a collection of 99 islands, 30 kms from the east coast of Malaysia. The place was once a best kept secret from the world until it was granted the tax-free status and promoted for tourism to people for all over. The Langkawi is a famous among foreign tourists, especially among European tourists. Soon there was a boom of foreign tourists all across the island and is known to be among every tourists all along the world. Its superb landscape and the beautiful sea beaches along with geographical location have made it accessible to tourists from all over. One can easily travel through boat, bike, car, taxi or a even a bicycle to travel from the Langkawi international airport.
Location and Climate
Langkawi is a very mountainous region of the peninsular Malaysia with a very less wintery monsoon and mostly sunny in the winter times. The place is great for tourists as the beaches are covered by great white sand, lush evergreen forests, and Rocky Mountains that are easily accessible to the people of the world. Langkawi usually offer a local tropical climate all throughout the year with temperatures ranging from almost 23 degree Celsius to 34 degree Celsius. Monsoon times occur usually during the months of April to October. June is also a monsoon period when rainfall is at its highest. UNESCO has declared the Langkawi region and the 99 regions as one of the best Geo parks in the year 2007.
Why and When to Visit Langkawi
Due to its breathtaking natural scenery and landscapes, langkawi has become more famous because of its local touch of cultural heritage. The simply amazing aquamarine contours and its unique geographic location have given the islands an edge over others to become a great tourist destination. The best time to visit Langkawi is from the month of November till March. These are times when the monsoon season is almost over and it is easier to travel during that time. After March, the rainfall begins again in June and continues.
Langkawi – A Great Diving Site
Langkawi is a great diving site and is known to be famous for offering diving al throughout the year to tourists and local residents alike. The best time to dive during the year are from the months of April to June. The diving sites are in excellent condition with water temperatures ranging from 29 degree Celsius. More of cheaper hotels, boats and five star hotels provide the tourists a reason to visit the site during this time of the year.
Beach Resort and Langkawi Festival
The best time to visit the beach resort is during the periods of February to October, mostly a time of monsoon and rain. The Langkawi water festival starts from April 21-22. It is one of the great sources of entertainment during those times of the year.
Enjoy the following on Visit
Langkawi National Sailboat Training Centre offers the Pre SUKMA Sailing, the wilderness challenge at the Tuba Island, program to choose best sailor at Langkawi National Sailboat Training Centre.
