UNITY AS MALAYSIAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN
SPECIAL FOOD IN NEGERI SEMBILAN
MASAK LEMAK CILI API
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This food's aroma is enticing enough to attract the interest of anyone who smells it. This meal is frequently served with shrimp, fresh fish, or chicken as a side dish. The most important feature is its obscurity, which is the secret to this menu's success. If it's not spicy, it's not the original Negeri Sembilan masak lemak cili api recipe
KUIH SOPANG
The original name is Sepang Cake, however, if it is a typical Negeri Sembilan dish, its name is Kuih Sopang, derived from the Negeri Sembilan dialect. This traditional cake is packed with a core made of young grated coconut and made with glutinous rice flour, banana, and Melaka sugar. Just by looking at the ingredients, you can tell that this cake is delicious and addictive
tarian piring
Tarian piring is a traditional dance that originated in Minangkabau, traditionally it can be mentioned that the tarian piring comes from Solok, West SumatraIt comes from the words 'tari' and 'piring,' which indicate dance and little plate, respectively
inang
Mak Inang is a Southeast Asian dance form that is commonly referred to as "Si Kembang Cina." This "traditional" dance is thought to have originated in Malaysia and is associated with the Malay people. This dance employs exceptionally beautiful foot motions in terms of technique
joget
The history of Joget dance can be traced back to the Branjo and Farapeira, two well-known Portuguese folk dances. This sort of dance is performed by people of all ages, including teenagers, youth, and others. The musical instruments used by Joget are a violin, a gong with a knob, a flute, and two rebanas
dikir rebana
Rebana was the main musical instrument in the performance of Dikir Barat. Rebana is a hit musical instrument in the performance of Dikir Barat tambourine to play a role in creating the rhythm of the song that is emboldened. The tambourine depends on the size, thickness of the frame, the type of bark and wood and the manner of the hand hammer.
TRADITIONAL CLOTH
KEBAYA SETENGAH TIANG AND KELEPOK
Once upon a time, the Half Tiang Kebaya shirt was used by women at home and went to the wedding ceremony. The women also styled a half-mast kebaya shirt while working on the paddy fields. Usually, this shirt is matched with the use of batik sheath fabric and in the early 50s, it was very popular and was often styled in the crowd. A significant difference in the use of shirts for official and informal occasions is the choice of the fabric material used. In activities the fields or to the fields usually use a flowering cotton cloth
CULTURAL PLACE
SERI MENANTI
Seri Menanti is nestled in a valley surrounded by lush greenery. Farmers make up the majority of the population. It is the state capital of Negeri Sembilan and is home to the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan's seat.
According to oral tradition, while exploring the area, the Minangkabau people came across three clusters of green padi trees as if the padi trees had been waiting for them to arrive. The location was appropriately named "Padi Menanti," which means "Padi Tree in Waiting" in English. The name was soon changed to "Seri Menanti." It's thought that the word "Seri" comes from an ancient Javanese word that means "Padi."
CAPE RACHADO
Tanjung Tuan, popularly known as Cape Rachado, is an 80-hectare natural reserve 18 kilometres south of Port Dickson. This steep cape is a protected nature sanctuary with a historic lighthouse on top, beautiful harbours, and a spectacular view of PD's coastline from Bukit Batu Putih.
Blue Lagoon and Pantai Cermin, both located exactly opposite each other before the entry, are two popular tourist seaside locations at the base of Cape Rachado. Visitors can travel through jungle and descend down hilly slopes to reach isolated beaches, each with its own natural character and pristine beauty, and are protected from development.
Johor Bahru is the southernmost city in Malaysia. It is the largest cities in the country with more than 2.7 million inhabitants. Johor is connected by two bridges with neighbouring country of Singapore. The population growth rate of Johor Bahru is among the highest in Southeast Asia.
The city can be considered as a melting pot of different cultures with Indians, Chinese and Malays comprising a large percentage of its population. Different dialect groups of the Chinese are present in Johor Bahru which includes Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese, Cantonese and more. The Indian community primarily consists of Malayalees, Tamils, Punjabis and Telegus. Another races like Orang Jawa, Orang Banjar, Orang Bugis and Orang Boyan.
