Negeri Sembilan starts just 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Negeri Sembilan, which literally means
nine states, has many villages with patches of urban development. But that is
slowly changing.
Negeri
Sembilan is well-known for its strong Minangkabau
influences, which are still evident in its unique architecture and matrilineal
society.
The Minangkabau people migrated across the
Straits of Melaka from Sumatra centuries ago and their traditional houses are
distinguished by sweeping roof peaks shaped like buffalo horns. Some examples
of these influences can be seen in the State Mosque and the State Secretariat
Building.
The Minangkabau people of Negeri Sembilan still practise the
matrilineal social system known as the "adat perpatih", where the
women are the head of the household, making the state the only one to adhere to
such social norms.
The state has one of the most accessible
beaches closest to the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, known as Port Dickson, which is popular with
weekenders. But beyond this famous beach, there is a little bit of everything
for everyone to explore in this state, from the history buff to the nature
lover.
The name is believed to derive from the
nine districts or negeri (now known as luak) settled by the Minangkabau, a
people originally from West Sumatra (present-day Indonesia). Minangkabau
features are still visible today in traditional architecture and the dialect of
Malay spoken. Unlike the hereditary monarchs of the other royal Malay states,
the ruler of Negeri Sembilan - known
as Yang di-Pertuan Besar - is
selected by the council of Undangs who lead the four biggest districts of Sungai
Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau.
The capital of Negeri Sembilan is Seremban.
The royal capital is Seri Menanti in
Kuala Pilah district. Other
important towns are Port Dickson and
Nilai.
Negeri
Sembilan is mainly an agricultural state. However,
the establishment of several industrial estates enhanced the manufacturing
sector as a major contributor towards the state economy.
Agricultural activity includes rubber and
oil palm plantations, livestock, fruit orchards and vegetable farming. About
3,099 square kilometres are used for rubber and oil palm plantations.
What to See and Do in Negeri Sembilan?
Kampung Pelegong Homestay. Get away from
it all and return to the serenity of life in a traditional Malay village under
the Pelegong Homestay programme in Negeri
Sembilan. Here, you will be able to enjoy the warm hospitality of your host
family and be a part of the household by joining them in their daily
activities. Wake up to the authenticity of 'kampung' life. Listen to the sounds
of cockerels greeting a new day, breathe in the crisp fresh air and look
forward to the simple pleasures of life -- collect your own eggs from the coop,
learn to tap a rubber tree, enjoy an icy cold dip in the nearby river before
trying your hand at fishing or baking delicious Malay cakes. The adventure in
store also allows you to discover the origins of the village and the rich
history it holds. Appreciate the many cottage industries and the fine products
manufactured here. Marvel at the nimble fingers of Pak Adol the rattan weaver,
and be awed by the creative men and women whose skilled hands make the finest
handicrafts. If you are the outdoor type, you'll enjoy a good trek into the
lush rainforest and discover cascading waterfalls and crystal clear streams.
Then, come back to the gentle hands of a traditional masseur or masseuse to
soothe all aches away.
- The Cultural Handicraft Complex was set
up to preserve Negeri Sembilan's
rich culture and heritage. The complex is housed in a building fashioned after
a traditional Negeri home. The culture of the Negeri people bears a strong
resemblance to the Minangkabau culture of Sumatra, just across the Straits of
Melaka. The most visible identity of this matrilineal culture is the
traditional roofs of village houses and even state buildings. The roofs are
swooped and rise to a sharp point on either end of the house, symbolising a
water buffalo's horns. Buffalos are historically not only beasts of burden but
also signs of wealth. The elaborate handicrafts on display and on sale within
this Minangkabau-themed cultural complex greatly reflect Negeri Sembilan's history and heritage.
- Tampin District Museum. Situated in the
'green zone' on a hilly area close to the Tampin Recreational Park, surrounded
by overhanging trees and shrubs, in a very pleasant and refreshing environment.
This single-storey museum building, built in the 1920's was originally the
residence of a high ranking government officer. It was the first district
museum to be developed in Negeri
Sembilan. The exhibition areas display various socio-cultural artefacts of
the luak Tampin such as musical instruments, traditional Malay weapons and some
regalia signifying the traditional and cultural practices of the Malay
community including the traditional attire of dignitaries. There is a special
area housing the history of Tunku Besar Tampin as well as an Islamic
Civilisation exhibition. Other than a collection of local handicrafts, several
traditional agricultural tools are also on display. Find out how the paddy
fields were ploughed and harvested before the industrial age. To the right of
the main gate of the museum, you will notice a white 'Border Stone' built in
1886 which signifies the division of Tampin and Melaka. However, the original
location of this stone was Pulau Sebang, a place 500 metres from its present
location. And just outside the gates, in front of the museum, is a cultural
platform
- Jeram Gading (Gading Rapids). A beautiful
landscape of tropical rainforests, rivers and waterfalls against the backdrop
of the hills and mountains in the east plus the stretch of sandy beaches on the
west coast describes the land of Negeri
Sembilan. The topography of this state, situated at the end of the Main
Range running from the North of Peninsula Malaysia, is very much characterised
by this vast stretch of highlands. Many recreational areas have been identified
along this range, the National Park, being the biggest. It is believed that the
name originated from the existence of the many elephants in the area - gading
meaning tusk. The main attraction of Jeram Gading is the waterfall, cascading
sheets of water flowing through trees and boulders sending sprays of water in
the air as it hits obstacles in its path, curling into balls of white foam
before disappearing into calmer waters. Although the area is not suitable for
kayaking, it is an ideal spot for family picnics. Enjoy frolicking around with
children in the clear waters and take pleasure in listening to the stream.
