100 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Royal Regalias The repertoire of ceremonial accessories and the throne, known collectively as the royal regalias, bear great historical and religious significance. They refbet immediately the heritage of the state and ancestor.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 101 Payung Ubur-Ubur (Royal Umbrella) This 12-foot royal umbrella is made of fabric in royal yellow. The Kedah state emblem, made of silver, is mounted on the top of the royal umbrella.
102 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Cogan Agama (Sceptre Of Religion) Cogan Alam is a 162.66 cm long silver shaft with a large head. On the tip of the head, the word ‘Allah’ is engraved in gold. Verses of the Quran and some holy words are also engraved on the head of the sceptre.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 103 Cogan Alam (Sceptre Of Universe) This extraordinary instrument is made of silver and is 162.66cm long. The head is shaped like a ball to signify the universe and is embossed with the symbols of each region of Kedah. The lower part of the ball is carved with some ears of rice, the symbol of the state of Jelapang Padi, and Ampangan Muda, which irrigates rice fields in Kedah. The screptre is also decorated with carvings of Siamese telepuk leaves and Langkawi orchids as well as some holy verses from the Quran.
104 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Cokmar (Royal Maces) The mace is a symbol of royal power. It is made of silver and is 81.32cm long. It consists of two sticks with a dome-shaped head, embossed with closed Bunga Tanjung petals.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 105 Lance, Spears and Swords These three types of Malay weapons are also part of the royal regalia. Each type of weapon has twelve pieces. Lance
106 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Spears
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 107 Swords
108 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Royal Nobat The nobat has been the royal orchestra for installation ceremonies in Malays states since ancient time and the Kedah Nobat is believes to be the oldest in country. There six musical instruments namely the gendang (drum), nafiri (clarinet), two gendang nobat, a flute (serunai) and a gong. There is also a conductor’s baton called Mahaguru. The orchestra performs only at the command of Sultan, and in royal ceremonies such as installation and weddings. Appointments to the orchestra are inherited.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 109
110 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Gendang Ibu and Gendang Anak (Drums) The drums are made of good and durable wood. The surface of the drum is made of tiger skin and goat skin. One of the drums (gendang ibu) is beaten with a ‘kemuning’ stick
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 111 Gendang Anak
112 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Nahara Nahara is made of wood that emits a melodious sound and uses deer skin. Nahara is beaten using a small rattan that is about a foot long.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 113 Flute (Serunai) The flute is made from the stems of the chili tree. It has seven holes on the upper surface of the stem and one hole on the lower surface. According to nobat players, the trunk of the chili tree can muffle the sound of the flute
114 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Nafiri Nafiri is made of pure silver and measures approximately 83.8cm
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 115 Gong The gong is made of red copper and measures 45.8 cm. it is hung on a special place called “cagak”
116 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Mahaguru / Semambu It is made of rattan ‘semambu’ and its measurement is 180.3 cm.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 117 ROYAL ATTIRE
118 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 119
120 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Baju Sikap (Formal Attire of HRH Tuanku Sultan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman) The cut of Baju Sikap or Muscati style dress is believed to originate from Oman, and Kedah is no exception in accepting its influence. A portrait of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II (1804-1845) clearly shows his majesty adorning baju sikap, which proves that this traditional attire has been worn in this state for a long time. During the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (1882-1943), the wearing of baju sikap continued and was further made the official attire of Kedah state government officials. Baju sikap has become a traditional dress that continues to this day, but the dress of His Royal Highness Tuanku Sultan is specially sewn to befit a ruler.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 121 Tengkolok Seri Mahkota (Special Royal Headgear) Tengkolok Seri Mahkota was specifically made for His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah from the tengkolok once worn by his father, Almarhum Sultan Badlishah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. The style of the tengkolok is inspired by Gunung Jerai, which symbolises the core or pillar of the state of Kedah.
122 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Aigrette The ornament worn in the middle of the headdress is made of gemstones. The aigrette worn by His Royal Highness Tuanku Sultan resembles the aigrette of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 123 Pending (Royal Buckle) ‘Pending’ is the head of the belt, used to fasten and secure the sides of the royal attire together. It is an oval-shaped royal buckle encrusted with diamonds with an engraved centrepiece featuring the Kedah coat of arms. Emerald stones are used to form the wreath of rice on the coat of arms for offial ceremony.
