Unique Kota Kayang Museum Lacking Visitors

By Kurniawati Kamarudin KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) – During the recent school holidays, this writer had the chance to visit Perlis after a 20-year hiatus. The last visit there was not for a vacation but as archaeological student involved in excavation works in Kota Kayang. Today, the site has become a historical complex that houses the Kota Kayang Historical Museum. As a student of archaeology, this writer found the opportunity to excavate at a historical site a priceless experience. Her recent visit to the site, some five kilometres from Kuala Perlis, brought back memories of the two-week excavation in 1998. The excavation was at the time headed by the late Drs Mohd Supian Sabtu, the Archaeological Curator of Lembah Bujang in Merbok, Kedah. The two-year excavation from 1997 to 1998 unearthed the site of a former palace known as Kota Indera Kayangan, where the Kedah-Perlis royal family used to reside. This is based on the historical artefacts found in the area, particularly the tomb of Sultan Dhiauddin al-Mukarram Shah 1 (1661-1687). LOOKING BACK The greenery set against the backdrop of limestone hills greeted this writer on arrival at the Kota Kayang Museum. The beautiful museum that stood on the ground of the former excavation site left nothing of the trace of the muddy paddy field it once was. Although this writer has had the chance to follow many other excavations, none were as challenging and exciting as the one in Kota Kayang. Along with some 30 other people comprising staff from the National Museum, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) students and researchers, this writer remember having to wade through water up to the waist looking for artefacts in the waterlogged area. Broken pieces of earthenware were found in abundance at the site. This writer still remembered how excited the team was every time an artefact was found. The level of enthusiasm rose every time someone managed to find old coin pieces. Every artefact revealed a piece of the history, telling stories of ancient cultures and lifestyles. A UNIQUE MUSEUM According to a Kota Kayang Museum personnel, Zaidi Harun, what was formerly the excavation site has been turned into a parking lot for museum visitors. Kota Kayang was built on an area surrounded by hills, among them Kayang Hill, Kubu Hill, Lambong Panah Hill and Menara Hill. It is located within the sub-district of Kayang, near the oldest man-made canal in Peninsular Malaysia. The canal used to be the transportation route connecting Kota Kayang, Kuala Perlis and Alor Setar. Research on the excavation site revealed that more than 350 years ago, a river flowed into the area. However, its location has today shifted some 100 metres away from the museum building. Once an administrative centre, Kota Kayang was strategically located as it stood on the foot of a limestone hill which doubled up as a fortress against enemy attacks, said Zaidi. The name “Kota Indera Kayangan” that is given to Perlis is believed to have been derived from the term “kayang”, used by Sultan Dhiauddin Al-Mukarram Shah, who depicted the city as “kayangan” (paradise). The museum, built in 1999, was designed based on the long-roofed Perlis-Malay housing architecture. Its walls are made of bamboo strips featuring the “kelarai” (wickerwork) usually found in traditional Perlis-Malay homes. The beams and doors, meanwhile, feature intricate carving synonymous with traditional Malay homes. BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE Visitors will not only get to view artefacts on the history of Perlis but a chance to enjoy the breathtaking landscape of the surrounding limestone hills. They can also visit the other attractions within the area, including Gua Kayang and the royal well. There are six galleries within the Kota Kayang Museum namely the history gallery, archaeology gallery, royal gallery, culture gallery and the Perlis Menteri Besar gallery. The gallery features over 300 collections including those of musical instruments, weaponry, agricultural tools, traditional games and carpentry. The archaeological collection showcases records of archaeological finds in Perlis and photographs of the excavation done in Kota Keran, Kota Indera Kayangan. Aside from the artefacts found in Kota Kayang, other artefacts on display include earthenware from the Neolithic era that were used during funerals at the time. There is also a special collection that features, among it, the Letter of Appreciation from the Chulalongkorn King to the Perlis ruler, Raja Syed Hussein. LACK OF VISITORS Although the museum has been opened to visitors since September 2001, not many know of its existence or have come to visit it. This was perhaps due because of its location which is 7km off Kangar town, said Zaidi. The museum fell short of its target of 60,000 visitors last year, with only 53,132 people visiting last year. He said that the museum was constantly promoting its exhibits online including through social media. “We have planned five programmes this year to promote and encourage more visitors to the museum so that we can reach the target of 60,000 visitors this years,” said Zaidi. -- BERNAMA