Plans are under way to set up a KELANTAN HERITAGE CORRIDOR.  The Corridor in its physical form will be an area created to contain subjects,  artifacts,  places,  activities and programs embracing the history,  heritage,  culture,  the arts and crafts,  of the State of Kelantan in Peninsular Malaysia.

A source close to the group of enthusiasts planning this project disclosed that the main objective of the Corridor will be to popularize the history,  heritage,  culture,  and the arts and crafts of the State.  It will also be a source of information for those who are doing research on the subjects.   He said,  “It is hoped with the setting up of the Kelantan Heritage Corridor,  society especially members of the younger generation will understand better the profile of the state and the country and as such will be able to use the additional knowledge to  enhance their journey into the future.”

Knowledge of the history,  heritage,  culture and the arts and crafts of a country,  will play a very important role in building  a strong and united society and nation,  the source added.

Malaysia,  especially the state of Kelantan,  is known to be the treasury of heritage,  culture and the arts.   This situation should be exploited to the fullest.   The source said that the materials found in the state could be the ‘draw factor’  especially for the tourists from the international arena.   These could also be used as ‘a promotion gimmick’ to attract more tourists and at the same time investors to the state.

He said that among the objectives of the program are to create an area from where in depth knowledge of the state in respect of its history,  heritage and culture could be obtained,   to help in the maintenance and restoration of some of the historical sites in the state,  to provide facilities for researchers,  and to create a one-stop tourism program.   This program he added will give an opportunity to the locals to market their related products through the Corridor.

The source explained that  the Corridor will be divided into two mini-corridors,  each focusing on specific subjects.

Corridor A  (to be known as the History & Heritage Corridor)  will give special attention and emphasis to the history and heritage.  Here subjects,  places and activities will cover historical events,  historical places,  people in history,  heritage sites  and other related subjects.   Some of the beautiful beaches and waterfalls can be found here.

The districts of Kota Bharu,  Tumpat,  Pasir Puteh,  Bachok,  Jeli,  Gua Musang and Machang will be in this Corridor A.

Corridor B  (to be known as the Arts & Culture Corridor)  will present programs and activities related to the arts and culture.  Cultural activities such as the famous Wayang Kulit (shadow play),  Dikir Barat,  Makyong  and  performances by locals on the Rebana (a kind of drum),  Serunai (the flute),  Kertok (another type of drum),  are among the many cultural attractions in this Corridor.

The arts and crafts will include the making of Batik and Songket cloths,  and the silver craft industry.  In this Corridor too we will be given a glimpse of the life of the people,  especially the fishing community.

The source said that the districts of Kota Bharu,  Pasir Mas,  Bachok,  Machang and Tumpat will be in this Corridor B.

He added that the State of Kelantan is known as the treasury of culture,  the arts and crafts,  historical and heritage sites,  that is,  other than the beautiful beaches and the flora and fauna.

The historical places found here relate to the story and history of Kelantan.  Places like Bukit Marak  (related to the reign of Puteri Saadong),  Pasir Puteh (home of the famous worrior Tok Janggut),  Pantai Sabak  (the first landing of the Japanese troops in Peninsular Malaysia at the outset of the Second World War),  Kota Kubang Labu  (related to the history of the coming of Islam),  and Masjid Kampung Laut  (the oldest mosque in Kelantan - some 300 years old).

He explained that places of interest,  other than those in the hitorical and heritage category,  are found in the beaches of Pantai Sri Tujuh,   Pantai Cahaya Bulan,   Pantai Melawi,   Pantai Irama   and   Pantai Bisikan Bayu,  while other natural beauty of the state is in its many waterfalls and inland lakes such as  Bukit Baka,   Jeram Linang,   Jeram Pasu,  Gunung Stong,   Danau Tok Uban  and  many more.   Of course not forgetting the many caves found in the northern part of the State.

All these,  he stressed,  will be presented in the Kelantan Heritage Corridor.

The source added,  that at the moment a lot of research  is  being carried out to determine and identify the locations and localities of the subjects and activities to be included in the Corridor.    The group feels that with the help and cooperation of the local authorities,  the government Tourism agencies,  the District offices  and  locals,  this program will take off in the very near future.

Another Internet Radio broadcast is now being planned.   The final stages of its preparation is going on ‘without a hitch’.