124 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Keris Perkasa Alam (State Kris) Keris Perkasa Alam is an heirloom belonging to Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. It is one of the instruments of greatness during the royal coronation ceremony. This long lokless keris also symbolises the greatness and power of the ruler.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 125 Keris Pendek DiRaja (Royal Short Kris) Keris Pendek is worn by His Royal Highness Tuanku Sultan, and its usage must be made according to the rules and approved by him.
126 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Songket Diraja (Formal Attire of HRH Tuanku Sultanah Kedah Darul Aman) The official dress of Her Royal Highness Tuanku Sultanah Kedah is inspired by the traditional dress, known as baju kebaya. Her Royal Highness adorns a modern kebaya outfit complete with a tiara, necklace, earrings, bracelet, and brooches. This ‘Seri Negeri’ set is made of diamonds bound with white gold.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 127 Tiara Ring Royal Necklace Royal Bracelets Earrings Brooch
128 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 129 COLLECTION OF SULTANATE INSTALLATION
130 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Warkah Kalam Suci (Letter of Appointment) A silver folder to place the “Warkah Kalam Suci” (Holy Scriptures) read by the Kedah State Mufti.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 131 Silver folder to place the “Surat Perisytiharan Pertabalan”, which is Letter of Declaration of the Proclamation of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah Darul Aman. Surat Pengisytiharan Pertabalan (Letter of Procalamation)
132 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Keris Perkasa Alam (State Kris) Keris Perkasa Alam is an heirloom kris belonging to Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. It is one of the instruments of greatness during the royal proclamation ceremony. This long kris is also a symbol of the greatness and power of the ruler.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 133 Surat Sumpah DiRaja (Royal Oath) Gold folder to place the “Surat Sumpah Diraja”, which is The Royal Oath read during the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah Darul Aman.
134 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Kitab Suci Al-Quran (Holy Qur’an) The holy book Al-Quran which was kissed by His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah at the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness as Sultan of Kedah in 2018 at Istana Anak Bukit.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 135 Kendi Emas (Golden Pot) This Golden Jug which has been passed down from generation to generation is also a Royal Equipment during the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah as the 29th Sultan of Kedah.
136 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Benian (A chest containing valuable items that symbolise the power and wealth of the Kedah Ruler) ‘Benian’ is type of chest used to store valuable and became one of the Royal Greatness Equipment during the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah as the 29th Sultan of Kedah. This gold chest became a symbol of the power and wealth of the Sultan of Kedah Darul Aman.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 137 Puan Sireh Emas (A metal container for storing betel leaves) “Puan Sirih Emas” is a traditional Malay metal container for storing betel leaves and often used in many ceremonies. However, this “Puan Sirih Emas” is made of gold as a sign of the king’s authority because it is one of Royal Equipment that is often used in royal customs.
138 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Tengkolok Emas (Golden Headgear) The “Tengkolok Emas” or Royal Headdress is made satin fabric that is royal yellow and inlaid with gold and diamonds. The five folds on the royal destar resembles an “igal”, which is a type of tie used by Arab men to prevent the head covering from falling.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 139 INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE 29TH SULTAN OF KEDAH
140 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE 29TH SULTAN OF KEDAH The installation ceremony of the 29th Sultan of Kedah Darul Aman took place full of the customs of the Sultanate of Kedah on 22nd October 2018 at Balairung Seri, Istana Anak Bukit, Alor Setar. The last time the state of Kedah witnessed the installation of the Sultan of Kedah was in 1959 where the Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah was crowned as the 28th Sultan of Kedah. The newly installed Sultan of Kedah used the title His Royal Highness Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah as soon as he was enthroned at the age of 76. Also present to witness the glorious ceremony were the guests of honour consisting of His Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam, His Highness the Regent of Pahang, the Head of States, His Highness the Raja Muda of Kedah, Representatives of the Malay Kings and state officials.
