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Kelantan
is positioned in the north-east of Peninsular
Malaysia. It is bordered by Narathiwat
Province of Thailand to
the north, Terengganu to the south-east, Perak to
the west, and Pahang to
the south. To the north-east of Kelantan is the South China Sea.
Kelantan is located in the north-eastern
corner of the peninsula, Kelantan, which is said to translate as the "Land
of Lightning" (see alternate theories below), is an agrarian state with lush paddy fields, rustic
fishing villages andcasuarina-lined
beaches. Kelantan is home to some of the most ancient archaeological
discoveries in Malaysia, including several prehistoric aboriginal settlements.
Due to Kelantan's relative isolation and
largely rural lifestyle, Kelantanese culture differs somewhat from Malay
culture in the rest of the peninsula; this is reflected in the cuisine, arts,
and the peculiar Kelantanese Malay dialect, which is unintelligible even
for some speakers of standard Malay.
Culture
Kelantan is known as the cradle of Malay culture based on the diverse
cultural activities practised by Kelantanese.[6] Among
the popular cultural practices are Dikir Barat, Wayang Kulit
Kelantan, Wayang Kulit Melayu, Mak Yong, Menora, Main Puteri, Wau Bulan (kite-flying), Gasing (top-spinning), Silat, bird-singing
competition and handicrafts.
Among the handicraft products that are songket, batik, silverware and
mengkuang. The Kandis
Recource Centre provides information on the Kelantanese wood
carving.
Tourism
Among the popular tourist destinations in Kelantan
are:
·
Siti Khadijah Market – Named after Prophet Muhammad's entrepreneurial wife,
it's a fitting name for a market mostly run by women
·
Gunung Stong State Park – Home to one of the highest waterfalls in
Malaysia, the seven-tiered Jelawang Waterfal
·
Pantai Bisikan Bayu (Beach of Whispering Breeze) – also known as Pantai
Dalam Rhu, the gentle breeze at the beach produces a hushed sound that, locals
say, sounds like a soothing whisper
·
Handicraft Village and Craft Museum – Also known as "Balai Getam
Guri", it houses many fine examples of Kelantanese craftsmanship such as
traditional embroidery, songket weaving, batik printing, silver work and wood
carving
The Kelantanese cuisine, heavily
influenced by Thai cuisine, is quite popular among Malaysians. In fact, many visitors come to Kelantan just to
taste the special delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere. The use of sugar
is a must in every Kelantanese kitchen, and thus most Kelantanese dishes are
sweet.
Kelantanese food makes more use
of coconut milk than
anywhere else in the country. Curries are richer, creamier, and more
influenced by the tastes of nearby Thailand.
Apart from consumable items
imported from Thailand, there are dishes which have developed through the rich
culture of the Kelantanese themselves, such as:
Specialty
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Description
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This is a mix of white rice and brown glutinous rice which is
cooked with coconut milk, blended onions, garlic and some spices (such
as fenugreek)(halba).
Fish or chicken curry is usually a complementary dish, together with a mild
brown sugared sambal (chili paste).
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Nasi Kerabu literally means "rice salad". Kelantan has
a variety of nasi kerabu. Nasi kerabu biasa ("normal"), putih ("white"), hitam ("black"),
though the actual color is blue after the flower used as colouring in the
recipe and kuning ("yellow"), for the
turmeric used in the cooking process. Each kerabu is usually served with a matching,
traditional sambal. The kerabu (salad)
itself can be any combination of vegetables or edible leaves. It is also
served with fried breaded fish, keropok keping, (see below), salted
egg, solok lada (chillies
stuffed with minced fish and grated coconut), and pickled garlic.
Importantly, a sauce called budu must be included for the dish to
qualify.
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Nasi tumpang
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Rice packed in a cone-shaped banana leaf. A pack of nasi tumpang consists
of an omelette, meat floss,
chicken and/or shrimp curry and
sweet gravy. It is traditionally meant for travellers.
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Ayam percik
|
Wood-fire broiled chicken dressed with sweet coconut gravy. Ayam golek/ayam percik is
eaten with white rice in major family dishes and is served during feasts.
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Nasi berlauk
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A popular breakfast food for the Kelantanese. Nasi berlauk is
rice served with fish or chicken and vegetables cooked with turmeric and
galangal infused yellow gravy.
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Ulam is the local term for raw vegetables - the meal consists of
white rice served with a variety of raw vegetables, and is one of the
healthier dishes found in Malay cuisine.
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These are Kelantanese crackers and can be made from fish, prawns
or squid. The way they are made is similar to keropok gote, but after they are steamed or boiled and thinly
sliced and dried for storage or further cooking.
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Keropok lekor
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These are Kelantanese fish sausages. Made by combining fish
flesh and sago or tapioca flour, keropok lekor is rolled into long firm sticks and
then steamed or boiled. To enjoy it, one has to cut it into desired bite
sized and deep fried. It is a popular schoolchildren's snack food.
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Laksa Kelantan
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The laksa dish, white noodles served with
gravy (curry or otherwise) and vegetables, is made differently in every state
in Malaysia. The laksa in Kelantan is richer and has a more full-bodied
flavour. The main ingredient is fish flesh. Laksam is another version, with a thicker
noodle (similar to kuey teow). Laksa or laksam is served with ulam similar to
that in nasi kerabu, with a pinch of salt and belacan, a fermented shrimp paste.
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