A source close to the organising group said that the programs planned for the broadcast  will cover various aspects of the Malaysian ways of life.

The initiative for the setting up of the station is based on the understanding that more should be known about the country.   The concept of the programs is to ensure that  listeners would be able to have an in depth look at the various aspects of our life in the country covering  history,  heritage,  culture and the arts.

He added that the broadcast will be guided by the current rules and regulations pertaining to radio broadcasts today.   The ethics of broadcasting that is to inform,  educate and entertain,   will be closely adhered to.   But the percentage of the various categories of programs will be in accordance with the needs of its listeners.    For sure there will be entertainment in the form of popular music,  news and interviews, news analysis  and  special radio features on subjects of interest,  he said.

Initially the programs will be targeted to the Malaysian audience,  he said. ‘ But eventually the contents will take into consideration the requirements of the possible global listeners’

The broadcast is yet to be named,   but plans are underway to finalize the station ID,  the source said.

Asked about the date of launch,  he said that an annoucement will be made soon.

The FACULTY OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND HERITAGE is one of three faculties setup when the University was formed.   One of the objectives of the faculty is the conservation and preservation of the Malaysian heritage as outlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Transforming tangible heritage into something that has significant contemporary value is one of the key aims of the faculty.  In addition to gaining competency in their respective programmes,  all graduates of this faculty will be equipped with entrepreneurial and soft skills.

A brief introduction to the Faculty,   and a glimpse of  what  University Malaysia Kelantan has to offer.

This university,  or popularly known as UMK,  is the 19th University in Malaysia.  It was incorporated in September 2006.

This column is created for members of the younger generation.  Through this column we hope to get views on the various relevant topics affecting them  -  more so in their endevour to further enhance their effort in seeking knowledge.  We would like to hear from them.  We would like them to participate.  We would like to hear of their perspectives on the various subjects confronting them.   We feel this column will help prepare them face the future with more confidence and understanding.

Please submit to us your contributions through this email address:   ramly.tahir26@gmail.com.   Thanking you.

The Editor.

MY PERSPECTIVE of THAILAND

by  AFFIFUDDIN RAMLI   -  Form 4  Student

What is my perspective of the Kingdom of Thailand?   Obviously -  good.   The reasons  …. firstly its beautiful people - the unique culture.   I believe everyone of us knows Thailand.   Its popularity around  the world is beyond question.

Once known as Siam,  the Kingdom has its own history and track records.  It has played quite a  role in the overall development of the region.   Its strategic location was one of the causes for Thailand to be the centre point of international  trade for many centuries.   Merchants from China,  India and the Arab world  made it as their focal point …. a staging platform in their trade venture to other parts of the region.

Thailand is also known as a ‘paradise’ for  tourists.   Its heritage sites,  its culture,  the arts and crafts,  beautiful islands,  white sandy beaches,   vegetable gardens,   agricultural lands  and  its flora and fauna,  are the attractions.

The people of Thailand are very fortunate to belong to this wonderful Kingdom.   Even though a few unfortunate incidents have happened, and has put Thailand in a wrong shade of light,  but  many still feel that the Kingdom can be a role model in other  relevant areas,  and that the country is still a wonderful place to visit.

There are a lot of things that inspires me about the Kingdom of Thailand.   Its culture is something that really attracts me.   Its cultural activities like the Loy Krathong,  the Royal boat festival,   and of course kick boxing are some events I don’t want to miss.    And of course the Thai foods  -  tom yam,   pattaya rice,   paprik rice,   Thai steam fish are some of the dishes that I really enjoy eating.

Food is an imporant ingredient in our daily life.  There is nothing else that can separate  us from the importance of foods.   Like always,  food is usually the number one feature in a unique culture.   Other than its importance to our survival,  food can bring people together.   I have always been impressed by the diversity of the Thai cultural cuisine.  Thai foods blend the five fundamental tastes  -  sweet, sour, spicy,  salty and bitter.   The food differs in each region of the country.  The foods prepared often show the ways of life of the people.

Rice has been the staple food of all Asians for centuries.  Despite the introduction of varieties of delicious foreing cuisine,  the Asians cannot be separated from the food they have had for ages.   Thailand is very fortunate to be blessed with acres of wide and fertile lands  -  suitable for paddy planting  (the basic plants for the production of rice) to be grown.   The type of rice commonly used in Thailand is of the jasmine variety or also known as Hom Mali rice.   Being the biggest exporter of rice,  most Thais use the production of rice as their main source of income.