SPECIAL FOOD IN JOHOR
LAKSA JOHOR
Laksa Johor is a combination of eastern and western cuisines. Spaghetti is drowned in classic Malay style laksa kuah in this recipe (broth). Ground fish paste, herbs, chilies, spices, and a variety of fresh vegetables are also used for the soup.
KACANG POOL
-Kacang pool is a Johor variant of chilli con carne, consisting of a foul (broad) bean and minced beef stew served with toasted bread chunks. With freshly squeezed lime, this stew is topped with a sunny-side-up egg, chopped fresh onions, and fresh green chilies
Traditional cloth
Baju Kurung Teluk Belanga
Johor’s rich Malay culture and heritage is epitomised by Busana Johor or Johor traditional costumes in the baju kurung Teluk Belanga which is regarded as the state’s traditional attire since the 19th Century. When Temenggong Abu Bakar Sri Maharaja succeeded the throne, His Royal Highness was residing in Teluk Belanga, Singapore and during his reign, the popularity of this style of dressing flourished
Traditional cloth
Long kebaya
Although Johor famous women clothes, but in the event, they appear also to wear a kebaya, a legacy of the Johor-Riau Kingdom. Long sides of the shirt pattern would still be 'isolate' body parts. Traditionally cuts up to ankle length. Only difference it split and berpesak in front of this shirt, usually worn as outdoors or formal ceremonies. Long sides of the shirt is famous in Malacca, Perak, Selangor and Kedah-Perlis
Tarian Kuda Kepang
- Tarian Kuda Kepang is very popular among the people of Johor, especially those of Javanese descent. Kuda Kepang is a woven statue shaped like a horse without legs. It is made of woven bamboo or animal skins that are pattern to be more attractive. Usually this Tarian Kuda Kepang have 10 to 15 dancers in one group.
Tarian Zapin
One of the forms of social dance that the Malay community is still intact and popular. There are two types of Tarian Zapin at Johor, which are Zapin Melayu and Zapin Arab. In fact, both of this dance is from an art of the Arab society brought by Hadramaut. In Johor, Zapin dance has been accepted as an Islamic art that serves as entertainment either at secular events or celebrations of great days.
Tarian Barongan
Barongan describes the stories of the time of Nabi Sulaiman that can talk to animal. Supposedly, a tiger has seen a peacock that is expanding its tail. When the tiger was seen, the peacock jumped on the tiger’s head and the two continued to dance. Suddenly, a Pamong (escort) named Garong who accompanied Puteri Raja who was riding a horse passed by in the area. Pamong then got down from his horse and danced with the animal
Tarian Ceracap Inai
This dance is famous at Kampung Baru Lenga, Batu 28, Lenga in Daerah Muar. It is believed that the Ceracap Inai Dance originated from the palace dance and was danced in front of the Sultan and state dignitaries in a crowd. This dance is about happiness and well-being by bringing a prop like gold flower and candle. The numbers of dancers in this dance is from 5-8 people.
CULTURAL PLACE
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
Overlooking the Straits of Johor and the neighbouring Singapore, the magnificent Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is one of the most beautiful old mosques in Malaysia. Boasting of Victorian Architecture, the mosque was constructed between the years 1892 and 1900. Commissioned by the ‘Father of Modern Johor’, the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the mosque can accommodate 2,000 worshippers at any given time.
CULTURAL PLACE
Johor Baru Old Chinese Temple
Located downtown, the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple is a quaint place of worship. Although there are no records to confirm when exactly the temple was built, an old plaque on the temple wall states that the temple was functional even in the year 1870. There are 3 prayer halls in the temple, all beautifully designed.A major attraction within the temple is the huge bronze bell. You will also find a small museum in the temple premises. On display are idols of various gods, photos of the temple and many temple antiques
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
SELANGOR TRADITIONAL FOOD
Being the gateway and the centre of Malaysia, Selangor has an impossible number of food choices from around all the 14 states of the country. Often being overlooked is Selangor’s own gastronomical delights that have been carried down from centuries and its tradition still remains as is. Due to Selangor’s history of former migration back in the early years, some of its settlers were people from different background and country that have resulted Selangor to become culturally diverse. Hence, making the food rich in flavours!
