THE LEGEND OF KELANTAN

Kelantan was blessed in a flash of lightning.

According to popular belief, the name of Kelantan was derived from "kilatan", the Malay word for lightning, a cosmic phenomenon frequently lighting the way for early seafarers sailing into the mouth of the Kelantan River.

The Land of Lightning, an intriguing potpourri of multi-cultural, multi-religious influences that gives it what the locals call the Kelate’ flavour.

The Kelate’ dialect in itself is interesting as many words in the dialect are not found in the Malay language.

Kelantan is often referred to as the "Cradle of the Malay Culture" as the culture and age old traditions are still very much alive till this day.

Dubbed as "The Home of the Cottage Industries", traditional crafts such as Batik, Songket, Silvercraft, Wood Carving, Kris Making are some of the many types of Cottage Industries you will find here as you journey through the Land of Lightning.

Kelantan, apart from its age old culture and traditions, is rich with her legends or myths. Among the much well-known legends are that of Che Siti Wan Kembang and Putri Saadong.

Che Siti, great warrior Queen of Kelantan during the 14th century or 17th century was reputed to be a saint bestowed with spiritual powers. It was said that in 1345, the famous Muslim traveller, Ibnu Batutah, visited Her Royal Highness, who was also known as Urduga.

 It was during this time also that Arab traders presented a Kijang (a barking deer or Indian muntjac) to the legendary Queen of Kelantan. The legendary Queen loved her pet so much that she had coins minted with the Kijang inscribed in them.

The Kijang was then adopted as the State Crest of Kelantan in 1916. The kijang was also adopted by Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) as its official logo in 1964.

The story of Che Siti Wan Kembang is often associated with the youngest daughter of Sultan Jembal, Putri Saadong or Mariam, whom the legendary Queen brought her up in the mystical surroundings of Bukit Marak, after Putri Saadong's mother passed on.

 It was believed that it was Che Siti who gave away Putri Saadong's hand in marriage to Raja Abdullah when the princess was only 15 years old. Shortly after her marriage, Putri Saadong was forced to abandon her husband, due to the constant harassment of the King of Siam. She left Bukit Marak with the King of Siam to spare her husband's life. Raja Abdullah vowed to wait for her return and never to remarry.

 After years of waiting, Raja Abdullah remarried. When Putri Saadong returned to Bukit Marak to find Raja Abdullah remarried, a quarrel ensured. It was believed that Putri Saadong, overwhelmed with rage, killed Raja Abdullah with her hair pin.

 After the incident, Putri Saadong left Bukit Marak and subsequently disappeared. Raja Abdullah's tomb can still be seen at Padang Halban, Melor in the district of Bachok.

 Visitors to Bukit Marak can still visit the famous pool where Putri Saadong once bathed. It is also believed that at the peak of Bukit Marak, exist three unique stones, which resembled a favourite musical instrument of the Princess.

 As for the Legendary Queen, legend has it that Che Siti never died but instead "disappeared" into the mystical world and reappeared between the end of the 16th century and the middle of 17th century.

Prior to her "disappearance", Che Siti Wan Kembang, the legendary Queen of Kelantan was said to have meditated at Gunung Chita Wangsa in Ulu Kelantan where according to local natives, her spirit is believed still to be at large