The other aspect of life that I am very attracted to about the Thais,  is their respect for their monarch.  The monarchy system of Thailand plays a very important role in the life of the people.   They are very loyal to their monarch.  Their loyalty is beyond compare.  They consider the King as a very sacred person.  The King holds many important positions.   He is the monarch,  he is the Head of the Armed Forces,  the Upholder of the Buddhist religion,  and also the Defender of the Faith.   These roles show how important the King is to the Thais.

To be  continued. And our thanks to AFFIFUDDIN RAMLI for starting this column.  The Editor.

A contribution by  BRIDGET MENEZES

Education must aim at developing the multi-faceted personality of the individual in the context of the  social setting.   Only then,  the interests of the individual and society can be served best.

Mahatma Gandhi said:  “Education is the process of training and developing knowledge,  skills,  mind  and character.”

Socrates said:   “Knowledge is power by which things are done.”

Knowledge must be relevant to the situations in life.

Character building should also be one of the aims of education.  We should develop courage,  strength,  and virtues of working towards greater aims.  If we succeed in building the character of the individual,  society will take care of itself.

The teacher’s ultimate concern is to cultivate,   not power of muscle,   nor the fullness of knowledge,   nor refinement of feeling,   but strength of character.

Character building as the aim of education  cannot  stand  alone.   Character is a mental quality.  Man is not mind alone.   He is body as well as mind.   Character includes training and disciplining of the mind and building moral behaviour.

The education system which stresses on academic ability,   has not built character.   When faced with decision-making,   strength is lacking.   Countries cannot do well internationally when good character is missing from its citizens.

Grow in all directions and cultivate the whole being.   Have the desire to be good,  appreciate beauty and cornern for others.  Whatever we say we should implement it practically,   then others hearing it all will experience it and be able to imbibe it.   Otherwise they will listen by one ear and let it off by the other.

Thought for reflection:      Good character is the quality that makes one dependable whether being watched or not.

Contribution by: BRIDGET MENEZES

Every parent hopes that their child will be educated so that he can earn an honourable living. No one can deny the economic needs of man. It is the economic self-sufficiency of a person, which makes him a worthy and contributing citizen.

Education meanwhile prepares students for a meaningful life and a useful career. Culture relates to the practical side of man’s personality - something which provides significance.

Gandhi attached far more importance to the cultural aspect of education than to the literary and said, “Culture is the foundation, the primary thing. It should show itself in the smallest detail of our conduct and personal behaviour. Inner culture must be reflected in our speech, the way in which we behave towards one another and towards our teachers and elders.

One essential and binding feature of human relationship is to be a man of culture. If education produces such a man it has done its job well. A man of culture is an invaluable asset to society.”

If we spend on moral and spiritual education, even half of what we spend on military, weapons, police, jails and the paraphernalia of maintaining law and order, our world would be much better.

Culture is the state of being thoughtful, independent and gracious in victory and defeat. My allegiance to humanitarian ways heartens and inspires others. Like the scent of a rose, my calm spirit imparts a lasting fragrance.

Thought for reflection:

The discipline of the mind is the essence of culture.

Introduction

The study of civilization of a certain place by analyzing past artifacts of previous society is one of the most effective methods since artifacts could last longer than society and culture.  The study of culture of society and material culture always gives a picture about human life that could be related to culture and past history (Richardshon, 1974).  Ku Zam Zam (1989) also stated that a culture is created from human needs.  In this respect,  the creation of textiles’ products are always related to human needs such as body protection and decoration.  During a production of textiles,  the expertise and professionalism were build in the form of philosophical ideas and from that the existence of civilazation of a race.   The creation of arts and materials by past society had shown posses by man prior to this.  It  also could detect the stage of civilization and the mind of society at that time.  Previous society is often associated with the environments since in the effort of understanding the world is foreign and feared had induced them to seek peace with the environments.   It is by organizing transitional activities such as worships (Wan Abdul Rahman, 1996).  This situation had made the Malay civilization to be more linked to the belief of the magic world.

