Awe is the nickname for a Chinese man in Kelantan. He speaks the Kelantanese dialect fluently and culturally.... He's very Kelantanese. It's near impossible to tell a Malay from a Chinese by just listening to his speech spoken in the Kelantanese dialect, without actually looking at the person. Awe is usually ever so sensitive to the feelings of the community in which he lives in.
B is for Bekwoh
Bekwoh... a feast or 'kenduri' in Malay. The word is a Kelantanese dialect which may have originated from the English word 'big work'. during 'bekwoh',it's the tradition for guests to give fine sugar, biscuits and condensed milk as gift or token to the host.
C is for Cek Mek Molek
Cek Mek Molek means a beautiful lady in Malay. As beautiful as it names the taste is even better.. Cek Mek Molek is made from sweet potato, wheat flour and sugar. This cuisine is best eaten while it is hot with tea or coffee.. Just name the occasion, you will not be dissapointed. They can be found especially duirng the fasting month of Ramadhan. Sold at roadsside stalls, and sometimes served as desserts in restaurants.
D is for Dabong
Dabong is a small town located in the Jeli Municipal of Kelantan. The Jelawang jungle in Dabong offers a variety or trekking opportunities as well as different levels of comfort. There are waterfalls and mountains around the area that are sure to captive trekkers. You can also find Mount Stong, Kelantan's highest mountain at 1422m in Dabong. The Fish Cave or 'Gua Ikan' in Malay is situated near the Galas River. It's named after a fish-like rock formation inside. Rumour has is that this cave still houses the horde of gold left behind during the Japanese occupation.
E is for Ewek
ewek is a term used in a mock election. Ewek refers to a vote that is likely to swing to your enemy camp. Ewek also have another meaning in Kelantanese dialect. 'Ewek' means weak. An 'ewek' or weak personality and it can be used on things too.
F is Four Seasons Restaurant
A classy restaurant serving a wide range of Halal Chinese cuisine. To add some local touch, the food is cooked in different styles such as Malay or Thai. Specialities include Oyster Pancakes, Deep Fried kampung Chicken and Buttered Prawns.
G is for Gulale
A local word for Cotton Candy. A popular snack among kids. This soft and fluffy pink-coloured candy is sticky and sweet and can be found around town, especially at the market and by the beach. In some areas, the Gulale is served in a cone.
H is for Hover
Hover Restaurant is a very famous restaurant located along Jalan Dato' Pati. Serves Nasi Padang with a Kelantan touch. The restaurant is packed with customerr as early as 11am; by noon, it becomes near immpossible to get seat. The restaurant is synonymous with what's known as Nasi Paku or 'nail' rice. Where normal restaurants would use a rubber band to bind the wrapped rice, in Hover they use a nail instead!
I is for Igat
Igat is a Kelantanese word for the word 'arrested' or 'kena tangkap' in Malay. example: Amin kena igat (kena tangkap) kelmarin. (Amin was arrested yesterday)
J is for Jaafar Rawas
Jaafar Rawas is a shop located within the PAS Building in Jalan Dato' Pati, Kota Bharu. jaafar Rawas is famous for its batik and tudung (headscarves) offered at incredibly reasonable prices. It is the spot for all your Haj (pilgrimage) and Umrahs products.
K is for Kopi
No... it isnt 'coffee' or 'kopi' in Malay. In this part of the world, 'kopi' takes on a whole new meaning. Kopi, in Kelantan, is a 'can' or 'tin' used as a measuring method in the market. 1 'kopi' of ikan bilis means one can of anchoviels. Two 'kopi' equals to two cans and so on.
L is for Lecu
Lecu is widely used by the majority of women in Kelantan. It comes in different shapes and colours. Lecu is used by the rest of the world's female population too.. Yes folks.. Lecu means Lipstick. The word might be different but the objective remains the same.
