KOTA VISIT PERLIS 2024 Discover Our Local Treasures: Join 'Kota Kayang Museum' for an exploration of the rich cultural gems in our community's museums. KAYANG MUSEUM
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 01 Organisational Structure : Department Of Museums Malaysia 02 Kayang’s Tomb 04 Exhibits 06 Activity & Events - Special Visit by Ms. Ainu Sham 08 - Sk Felda Mata Air 05 - Kota Kayang Events 10 Director’s Hope in 2024 12 Group Photo & Logo 14 KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM VISIT PERLIS 2024
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM he Kota Kayang Museum in Kuala Perlis is a renowned historical complex in Perlis, offering a variety of information about the history of the state. The museum is surrounded by limestone hills that served as a natural fortress or barrier against enemy attacks in ancient times. Additionally, in front of the museum, there is a canal believed to have once been a route connecting Kota Kayang, Kuala Perlis, and Alor Setar. The Kota Kayang Museum building is constructed on the archaeological site of historical significance in Perlis, and it has been reconstructed with the exact design of a traditional Perlis house. Many historical artifacts were discovered during the excavation work at the museum's construction site. The museum is under the administration of the Department of Museums Malaysia, Ministry of National Unity, and it houses historical artifacts from the state of Perlis. There are two buildings constructed in different phases. Building A was constructed in 1999 and completed in 2000. Building A houses three galleries: the Archaeology Gallery, History Gallery, and Weapons Gallery. Besides, Building B, completed in 2006, accommodates three galleries: the Cultural Gallery, Chief Minister's Gallery for Perlis, and Royal Gallery specializing in artifacts related to the Perlis royalty. At the rear of the museum, there is the tomb of the late Kayang Pertama, Sultan Dhiauddin Al-Mukarram Shah, the 15th Sultan of Kedah, who developed Kota Indera Kayangan as the administrative center of the Kedah state. Additionally, there is the Royal Well of Kota Kayang used as a source of clean water by Sultan Dhiauddin Al-Mukarram Shah. It has been crucial to the surrounding residents as it never dries up even during prolonged dry seasons. Recently, the Kota Kayang Museum also houses the Birth House of His Majesty the Raja of Perlis (Green House), which was relocated from its original location in Arau. Source : Perlis Geopark INTRODUCTION 1
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE KETUA PJUSTIMBALAN KETUA PENGARAH (DASAR) JUSA C BAHAGIAN DASAR DAN PEMBANGUNAN (S54) BAHAGIAN PENGURUSAN KOLEKSI (S52) BAHAGIAN PENGURUSAN KONSERVASI (S52) BAHAGIAN KHIDMAT PENGURUSAN (M48) MUZIUM NEGARA (S54) MUZIUM ALAM SEMULAJADI (S52) MUZIUM ETNOLOGI DUNIA MELAYU (S52) BAHAGIAN KOMUNIKASI KORPORAT (S48) UNIT INTEGRITI (S41/S44) UNIT PENGURUSAN SUMBER MANUSIA (N41/N44) UNIT PEMBANGUNAN MODALINSAN (S44) UNIT KEWANGAN (WA41/WA44) UNIT KESELAMATAN (KP41/KP44) UNIT PENTADBIRAN (N29/N32) UNIT DASAR DAN PERANCANGAN STRATEGIK (S48) UNIT TEKNOLOGI MAKLUMAT (F48) UNIT PEMBANGUNAN DAN PENGURUSAN HARTA (S48) UNIT PEROLEHAN ARTIFAK (S44) UNIT PERKHIDMATAN REPOSITORI (S41/S44) UNIT ARKIB DAN PENDAFTARAN ELEKTRONIK (S38) UNIT INVENTORI KOLEKSI ARTIFAK (S41/S44) UNIT KONSERVASI BAHAN BUKAN ORGANIK (S41/S44) UNIT KONSERVASI BAHAN ORGANIK (S41/S44) UNIT KONSERVASI PREVENTIF (S41/S44) DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUMS MALAYSIA 2 Director of Kota Kayang Museum, Puan Siti Munirah Kasim
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ENGARAH SA B TIMBALAN KETUA PENGARAH (PERMUZIUMAN)JUSA C BAHAGIAN PENYELIDIKAN DAN DOKUMENTASI (S52) MUZIUM KOTA KAYANG (S41/S44) UNIT PENYELIDIKAN (S44) UNIT PENERBITAN DAN DOKUMENTASI (S44) UNIT PERPUSTAKAAN (S41/S44) UNIT PERKHIDMATAN MUZIUM (S44) UNIT PENDIDIKAN MUZIUM (S41/S44) UNIT SUMBER MEDIA (B22) MUZIUM ADAT (S44) BAHAGIAN PAMERAN DAN PEMBANGUNAN (S52) MUZIUM PERAK (S48) MUZIUM KOTA KUALA KEDAH (S29/S32) MUZIUM KOTA JOHOR LAMA (S29/S32) MUZIUM MUZIK (S41/S44) MUZIUM TEKSTIL NEGARA (S48) GALERIA PERDANA (S48) MUZIUM DIRAJA (S44) MUZIUM ARKEOLOGI LEMBAH BUJANG (S41/S44) MUZIUM SENIBINA MALAYSIA (S41/S44) MUZIUM LABUAN (S41/S44) MUZIUM MATANG (S29/S32) MUZIUM LUKUT (S29/S32) MUZIUM SENI KRAF ORANG ASLI (S32) MUZIUM SUNGAI LEMBING (S32) MUZIUM AUTOMOBIL NASIONAL (S29/S32) MUZIUM CHIMNEY (S29/S32) MUZIUM MARIN (S29/S32) 3