Civilization

The areas encompassing the Malay civilization is defined by linguistic history as areas bordered by the Ausronesia language that basically practiced similar cultures.  In relation to this civilization, Nik Hassan (1995) associated the changes in trhe climatic conditions during the prehistoric period of the Malay world had brought about modification of early human civilization.  The approach used was based on a theory that was proposed by Donn (1970).  The theory changes in sea levels thereby explained as caused the alteration in the world temperatures had created changes occuring during the prehistoric era of Malay Peninsular.

The theory of changes in sea levels during the Pleistocene period that occurred thousands of years ago (Dunn, 1970) had brought changes and splits within an ethnic culture group into a small group.  The changes had brought the Malays  adapt with the environments,  created new Malay society expert in navigational capabilities  also the establishment of a Malay civilization that was concentrated  towards the  coastal areas.  This expertise had created the transfer of ideas and trade relation in the seas around Southeast Asia in particular in the Malay islands.

The   finding of asrtifacts such as stones,  bones  and food wastes of the cave dwellers in the Southeast Asian regions,  including Malaysia,  specifically in the Cha Caves and Madu Caves,  had proven that the Malay Peninsular had gone through the prehistoric Era (Rentse, 1947).  These archeological findings showed the existence of culture disposal during the prehistoric era (cited by Heine in Nik Hassan, 1995).  The Malay World civilization,  specifically the Malay civilization and the Srivijaya Empire which at that time had provided good  port facilities for contacts between the Middle East and China.  The Malays were also expert navigators had enabled themselves to link with external countries in trade matters.  This situation had made the Malay regions as a trading center that becomes the focus by trades from India, Arab and China.

To be continued …

Source:  JURNAL ARKEOLOGI MALAYSIA,  Bil 21 - 2008, produced by Ikatan Ahli Arkeologi Malaysia.

Reported by  TAHIR RAMLY

A seminar on traditional Malay woodcarving was held recently in Kelantan. It was jointly organized by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia) and Institut Alam & Tamadun Melayu Malaysia - ATMA (Institute of the Malay World & Civilisation), with the cooperation of Kandis Resource Centre. 18 papers were presented for discussion during the 3 day seminar.

The papers cover a wide range of subjects, from the profile of a master carver Nik Rashidin Nik Hussein, known for his life long work and struggle to place the art of woodcarving to be among some of the professional activities in the field, his collections, his ideals and philosophy, and his mission.

We have here abstracts of some of the papers presented.

THE COLLECTIONS OF NIK RASHIDIN NIK HUSSEIN - A CURATORIAL PERSPECTIVE presented by DAVID HENKEL, Curator for Malay World and Island Southeast Asia at the Asian Civilisation Museum in Singapore.

Nik Rashidin Nik Hussein collected his first ‘artefact’ while he was still in his teens. Over the course of the next 30-odd years his collection grew to incorporate a large group of often disparate items; extremely refined items from royal courts as well as folk works, mundane, everyday items along with the rarest of rarities. Items were obtained through various sources and at various times, some of which became core collection pieces while others ultimately passed out of the collection. The purpose of this paper is to explore why Nik Rashidin collected the items which he did; his notions of what constituted a collectible item, his understanding of their meaning and his uses of and intentions for the collection. The paper is thus an exploration of his curatorial vision. The paper will conclude by considering future directions for the curation and maintenance of the collection and some strategies for maximizing its potential as a resource for future scholars.

PLACEMENT OF CARVED COMPONENTS IN TRADITIONAL TIMBER HOUSES OF KELANTAN AND TRENGGANU, presented by ZUMAHIRAN BINTI KAMARUDDIN, a lecturer attached to the Department of Arts and Design, International Islamic University Malaysia.

Woodcarving is considered as an integral component to the vernacular Malay houses in Kelantan and Terangganu, which are located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Carved components with various features were fabricated according to its placement and configuration in the interior as well as exterior setting of the houses. This paper presents an analytical study of the visual forms and placement of carved components in the timber houses of Kelantan and Trengganu which reflects its significant attributes and uses. An analytical study on ten houses in Kelantan and five houses in Terengganu was conducted by visual descriptive and interpretative analyses on 15 sets of reports and carving measured drawings of the houses which were obtained from the Centre for the Study of Built Environment in the Malay World at the Department of Architecture in the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The method of analysis was triangulated and validated with interpretations from the prominent woodcarvers on art and crafts of woodcarving, and supported by literatures of Malay woodcarving. The analysis revealed that se veral types of carved components with distinctive features including wall, door and window ventilation panels, roof and gate panels, railings and stringers were fitted in harmonious relationship with the architectural components within the house fabrics. The placement of these components with specific carving motif, shape, sizes and layout in the houses reflects certain orders and regional identity of the Kelantan and Terengganu traditional houses.