PECAL
Pecal is a common appetiser that can be found just about anywhere in Selangor. Known to be a traditional Javanese salad that merely consists of vegetables topped with a mouth-watering peanut sauce that can also be served with Ketupator Lontong. The preparation in making Pecalis extremely simple so you can easily try it at home at any time! The key ingredients to prepare this dish are peanuts or groundnuts for the gravy or which we call ‘kuah’, tofu, bean sprout, long beans and cucumber
NASI AMBENG
Nasi Ambeng is usually served in a form of a platter which can be shared with four to five people per serving. It consists of a variety of food choices that will just blow your mind. When it comes to preparing this Javanese-Malay dish, you should not miss out on its side dishes which are chicken, fried noodles, long beans, sambal tempeaccompanied by white rice that is served in banana leaf! In Selangor, Nasi Ambeng is normally served at festivals or large gatherings or locally known as ‘Kenduri’.
SAMBAL TAUN
Known as Sambal Taun or Sambal Tahun, this unique dish is famous among Selangorians. It originates from the Javanese early settlers and has become a traditional food of Selangor ever since. This dish is said to be spicy because of the amount of chili used in its preparation. Hence, the name sambal. Here in Selangor, the protein is taken from cow skin but it is commonly switch to either clams, cow lungs or even anchovies, according to one’s preference. Other ingredients needed to complete this one of a kind main dish are red onions, garlic, shrimp paste, coconut milk, oil, tamarind paste, a pinch of salt and sugar. In the past, it is believed that this dish was served during Eid celebration!
WADAI KIPENG
In the tongue of the Banjar people, ‘Wadai’ predominantly means‘Kuih’, while ‘Kipeng’ is refers to pieces. Back in the day, it has been traditionally practiced by the Banjar community to plate up Wadai Kipengon their Thanksgiving ceremony! It goes without saying, to prepare this porridge-like dessert, the must-have ingredients are glutinous rice flour, coconut, palm sugar, granulated sugar and some pandan leaves! This is a perfect sweet ending to your meal.
CULTURAL PLACE
The caves were little-known except to local residents until 1878, when the American naturalist William Temple Hornaday revealed their existence to the wider world. K. Thamboosamy Pillay, a leader of the Tamil Hindu community in Malaya (as the region was then called), built a temple within the caves in 1891. It is said that he took inspiration from the similarity in shape of the cave entrance to the tip of the vel, or spear, traditionally wielded by the deity Murugan. Thaipusam, the Tamil Hindu festival devoted to Murugan, was first celebrated on the site in 1892 and is now a major event that attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually. The Batu Caves are located within a high limestone outcropping. A colossal gold-painted statue of Murugan, made from reinforced concrete and 140 feet (42.7 metres) in height, stands near the base of a flight of 272 steps. As visitors climb the steps, they are frequently accosted by macaques begging aggressively for food. At the top of the steps is the entrance to the largest cave, called Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave. Within it is the largest of several temples on the site. At a lower level on the flight of steps is Dark Cave, which is sometimes closed to visitors. Other caves lie still closer to the base of the steps. Ramayana Cave has an entrance marked with a statue of the monkey god Hanuman, hero of the Indian epic poem Ramayana. The cave itself is lined with dioramas depicting scenes from the epic. The Cave Villa, which includes Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, features more paintings and statues.
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TRADITIONAL CLOTH
The traditional garments of the royal Bugis have to a vast extent influenced the traditional Selangor couture. The Bugis sarong is a must when worn with the ‘baju Kebaya Labuh’ for women, while the men are resplendent in their ‘baju Sikap’, a five-piece suit consisting of the ‘tengkolok’, shirt, pants, cummerbund, and ‘kain samping’ a fabric with gold thread weaves in stripes and palmettes and traditionally worn by affluent Bugis families. The development of Selangor as a commercial centre had brought, in its wake, many ethnic people to its shores such as Rawa, Mendeling, Batu Bara, Java, Ban, Banjar and Minangkabau. Along with this influx, came a flood of diverse cultures, traditions and customs.