KAYANG’S TOMB Sultan Dhiauddin Al-Mukarram Shah (Al-Marhum Kayang): Architect of Transformation in 17th-Century Kedah KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM KAYANG’S TOMB After Sultan Muhyiddin Syah, or Al-Marhum Sena, who lived in Kota Sena close to Kangar, Sultan Dhiauddin Al-MukarramShah, also called Al-Marhum Kayang, became the 15th Sultan of Kedah in 1661 and held the tittle 1687. Significant progress was made in the state of Kedah during the visionary reign of Al-Marhum Kayang. Many initiatives that had a lasting impact on different aspects of society and management were implemented. Kota Indera Kayangan’s installation as Kedah’s new seat of goverment was one significant role; it demonstrated the Sultan’s effort to the advancement and centralized control of administrative functions. In addition to administrative reforms, Al-Marhum Kayang brought about significant legislative and economic changes. One such measure was the introduction of an octagonal-shaped currency made of an alloy of copper and silver, which demonstrated its commitment to improving the state’s financial system. Regarding legal governance, Al-Marhum Kayang carried out the “Undang-Udndang Kedah”, a comprehensive legislation comprising sisteen articles that aimed to organize and regulate different aspects of the advancement of infrastructure by supervising the labor-intensive the discovery of a water canal that connected the Perlis River’s southern back to Anak Bukit in Kedah. This canal enabled enhanced irrigation and water management practices. Al-Marhum Kayang’s attempts to developing important ties with the Bugis authorities in Makassar demonstrated his strategic vision in cultivating regional ties and expanded Kedah’s sphere of influence. Notably, the tomb of Al-Marhum Kayang’s sonin-law, Juang Tawa, a well-known Bugis Prince, is located next to the latter’s final resting place, signifying the long-lasting relationships that were established during this period in Kedah’s history. 4
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM KAYANG’S TOMB 5
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM EXHIBITS Discovered at a Perlis excavation site, these Neolithic stone tools were used for wood stamping, digging, and cutting. The Neolithic communicaty in the area made significant technological advancements and learned a great deal about historically human activity from their discovery. The official currency of Thailand is called “Baht”, and it consists of coins and notes that are issues by the goverment. Together with the corresponding coins, these Baht notes, with their unique designs and range of denominations, symbolize the monetary system that supports trade and economic activity across Thailand’s varried and dynamic regions. TYPEWRITTER PREHISTORIC STONE ADZES MATA BELIUNG Journey Through Culture: Unveiling the Treasures of Kota Kayang Museum ‘BAHT’ NOTES & COINS OF THAILAND’S GOVERMENT 6
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM EXHIBITS The broken pieces of white and blue Chinese porcelain that were found in 1998 during an archaelogical dig are physical reminders of a time when these priceless items were exported during the Ching Dynasty-era. PISAU BELATI & THE BUKU LIMA VILLAGER MENORA PORSELIN “Pisau Belati” usually refers to a traditional knife or dagger from Indonesia or Malaysia. These knives are occasionally used for ceremonial or decorative purposes and frequently have a unique pattern. Regarding “buku lima”, the Indonesian translation is “book five”. It’s difficult to give precise information on what this might mean in the setting of the museum without more context. The majority of these exported porcelain pieces date to the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting the lasting legacy of Chinese craftsmanship and its global reach during that specific period. These carefully excavated archaeological findings provide a fascinating glimpse into the historical trade dynamics. 7
