Located between the state of Selangor and Malacca on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan is less well-known than its neighbors. However that may be the case a decade ago. Now Negeri Sembilan is one of the choice destination which have equally fascinating places and of course the uniqueness of cultural heritage. The name Negeri Sembilan means nine states in Malay which from the early years of its establishment revealed a form simple coalition. Negeri Sembilan which before the formation of the state-there are nine districts ruled individually by the local chieftain.
The first coalition were formed in the late 18th Century, where process of full integration was only realized when the British arrived to form a new state of Negeri Sembilan.
Negeri Sembilan the land formation ranged from undulating hilly in the interior the north-eastern part, especially in the district of Jelebu and Kuala Pilah. Flat and undulating along the coastal area of Seremban,Tampin and Port Dickson. The fertile plain fringed by several top beaches on the west coast.
The history of Negeri Sembilan said to begin during the early years of the Melaka Sultanate. However, some historian noted the history start of much earlier than that and shrouded in mystery. These are still evident until today in the form of stone megaliths found in many part of the state. Where the early settlers prayed for piety and protection from the spirit of the stone which are also known as batu hidup or the living stone. Where most of the people at the time turned them into a shrines. However nowadays especially after the arrival of Islam, the stones are merely marked or just a tombstone of their fore fathers or the likes of warriors tomb from the different clan.
Megalithic Sites of Kuala Pilah.
Megalithic the word came from "Greek" which means mega - big,gigantic and enormous in size whilst "lithos" is stone or rock. Thus defined as a big stone placed on the land as a single standing big stone or may also comes in pair. The megalithic stone are found in many locations within the state of Negeri Sembilan. Megalithic stone indicate traces of early settlement and also as the landmark where development of human settlement took place. However the megalithic may also be used as the place of worship for the spirit of their ancestors or place in offering prayers to animistic beliefs. Megalithic stone may also be used as a tombstone for the grave of the early community at that time. The megalithic being a symbol of worship for spirit of good harvest and peace within the early settlement.
Where at that time, Islam was the early stage of conversion amongst the settlers and agriculture is the main form of activity for economic gain. Worshiping those related beliefs of ancestral heritage where spiritual belief intertwine with the developing custom and traditions.
Megalithic stones are also believe as the gathering place for the community to socialize and perform the traditional rites, worshiping the spirit for protection of the early community and good harvest.
Megalithic stones are found in many localities in Negeri Sembilan, such areas where these megalithic stones exist are in Pengkalan Kempas near the Linggi River, various kampong or rural villages along the road from Seremban to Kuala Pilah -Kampong Terachi,Kampong Mampas, Lembah Terachi, Kampong Tg Ipoh, Kampong Parit Tengah, Kampong Padang Lebar,Kampong Talang, Kampong Pulau Sebang in Tampin district and many more other places in the state of Negeri Sembilan.
Most of the locations where these megalithic stones are found now come under the jurisdiction of the state museum and antiquity department. Some are undergoing restoration and upkeep by the relevant authorities.
The most notable of all this megalithic stone is located in Pengkalan Kempas a small village located near Linggi Town, a border place within the district of Port Dickson en route to Melaka.
In Pengkalan Kempas there are three carved granite monoliths, which resembles the shapes of a spoon, sword and rudder.These are the only stones which are carved which further at to the mystery of its existence. Thought to be dated from 2nd or 3rd century, which however have some form of relations to the tomb of Sheikh Ahmad Majnun an exemplary Islamic trader and missionary.
The grave of Sheikh Ahmad, depicted on the tombstone dating 1467 -1468, however the inscription seem to confuse with almost everything surrounding of its existence. Where on part of the inscriptions calls the Sheikh as an holy man, The other part condemned him as a traitor.
The Sheikh known to be an Islam missionary , during the reigned of Sultan Mansor Shah the Sultan of Melaka. Some form of misunderstanding with Sultan of Melaka may led to the killing of the Sheikh. The Sheikh died due to a skirmish with the Sultan army.
Back to the megalithic stones,
they’re more than 600 hundred years old and maybe of Hindu origin. No one really knows the function of these megaliths or, as the locals call them, “Living Stones” or “Batu Hidup”. They’re quite mysterious and appear quite powerful.
Negeri Sembilan the land formation ranged from undulating hilly in the interior the north-eastern part, especially in the district of Jelebu and Kuala Pilah. Flat and undulating along the coastal area of Seremban,Tampin and Port Dickson. The fertile plain fringed by several top beaches on the west coast.
The history of Negeri Sembilan said to begin during the early years of the Melaka Sultanate. However, some historian noted the history start of much earlier than that and shrouded in mystery. These are still evident until today in the form of stone megaliths found in many part of the state. Where the early settlers prayed for piety and protection from the spirit of the stone which are also known as batu hidup or the living stone. Where most of the people at the time turned them into a shrines. However nowadays especially after the arrival of Islam, the stones are merely marked or just a tombstone of their fore fathers or the likes of warriors tomb from the different clan.
Megalithic Sites of Kuala Pilah.
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| Megalithic stones of Kampong Gunung Pasir, Kuala Pilaj |
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| Megalithic stones of Kampong Pulau Terachi in Kuala Pilah |
Megalithic stones are also believe as the gathering place for the community to socialize and perform the traditional rites, worshiping the spirit for protection of the early community and good harvest.
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| Pengkalan Kempas Monument |
Most of the locations where these megalithic stones are found now come under the jurisdiction of the state museum and antiquity department. Some are undergoing restoration and upkeep by the relevant authorities.
 |
| The graveyard of Sheikh Ahmad Majnun |
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| The Spoon,Rudder and Sword. |
The grave of Sheikh Ahmad, depicted on the tombstone dating 1467 -1468, however the inscription seem to confuse with almost everything surrounding of its existence. Where on part of the inscriptions calls the Sheikh as an holy man, The other part condemned him as a traitor.
The Sheikh known to be an Islam missionary , during the reigned of Sultan Mansor Shah the Sultan of Melaka. Some form of misunderstanding with Sultan of Melaka may led to the killing of the Sheikh. The Sheikh died due to a skirmish with the Sultan army.
Back to the megalithic stones,
they’re more than 600 hundred years old and maybe of Hindu origin. No one really knows the function of these megaliths or, as the locals call them, “Living Stones” or “Batu Hidup”. They’re quite mysterious and appear quite powerful.
An Ancient Lie Detector Test
Here also in Pengkalan Kempas historical complex an ancient lie detector is located.
Where you’ll find the Ordeal Stone. Here’s how it works. If you put your arm into the hole in the centre of the stone and then tell a lie, the hole will tighten painfully around your arm. I was there a few months back and am afraid to report that I didn’t dare find out if this ancient lie detector test really works.
Where you’ll find the Ordeal Stone. Here’s how it works. If you put your arm into the hole in the centre of the stone and then tell a lie, the hole will tighten painfully around your arm. I was there a few months back and am afraid to report that I didn’t dare find out if this ancient lie detector test really works.
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