Situated 23km from Kuala Klawang, Jeram Gading is in the Kenaboi district.
Driving to this tourist attraction, you will pass roads lined with shrubs, most
of them fruit trees and orchards belonging to the villagers.
- Tanjung Biru Beach. Blue Lagoon is a
very secluded and tranquil cove at the foothill of Cape Rachado (Tanjung Tuan).
It offers a breathtaking view of the thickly wooded cape and the blue open sea.
The area is home to many birds, including hawks and eagles, which can
occasionally be seen hovering in the air. Most of all, the tranquility of the
place has a soothing effect on visitors, inviting them to just relax and
unwind. Here they can do nothing and just dream away. This lagoon is an ideal
spot for swimming, boating, and wind surfing or just lazing on the beach.
- Cape Rachado Lighthouse. The Portuguese
built the Cape Rachado lighthouse in the 16th century. The lighthouse guided
ships to the Port of Malacca. It is still operatoinal today. Go up the narrow
spiral staircase and see the panoramic view of the coastline of Sumatra, 38 km
across the Straits. The cape is also the stopover point for migratory birds.
From September to March, flocks of sparrows, honey buzzards and swifts can be
seen here together with hawks and eagles. Walk down the 63 steps next to the
lighthouse and follow the jungle trek to a secluded beach. The footprint
embedded in a rock, about 50 metre to the right of the track, is said to be
that of Hang Tuah, the legendary Malay Malaccan warrior of the 15th century.
Legend has it that upon acquiring innate strength and knowledge, Hang Tuah
chose to meditate here. The footprint marks the spot where he first landed at
Tanjung Tuan. A well close by whose cool chilled water is a haven for the tired
and thirsty, is also said to have been dug by him. Local devotees have known to
pay their homage at this spot.
- Lukut Fort. Fort Raja Jumaat is about 7
km from Port Dickson. He was a 19th
century Bugis warrior. The fort was built in 1847 to control the lucrative tin
trade in the area. Today the muzzle loading guns used to defend the fort can be
seen within the grounds of the District Officer's residence and outside the
Police Station in town. In the area of the fort are also the remains of the
foundation of an old palace and a royal burial ground.
Food for Thought
The traditional Minangkabau cuisine of Negeri Sembilan incorporates many of
the aromatic herbs, roots and other ingredients used in Malay cooking, such as
lemon grass, ginger, garlic, shallots, kaffir limes, fresh or dried chillies
and rich, creamy coconut milk known as 'santan'.
With almost 900 restaurants and stall
situated in the town of Seremban and
Port Dickson alone, Negeri Sembilan offers an extensive
array of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other cuisine. There are many
mouth-watering must try specialties of the sate and here are a few of the most
popular ones.
- Masak Lemak Cili Api. As the locals have
a taste for the hot and spicy, it's no surprise that one of Negeri Sembilan's most popular dishes
is Masak Lemak Cili Api, which either ikan sembilang (catfish), beef, chicken,
or ikan pekasam (pickled fish) is cooked with an aromatic concoction of onion,
lemon grass, tumeric and the most important ingredients, tiny, extra hot
chillies called cili api (bird chillies), all simmered in coconut milk. This is
one hot dish that will make you sweat as you savour it, usually with steamed
white rice.
- Lemang. Lomang is what the locals calls
it or better known lemang, sold in the long bamboo stems, is a familiar sight
on the roadside during festive seasons, when people travel via the highway back
to their hometowns or away for holiday. This very popular dish, for which
Kampung Seri Kendung in Rembau is famous, consists of a mixture of glutinous
rice and coconut milk placed in young bamboo stems lined with banana leaves,
cooked over a low fire. Much care and patience is needed in the cooking process
to ensure that the lemang isn't burned. It can be eaten by itself or with
rendang.
- Rendang. Another local favourite popular
throughout the country is rending, or ghondang in the Negeri Sembilan dialect. It
is basically made from usually beef or chicken slowly simmered in herbs, spices
and coconut milk until the gravy is thick, almost dry. Although it is known as
the perfect companion for lemang, it can be eaten with almost anything from
white rice, lontong or nasi lemak. There are many varieties of rending,
including rendang Minang and rendang belalang ghondang (grasshopper rendang).
- Gulai Kuning. Gulai kuning, a local
gravy-based dish with a distinctive yellow hue, is made with coconut milk and a
variety of herbs, and spices, including lemon grass, union, tumeric, coconut
milk and galangal. There are many varieties of this versatile dish; among the
most common are made with pineapple, fish, chicken and beef. It is also popular
that it can be found in Malay restaurants all over Malaysia.
- Sambal Tempoyak Daun Kayu. Combining
many different types' leaves and herbaceous plants, thinly-sliced and cooked in
thick, rich spicy gravy, the Sambal Tempoyak Daun Kayu's piquant flavour is
guaranteed to make your mouth water. The original recipe would contain more
than 40 types of leaves and plants, including some rare species such as the
Pucuk Lidah Kerbau, Sulur Keladi Birah, Pucuk Tetek, Pucuk Pelanduk and Pucuk
Sekentut. This delicious dish is usually served topped with ikan bilis
(anchovies) and petai (stink bean), and eaten with hot steamed rice.
- Other Traditional Dishes. Negeri Sembilan has countless more delicious dishes such as its famous Kerabu (a
kind of spicy salad), sambal belimbing (star fruit sambal), sambal tempoyak
(fermented durian sambal), telur itik masak lemak cili padi (duck egg cooked
with coconut milk and hot chillies) and keladi asam pedas (hot and sour yams).
Don't miss your chance to try this delicious one dish (or several dishes) at a
time in the eateries all over the state.
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