Negeri Sembilan, A Striking Legacy

In collaboration with Tourism Malaysia’s Domestic Marketing Division and Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan Office, Gaya Travel Magazine continued our KCC1M programme to Negeri Sembilan on the 6th to the 9th September 2014.

By Shahida Sakeri on October 9, 20155 minutes read

Negeri Sembilan was first formed when the Minangkabau people of Sumatra settle in the area in the 15th century. During the migration process, the Minangkabaus brought along their traditional custom called Adat Perpatih, a matrilineal system of inheritance and administration. According to Adat Perpatih, women’s status is considered high as can be seen in the role of a wife as the head of household and inheritance is passed from the mother to the daughter. When one explores Negeri Sembilan, it is similar to being immersed in the unique Minangkabau culture and state heritage that can be found nowhere else in Malaysia.

Customs Museum

Located in the quiet town of Kuala Klawang, approximately 30 kilometres from Seremban, the Customs Museum features four attractive galleries to educate people on the lifestyle and customs of the native societies in Malaysia such as adat berkhatan (circumcision ceremony), adat perahu (giving offerings to the spirit of the sea) and adat mengangkat tiang seri
(the ceremony of erecting the main pillar of the Malay traditional house according to geomancy). Here, we also learned about tumbuk kalang, a musical tradition performed during paddy harvesting season. The museum opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the admission is free. Interested visitors can also book for a free one hour guided tour led by one of the museum’s staff.

Address: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, 196, Jalan Dato’ Umbi, Kuala Klawang, 71600 Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan
Phone No: +6 06 613 6586 / 6621
GPS: 2°56’22.0”N 102°04’13.2”E

Homestay Klawang

Homestay Klawang is located in the district of Jelebu, the land rich in Adat Perpatih, Negeri Sembilan’s living culture and blessed with abundant greenery. Formed since 2008, the homestay promises guests an authentic Negeri Sembilan Malay village atmosphere that is made merry with various traditional activities done like the process of making lemang (glutinous rice, coconut milk and salt, cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick lined with banana leaves) and dodol (a sweet toffee-like confection made from coconut milk, jaggery, and rice flour, and is sticky, thick and sweet).

The KCC1M delegates had the opportunity to try one activity that is special in Homestay Klawang, which was mengocak ikan (catching fish solely using hands instead of fishing rod). Homestay Klawang is well received by the locals and foreigners – it once hosted a youth programme comprising mainland Chinese delegates. A total of 29 houses participate in this homestay programme and the package starts at RM270 for a 3-day stay, inclusive of meals and activities.

Address: Kampung Ulu Jelebu, 71600 Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan
Phone No: +6 019 273 1507
Website: www.homestayklawang. blogspot.jp
GPS: 2°55’25.2”N 102°04’51.8”E

Titi Eco Farm Resort

Rantau Eco Park

Rantau Eco Park has been operating actively in Malaysia for the past three months. The 100-acre park, located at Kuala Sawah, offers sufficient facilities to cater not only private getaways but also group events with its 16 chalets, 20 dormitories, meeting rooms and a main hall. There are many activities that can be done here such as visiting the mini zoo, jogging, barbequing, cycling, horse riding, ATV riding, canoeing and jungle trekking. There is also a campsite that can be rented out for the price between RM 80 to RM100 for two to four persons per tent. Rates offered here are flexible, thus, interested parties can arrange with Rantau Eco Park’s booking team to get the best prices.

Address: Kg. Pasir, Kuala Sawah, 71200 Rantau, Negeri Sembilan
Web: www.rantauecopark.com.my
Phone No: +6 03 9287 6833
GPS: 2°37’13.9”N 101°56’30.1”E

Army Museum, Port Dickson

Being operated since 2005, the museum that is housed in two renovated old buildings intends to give visitors an overview on the history of army in Malaysia. There are three equally interesting sections: the Portuguese and Dutch era, the British Invasion era and finally, the Party Communist of Malaya (PCM) tunnel. Please bear in mind that the tunnel can quite dark, yet well ventilated. The museum has received with many accolades, including The Best Tourist Attraction (Attraction with National Identity – Heritage) during the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2005/2006, proving that the museum is worth visiting. However, it only opens on Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no admission fee charged here.

Address: Kem Si Rusa, Persiaran Pahlawan, 71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Phone No: +6 06 640 9488
GPS: 2° 29’47.64N, 101° 50’52.31E

NS Galleria Chocolate World, Chocolate Valley Sdn. Bhd.

NS Galleria Chocolate World is a gallery concept shop that only sells locally made chocolates.

The owner, Siti Noraizah Kasim, hopes that with the establishment of such galleria, the local products would be able to reach wider market faster. To date, Chocolate Valley has been producing over 10 chocolate-based products that live up to the international standards as they use the highest quality of cocoa imported from Belgium. Additionally, the chocolate products sold here are halal, thus Muslims can simply consume the products with peace of mind. Chocolate Valley Sdn. Bhd. also has a chocolate manufacturing workshop at Pusat Usahawan Pertanian Ampang Tinggi. The galleria opens everyday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Address: Lembaga Muzium Negeri, Negeri Sembilan, Jalan Sungai Ujong, 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Phone No: +6 017 267 3215
GPS: 2.716775 N, 101.949871 E