“We express our gratitude to Ms. Ainu Sham binti Haji Ramli, Director General of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, and her staff for their gracious presence at the Kota Kayang Museum. Mr. Mohd Shahrir bin Mohamad Ramli, the Perlis Branch’s Director of Crafts, was also present. With the blessings of Allah, the Kota Kayang Museum and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation will soon be working together on interesting projects that will complement Visit Perlis Year. A year of artistic activities and cultural exploration is coming up.” -Pn. Munirah, Director of Kota Kayang Museum. Special visit by Ms. Ainu Sham, Director-General of Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation. 05.1.2024 Source: Kota Kayang Museum Facebook KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ACTIVITY & EVENTS 8
With SK Felda Mata Air, Perlis, take a step outside the classroom for an immersive learning experience and set off on an educational journey. Take an interesting trip to the museum, where students may easily review their historical knowledge, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of history. Calling out to all schools keen for an exciting post exam excursion join us in discovering the treasures of Kota Kayang Museum. SK Felda Mata Air school trip 11.1.2024 Source: Kota Kayang Museum Facebook KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ACTIVITY & EVENTS 9
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ACTIVITY & EVENTS Kota Kayang Museum: Nurturing Community Spirit through Diverse Events Source: Kota Kayang Museum Facebook Few events was held in Kota Kayang Museum. These events brings a lot of positive energy and engagement to the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The diverse range of activities, from showcasing local talents to promoting sportsmanship, fostering collaborations among artists, facilitating religious talks, and organizing community service initiatives, collectively contributes to the enrichment of the cultural and social fabric of Kota Kayang. 10
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM ACTIVITY & EVENTS 11
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM DIRECTOR’S HOPE IN 2024 Promoting the Kota Kayang Museum during the Perlis 2024 visiting year is intended to increased the number of visitors. By highlighting the museum’s historical importance and providing visitors with an enhanced cultural experience, UniMAP and Tourism Malaysia hope to increase the museum’s visibility. The beautiful area of Perlis is expected to see consistent year-over-year increases in visitor numbers in 2024. With a focus on increased interest and foot traffic at the Kota Kayang Museum (KKM), this positive perspective focuses on the expectation that there will be an obvious increase in the number of tourists, highlighting the museum’s increasing importance as a cultural and historical destination in the area. 12 Unlocking Perlis’s Past: Promoting Kota Kayang Museum d
KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM DIRECTOR’S HOPE IN 2024 Apart from the well-known tourist attractions of Wang Kelian, Padang Besar, Kuala Perlis, and other interesting locations in the gorgeous area, there is a hopeful expectation that more people will be lured to discover the cultural and historical textile housed in the Kota Kayang Museum. This intense hope is reinforced by the anticipation that these curious visitors will try to explore Perlis’s rich history with the aim to learn more about its past. This includes information about the museum’s founding, the order of its construction, and the names of the visionary people who brought it to be. 13 during Perlis 2024 Visiting Year