Keywords: Woodcarving, traditional timber house, architectural elemtns, visual forms and carving motifs.

PALACE AND PONDOK: ARTISTIC PATRONAGE ON THE EAST COAST OF THE MALAY PENINSULA, presented by ANNABEL TEH GALLOP. She joined the British Library, UK, in 1986 as Curator for Indonesian and Malay, and is a present the Head of the South, East and Southeast Asia Section.

The finest illuminated Qur’an manuscripts in the whole of Islamic Southeast Asia were produced in the states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Patani on the east coast of the Malay peninsula. East Coast Qur’ans appear to have been exported all over the archipelago, and have been found in collections as far as Palembang, Ambon in Maluku and Bima on the island of Sumbawa. But the noble art form of illumination had died out completely by the middle of the last century, along with information about its patrons and practitioners, their specialized vocabulary, sources of inspiration and the tools of their trade. This paper will explore how thriving Malay art forms such as woodcarving may be able to shed lights on the lost art of manuscript illumination.

KEEPING MALAY WOODCARVING TRADITION ALIVE - THE MISSION OF THE NIK RASHIDIN ACADEMY, presented by DATIN WAVENEY JENKINS. She was one of he initial members of the Heritage of Malaysia Trust when it was formed in 1983. Now living for the most of the year in UK, she is still deeply involved with the Kandis Resource Centre, and she proposed new non profit company, Akademi Nik Rashidin.

The late Nik Rashidin Nik Hussein was one of Malaysia’s finest craftsmen. Equally adept at creating keris hilts, or designing monumental works, he was also a scholar who spent his life researching deeply into the evolution of the techniques and motifs of his art. He stressed the vital importance of recording and passing this knowledge onwards. To bring this aim to fruition we created Kandis Resource Centre in 2000, and have since produced a book, sent an exhibition around the world and are now in the process of setting up an academy to ensure that all may discover the wealth of knowledge that he uncovered. His collection of artifacts is now laid out in both our new building, and in the historic old traditional houses, museum exhibits in themselves, and are able to act as textbooks as he wishes. Norhaiza Noordin, Puan Rosnawati and Nik Rashidin’s brother Nik Rashidee, have now evolved a varied spectrum of courses to enable students, scholars, researchers from overseas and this country, school children and those of the general public with a more than a passing interest, to learn about the woodcarving, the motifs and indeed about the very core of Malaysian Heritage.

A note from the Webmaster.

The Webmaster will update this site with contents of the many papers presented at the Seminar on Traditional Malay Woodcarving: The Legacy of Nik Rashidin Nik Hussein, once the administrative technicalities are sorted out with the Organizers and writers of the papers.

Primarily agricultural, Kedah offers a pleasing rural landscape which can take on different hues depending on the seasons of padi. The countryside is greenest when the newly planted padi is sprouting, turns a golden yellow at harvest time and turns into a brown earthy hue after the harvest.

It appears that much may be hidden under the rolling plains of rice, for Kedah was once the cradle of an ancient civilization, the threads of which are just beginning to emerge from slow excavation of various historical sites found in the state.

Alor Star is the capital of Kedah and the seat of government and royalty. It is also the main commercial centre of the state. Langkawi, the most well-known island on the peninsula, falls under Kedah’s jurisdiction. Other districts include Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Kota Star, Sik, Yan, Kuala Muda, Baling, Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Pendang.

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Predominantly agricultural, Perlis has a serene unspoilt beauty. Its picturesque low-lying padi fields stretch for miles broken only by occasional limestone outcrops. Perlis enjoys a dry season from January to April while the months of September through to December are wet months.

Main towns in the state include Kangar, Arau, Kuala Perlis and Padang Besar. Kuala Perlis is an important ferry terminal for visitors heading for the famed island of Langkawi while Padang Besar is one of the major entry points for visitors from Thailand traveling by road or rail into Peninsular Malaysia.

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