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 141 THE INSTALLATION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE SULTAN OF KEDAH ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION OF KEDAH DARUL AMAN EXCERPTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF KEDAH According to Article 17 of the Constitution of Kedah Darul Aman, the Ruler must be one of the Malay race and a royal bloodline of the lineage of the Kedah Rulers and male and of the Muslim religion Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah (Sunni) sect. Article 7 (a) of the Constitution stipulates that the Throne and Government of the State of Kedah Darul Aman shall be handed down from generation to generation to the eldest son of the late Sultan Badlishah and then shall later be passed down to the oldest male offspring of the male descendant who are alive at that time. Article 9 of the Constitution of Kedah Darul Aman stipulates that the appointment to ascend the throne of Kedah Darul Aman is determined by the Royal Council of Ascension. According to Article 10 of the Constitution of Kedah Darul Aman, the Royal Council of Ascension shall comprise: i) The Menteri Besar who is the Chairman of the Council. ii) Other members of the State Executive Council iii) Four male members from the Kedah Royal families appointed by the Ruler according to his discretion with credentials and signed and stamped with the Government seal and stated in the Government Gazette, and iv) Five male members who are not related to the Kedah Royal families and at least one of them is the Chairman of the Islamic Religious Council of Kedah and at least one other person who is sufficiently knowledgeable in Islamic Law to be appointed by the Ruler according to his discretion with authority and signed and stamped with the Royal Seal and published in the Government Gazette.
142 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 143 PROCLAMATION A Piece of history was recorded on 12 September 2017, when Tunku Sallehuddin was proclaimed as the 29th Sultan of Kedah in place of His Highness Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah who died the day before. The declaration was made in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution of the State of Kedah after the death of his brother, the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at Istana Anak Bukit on 11 September 2017. The declaration of the new Sultan of Kedah was announced by the Menteri Besar of Kedah at Balairung Seri (The Throne Hall), Istana Anak Bukit. After the death of the Sultan of Kedah, the selection of the new ruling king is determined through the Kedah Royal Council of Ascension. Article 9 of the Constitution of Kedah stipulates that the appointment to ascend the throne of the State of Kedah shall be determined by the Royal Council of Ascension, which also includes the Menteri Besar as the Chairman of the Council. After the proclamation, Dato’ Bijaya Indera Dato’ Paduka Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah then approached Tunku Sallehuddin to accompany him to Singgahsana (the Throne) which is located in Balairung Seri. Dato’ Paduka Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah then chanted “Daulat Tuanku” (His Royal Highness is Sovereign) three times, each time being repeated by those attending. At the same time the beat of Nobat (royal orchestra) and the sound of nafiri (a type of clarinet) reverberated in the background. The ceremony continued with supplications by the Kedah Mufti, Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Paduka Syeikh Fadzil Awang. Tunku Sallehuddin then touched the coffin of the late Sultan Abdul Halim, indicating that the funeral ceremony would begin. Tunku Sallehuddin was declared as the Chairman of the Jemaah Pemangku Sultan Kedah (Kedah Council of Regency), replacing Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah who passed away on 21st May 2014 and held that position until 12th December 2016. On 15th December 2016 Tunku Sallehuddin was announced as the Raja Muda of Kedah after Sultan Abdul Halim returned to patronise the state of Kedah after five years residing in Istana Negara (National Palace) as Yang diPertuan Agong (King of Malaysia). INSTALLATION CEREMONIES
144 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum The Initiation of Duties Ceremony, which is a sign of His Royal Highness Sultan Sallehuddin’s approval to begin the Installation Ceremony, took place on 20 September 2018 at Balai Besar, Alor Setar. INITIATION OF DUTIES CEREMONY
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 145 Batil Perak (Silver Basil) Silver bowl is used to fill water from spring of 12 district in the state of Kedah. The springs water was presented to His Royal Highness during “Istiadat Letak Kerja” (the initiation of duties ceremony). This spring water will be used later in “Istiadat Siram Tabal” or shower ceremony. Batil Emas (Golden Basil) “Zamzam Water” was filled in “Batil Emas” (Gold Bowl) and was also presented to His Royal Higness Sultan of Kedah during “Istiadat Letak Kerja” (the initiation of duties ceremony) before used in “Istiadat Siram Tabal” or traditional shower ceremony.
146 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum Capsule Scrool A capsule made of silver to fill out with the “Watikah Pengisytiharan Letak Kerja”
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 147 Dulang Perak (Silver Tray) A rounded silver tray is used to fill the “sintok”, lime and incense used during the Tabal Flush Ceremony.
148 The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum The Visit to the Tomb Ceremony held at the Langgar Royal Mausoleum on 5th October 2018 was part of the Installation Ceremony of His Royal Highness Sultan Sallehuddin who has been installed as the Sultan of Kedah Darul Aman. Visiting the graves is a symbolic act by His Royal Highness the Sultan and Her Royal Highness the Sultanah of Kedah to honour the late Sultans of Kedah. VISIT TO THE TOMB CEREMONY
Kedah Sultanate Museum The Kedah Sultanate Collections • Kedah Sultanate Museum 149 Golden Pot Golden Busil