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.
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.
Homestay in Kedah
One of the best ways to experience the local’s culture and heritage is through homestay. Homestay programmes provide an opportunity to visitors to experience the warm hospitality and traditional lifestyle of the locals at the rustic kampung or known as villages. These villages adhere to the strict rules imposed by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and the National Homestay Association. So, rest assured that everything is well planned and taken care of during your stay here.
Below are two of the homestay destinations that you could opt for if you prefer to live the way the locals do.
Kampung Relau Homestay
If you prefer a rustic, laid-back country living, Kampung Relau is the place for you. The small traditional Malay rural township is located away in the Bandar Baharu district Southern Kedah. The adopted family here will demonstrate how the stress-free way of life is still being preserved until today. You could also learn how to cook delish traditional Malay dishes and join in some of their country folk pastimes.
Kampung Raga Homestay
At Kampung Raga Homestay, you could take a dip at the Batu Hampar or Titi Hayun Waterfalls located at the foothills of Gunung Jerai. Else, you could also opt to trek up the Gunung Jerai all the way from Yan. This four-hour trek takes climbers past shady canopies, medicinal herbs and exotic plants to Tangga Kenari 1000 Tahun which is the gateway to Gunung Jerai from Yan.
Place of Interest in Kedah
While in Kedah, do 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.
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.
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.
Dayang Bunting Lake
This lake has its own legend. It is said 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.
Food in Kedah
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.
Getting Here
Getting to Kedah is fairly easy. The state offers an international airport at Langkawi and a domestic airport at Alor Setar. You could also travel from Langkawi to the mainland and vice versa through its boats services. While on land, you could travel here through buses, private cars or trains. Land options are also speedy and convenient.
Transportations to several small towns can be problematic. Hence, it’s advisable to rent a car to travel around. However, majority of the places are accessible by buses or trains. Else, you could hire a taxi drive to drive you around and engage on his guide around the state.
Although Malaysia does not experience the four seasons, it is humid and sunny all year round. The best months to visit Kedah are from January to April as the beaches of Langkawi are at their busiest. But, any other time of the year are also suitable to explore the mainland.