Author - Suwasdie Che Man

Published in TTR Weekly
https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/11/spotlight-on-langkawis-heritage/

Langkawi is not shy of cultural heritage to show the world. It is well known for its myths and folklore, yet there are more to discover in Langkawi. Skills and art from the older generation are what formed the present-day glory. Sadly, not all cultural heritage is preserved due to the lack of interests from the younger generation.

Jikey - Langkawi Folk Theatre
When it comes to having a good laugh at a wedding, shows and feasts, villagers would always turn to jikey troupes. Jikey is a form of multicultural folk theatre centred around comedy, following the beats of kompang (drum), gong and cerek (bamboo stick). The upbeat and lively jikey is contagious, combining both singing as well as theatrical performance. The stage was still energetic even at the wee hours. The spectators always wanted more! Back then, villagers would go home with an aching stomach from all the laughter.

That was the golden memories from those days. Not many youngsters know about this theatre nowadays. This 200-year-old tradition is at its dawn with only one surviving troupe - Ayer Hangat Jikey Troupe led by Tok Bibon (85), Tok Chan (78) and Tok Cho (94). All of them have been playing jikey since they were kids. As the last three elders that hold the knowledge of jikey, they are now passing the art to the coming generations. They hope that this remains a form of entertainment for the community.

Watch the micro-documentary here:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=666554467606993

Pandai Kayu who made living spaces a craft
Pandai Kayu, or the wood expert, is a Malay term that describes a carpenter with great woodcraft. Pak Dun is one Pandai Kayu who has learned how to build traditional Malay stilt houses since young.

Learning from his relative and bit by bit, from sharpening chisels and saws to woodcutting, Pak Dun was diligent and slowly got the hang of it. He only got to hold a pencil and try-square - a sign that you can finally figure out the architecture of the house - after nailing all the basic skills.

Back then building houses is a community effort. Even the architecture of the houses is made for the feasts-loving villagers. The houses are roomy and with wide verandahs - all so that they can serve good food to the community in a lively gathering.

Pak Dun is passionate about the attentiveness in crafting every single wood that goes into building a house. In the olden days, houses were built using wedges and pegs only where no nails are needed. Each wood measurement must be precise, and accuracy is the key to a long-lasting house. Because of this craft, the house can be dismantled, moved and reassembled at a new location.

The traditional Malay stilt house is also facing a dead end with the younger generation preferring modern houses. This construction knowledge also finds no successor. Reviving this cultural identity of Langkawi must become a new way forward.

Watch the micro-documentary here:
https://www.facebook.com/walkaboutasia/videos/794482961293358/

This cultural heritage can become future attractions by highlighting cultural products as part of tourism. A series of micro-documentary videos now showcases various kinds of cultural experience in Langkawi through authentic storytelling.

Check out the rest of the micro-documentary below:
Pandai Kayu: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=794482961293358
Gua Pinang: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1251615048509978
Beras Terbakar: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=382355279417590
Jungle Herbs: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=630144774305039
Jungle Herbs 2: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=241419733843370
Laktud (Green algae): https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=325649078756933
Jikey (folk theatre): https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=666554467606993
Kebuk Arang: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=775606843274664
Horse Riding: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=422624789129815
Mahsuri: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=337120777516206

Contact:
About Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)
Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) was established by the federal government to plan, promote and implement development on the island of Langkawi. LADA was officially established on March 15, 1990 under the Langkawi Development Authority Act 1990 (Act 423) and placed under the authority of the Ministry of Finance.

For further details, please visit www.lada.gov.my or visit www.naturallylangkawi.my

Langkawi Development Authority, LADA
Tel : 04-9600600
Faks : 04-9661019
Email : [email protected]

Published in TTR Weekly
https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/11/seven-travel-safety-tips-for-langkawi/

1. Stay safe!
Adopt the new travel norm. While having a fun time in Langkawi, remember to practise 3W:
● Wash your hands frequently.
● Wear your mask at all times except when you’re eating or drinking.
● Warn self and others to follow guidelines such as physical distancing.

We can make travelling at this time safe but don’t let travelling keep your guard down.

2. Be careful during your road trip.
Going on a road trip is a must in Langkawi. However, you wouldn’t want to pull a fast- and-furious car stunt during a relaxing trip, don’t you? Drive slow and look out for wildlife, pedestrians and other drivers. Also, remember to keep your steering steady even when you’re enjoying the scenery.

3. Keep your belongings safe.
Langkawi is one of the safest cities in Malaysia. You can pretty much travel worry- free here. Still, be aware of your surroundings. Keep valuable close to you and never leave your belongings unattended.

4. Go cashless.
Many places in Langkawi are now open for payment without cash. Just tap your credit or debit card, and you can consider various types of e-wallets as well. Paying cashless can also reduce contact and protect you and others better, especially during this time.

5. Prepare insect repellent.
Mosquitoes and sandflies can be a bummer for your holiday, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are especially active. Spraying insect repellent from time to time will help you keep mosquitoes away.

6. Do not feed wildlife.
There is plenty of wildlife in Langkawi, but the Long-tailed macaque can get aggressive if you are feeding them and they want more food. Avoid the conflict and keep everything in your bag. On the same note, do not feed any wildlife on the island as this act will disrupt the food chain and animal behaviour.

7. Drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen.
Sunshine Langkawi welcomes you with all its warmth, including the big hot sun! Remember to hydrate all the time and get enough water during your trip. Protect your skin with sunscreen, wear a big hat, get as touristy as you can but don’t compromise your wellbeing.

Contact:
About Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)
Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) was established by the federal government to plan, promote and implement development on the island of Langkawi. LADA was officially established on March 15, 1990 under the Langkawi Development Authority Act 1990 (Act 423) and placed under the authority of the Ministry of Finance.

For further details, please visit www.lada.gov.my or visit www.naturallylangkawi.my

Langkawi Development Authority, LADA
Tel : 04-9600600
Faks : 04-9661019
Email : [email protected]

Published in TTR Weekly
https://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/06/take-a-lesson-from-the-butterfly/

Amid this unfamiliar time of pandemic, many of us are facing challenges in life that is uncertain. Our way of living has changed when we have to adapt to a “new normal”, a way of living that most of us are still figuring out and adjusting into. Normal now is about having a space to stay safe and using alternative ways to establish a human connection. We need to rethink about our health, leisure activities and work and home settings. Whether or not, this transition is comfortable, it is a move that we have to make in order to survive.

Looking at the bright side, this new normal is also about humans allowing nature to take its course and live freely. While we are on this “break”, we let the trees grow, the sea creatures to swim and the birds to fly. An insect that we could all relate to at this moment would be the majestic butterflies. Every stage of its life cycle, takes its body into a different shape and size. A fascinating phenomenon to watch as they break from their eggs into caterpillars that feed and moults up to seven times until they are ready to become their adult form. The outer skin hardens forming a protective shell for the caterpillar to develop its body and wings.

Once ready, the new butterfly will come out of its shell and spread its wings. One of the best places for butterfly watching in Malaysia is Langkawi, a place better known for its recreational and duty free attractions. Nevertheless, Langkawi is a home to more than 500 butterfly species. For those who are new to or are interested in butterfly watching, mark Gunung Raya and Telaga Tujuh on your map and plan for a trip in the near future.

Many new butterfly watchers would ask: how do you differentiate a butterfly and a moth? Generally, butterflies are active during the day while moths are active at night. The best way to identify a butterfly is with its club-like antenna that looks like a matchstick. Moths however, are heavy-bodied with antennas that are usually hairy.

Butterfly watching can be interesting if you know what to look out for. You could start off with identifying the six families of the insect. Ranging from small to large, they are Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae and Papilionidae. And if you are lucky, you’d be able to find some rare ones like the Riodinidae. These families are called the “true” butterfly families.

The Lycaenidaes are the smallest ones among the 6 families with measurements between 20mm to 35mm for each butterfly. A common name for this family is the Blues as most of them are blue in colour. You could find the Blue family members, Cycad Blue and Grass Blue fluttering by the roadsides or in gardens. The other non-Blue butterfly family are Coppers, obviously for its copper-orange wings and Common Pierrot with black and white pattern wings. That is just the very few Lycaenidaes among the 140 species documented in Langkawi.

Moving on to the Pieridae family, the medium sized Whites and Yellows. Out of 24 species, the little white butterflies flying close to ground are called Psyche. They are about 30mm to 40mm in size with all white wings. As for the Yellows, look out for the pale Tree Yellow with a dark tip on the upper side and the Banded Yellow with dark ring around the edge of its forewings. The Great Orange Tip is the largest of the Whites and Yellows family in Asia. Approximately 80mm to 100mm in size, its wings are white with bright orange tips on the forewings.

The Nymphlidae family has so many different shapes and colour wings. They are also known as the four-footed butterfly because their front pair of legs is non-functional. Common Tiger is one of the Nymphalidae that stands out for its bright orange forewings and white hindwings wrapped with dark veins. The checkerboard black and white Tree Nymph is known as surat, which means letter in Bahasa Malaysia. The nickname might have come about from the way it ‘floats’ in the air, flapping its wings slowly like a piece of paper.

The dark and mysterious Papilionade usually has black wings with markings of various colours. If you take the road up to Gunung Raya, you may spot the black and yellow Golden Birdwing flying high in the air. The Great Mormon has a soft metallic grey or blue sheen on its velvety wings. But they are pretty rare and can only be found in thick forests.

The Hesperiidae on the other hand, is known as the Skippers. The Skippers are usually small or medium sized with antennas tapered at the end. It might be a bit hard to spot a Skipper due to their fast flying style and the dull earthy coloured wings.

Let these butterflies remind us of the metamorphosis of life. We need to stay hopeful and endure this journey together, and not forget the importance of finding joy in the simplest of creatures.

Author: Dr. Hezri bin Adnan (Former CEO of LADA)

Contact:
About Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)
Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) was established by the federal government to plan, promote and implement development on the island of Langkawi. LADA was officially established on March 15, 1990 under the Langkawi Development Authority Act 1990 (Act 423) and placed under the authority of the Ministry of Finance.

For further details, please visit www.lada.gov.my or visit www.naturallylangkawi.my

Langkawi Development Authority, LADA
Tel : 04-9600600
Faks : 04-9661019
Email : [email protected]