Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis are three northern Malay states, each with a long and proud history within the Malay World (Alam Melayu).
Kedah — one of the oldest kingdoms
Kedah is among the oldest kingdoms in the Malay World. Archaeologists have uncovered temple ruins (candi) at the Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang), which show early Hindu and Buddhist influence and busy trade with India and China. The story of the kingdom's origins is told in the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (Kedah Annals). Its fertile plains make Kedah Malaysia's famous "rice bowl" (jelapang padi). After the coming of Islam, its rulers took the title Sultan.
Kelantan and Perlis
Kelantan is linked to the legend of the woman ruler Cik Siti Wan Kembang. The modern Kelantan Sultanate was founded in the late 18th century by Long Yunus. Kelantan is well known for traditional crafts and arts such as batik, songket, wau (decorative kite), gasing (spinning top) and wayang kulit (shadow puppetry).
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It separated from Kedah in 1843 under Syed Hussain Jamalullail. Unusually, its ruler carries the title Raja rather than Sultan; the royal town is Arau and the state capital is Kangar.
Key idea
Kedah is one of the oldest Malay kingdoms (Bujang Valley); Kelantan is famous for its crafts; Perlis is the smallest state and is led by a Raja.
Remember
- Kedah — Bujang Valley, rice bowl, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.
- Kelantan — Long Yunus, batik, wau, wayang kulit.
- Perlis — smallest state, ruler titled Raja, separated in 1843.