Perlis Culture and Heritage, Malaysia

For leisure, the people of Perlis enjoy a variety of activities ranging from traditional dances to traditional games and pastimes handed down through generations. "Tarian Canggung" and "Tarian Ayam Didik" are examples of dances and equally irresistible feet stomping may still be seen today.

Museum Kota Dayang

This new museum is situated close to what was historically a fortified area (the word Kota translates as "fort" in English). The area is also the burial ground for two 16th century Sultans of Kedah. Limestone outcroppings surround the remains of a palace like sentries on eternal watch. The site is marked by two simple mausoleums with gravestones, and the remnants of timbers that demarcated the burial sites.

While the grounds were being excavated for the construction of the new museum, artifacts most likely from the late Neolithic era were found. A bell-mouthed jar of red clay, with cord-mark decorations, signifying the Ban Kao Neolithic culture of southern Thailand and Malaya, was found fairly intact.

A similar splayed food beaker and two excellent polished stone adzes, all corresponding to other similar finds in northern Malaysia, probably date to around 2,000 to 2,500 years ago.

Also found at the same site was what appeared to be a die or mould of Indian origin. Other artifacts of Indian origin have been found in the northern regions, especially pottery, and date back to about 2,200 to 2,600 years, corresponding with the findings at the museum site.