M is for Mokte
Kelantanese version or rambutan. Rambutan or mokte in Kelantanese is a type of fruit that is reddish and sometimes yellow in colour, covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name rambutan, derived from the Malay word rambut which means hairs. The fruit flesh is translucent, whitish with a sweet taste.
N is for Nekbat
Nekbat is a very popular light dessert made of rice flour and eggs, prepared in a mould over a light fire. When it turns yellow and fluffy, it would be soaked in pandan flavoured syrup before eating.
O is for Old Market
MPKB or Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Old Market opens everyday at 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The Old Market adopts the wholesale concept for bussinessmen interested in being wholesalers and purchasing the goods in bulk. The market is also famous for scarves, ready-made clothes with variety of designs, as well as traditional food.
P is for Putih Star
Putih is 'white' in Malay language but there's nothing Putih or white in the meaning of Putih Star. Putih Star means 'warna ungu' or 'purple colour'. Confused?
Q is for Quail
The quail or Burung Puyuh rules in Kelantan. Deep-fried quail is local favourite. Best eaten with steamed white rice or piping hot Nasi Lemak. Another quail that's also famous in Kelantan is the wau burung puyuh, or 'the quail kite'.
R is for Riya
Riya is the term used in reference to currency in Kelantan. In the market or supermarket, Riya refers to the Malaysian currency, the Ringgit Malaysia. In Kelantan 1 Riya is equivalent to RM1.
S is for Samah
If Riya is Ringgit Malaysia then Samah is 50 cent. The word is believed to be derived from the word 'se emas' or one gold coin. Anything 50 cent in Kelantan is Samah and everything that is RM1.50 is tiga amah. Strangely, no other increments of 50 cent like RM1(se riya), RM2 (dua riya) or even RM2.50 (2 riya setengah) are called dua amah, pat amah or lima amah respectively. Go figure!
T is for Tijah
Tijah is not a shortened form or a nickname for Khatijah, and neither is it referring to lady. Tijah to a Kelantanese is a small pebble-sized clam, oval in shaped and slightly bigger than Etok. It can be cooked in so many ways but nothing beats Tijah Masak Lemak or Tijah (cooked) in coconut milk(santan).
U is for Ubi Stelo
Ubi stelo or sweet potatoes are widely used in Kelantan's cuisine. Ubi Stelo or 'keledek' in Malay is the main ingredient for many famous local desserts such as Cik Mek Molek.
V is for Vibrant
The Kelantan woman is vibrant, vivacious and throughly captivating. They play a major role in the economic growth of the state. They have an instinctive knowledge of how to get along with people and often attract an interesting social circle.
W is for Wak Dogol
One of the main characters in shadow play or 'wayang kulit'. Wak Dogol is a court jester, joker, fool, wit-cracker and a prankster. Wak Dogol would brighten up any shadow puppet with his comedy.
X is for X-Treme
X-Treme white water rafting. Sungai Nenggiri in Ulu Kelantan offers exciting white water rafting in spectacular scenery. Depending on the timing of your visit, the rivers in the Kelantan area might be slow moving and transquil or an exhilarating experience, the rapids can be negotiated by raft. During stretch that are less frenzied, there's plenty of wildlife and exquisite rainforest to observed on the banks as you pass by.
Y is for Yolk
Egg yolk is the main ingredient in any Kelantanese kuih (Malay cakes). Two particularly famous sugar, are the JALA MAS and BUAH TANJONG. Both these sweet and mouth-watering kuih are golden yellow in colour. No colouring necessary.
Z is for Zhang Toi
Born to an ethnic Chinese family in Kelantan,Malaysia, Zhang Toi immigrated to the US when he was 2o to attend the Parson School of Design. In 1990, Zhang Toi won the Mouton-Cadet Young Designers Award. On March 30,1997, the King of Malaysia presented him with his knighthood, which carried the title of Bentara Seri Kelantan. Zhang Toi is one of the most soughtafter designers in New York and clothier to celebrities that include Sharon Stone, Ivana Trump and many more.
No comments:
Post a Comment