Bunga Emas, Kelantan Sultanate Treasured Heritage, Now On Display At Istana Balai Besar

KOTA BHARU, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- The Bunga Emas Kelantan (Gold Flowers), a symbol of the state’s rich historical traditions, is now on public display for the first time.

This treasured artefact is the centerpiece of the Kelantan Textile and Malay Heritage Festival held at Istana Balai Besar, which runs from today until Sept 14, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the state’s proud heritage up close.

Protocol officer of the Office of the Sultan of Kelantan, Mohamed Safaruddin Ismail, said the high-value artefact is expected to draw significant attention, as it has never before been revealed to the public.

He added that the two-week festival, which offers free admission, aims not only to showcase the uniqueness of the state’s heritage, but also to revive historical values and cultural pride that are increasingly overlooked, especially among younger generations.

“Visitors to this festival are fortunate to witness the original Bunga Emas Kelantan, a treasured heritage of the Kelantan sultanate. This is the first time it has been publicly displayed,” he said.

“Apart from the Bunga Emas, the festival also features the Kelantan Royal Boat, the Petala Indera Sri Kelantan, which was built in 1899 and once used by Sultan Muhammad IV. The exhibition is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm,” he told Bernama today.

Mohamed Safaruddin, who is also the festival coordinator, added that the event includes a variety of activities, exhibitions, and demonstrations, including traditional performances.

The festival features a collection of traditional textiles such as tenun, songket, kain pelangi, kain pelepuk, and others used in the past. In addition, we are showcasing keris from Kelantan’s Malay heritage, as well as Malay heritage items from across the archipelago.

Copper products are also on display, alongside demonstrations including quail trap making, jewellery carving, and the creation of kain kelingkan, kain pelepuk, and songket weaving,’ he said, adding that the festival aims to attract more than 35,000 visitors.

This is the second time the festival is being held. Last year, it focused on the keris and Kelantan’s weapon heritage.

He called on the public to attend and support the festival, noting that it not only offers a unique opportunity to view heritage items up close, but also allows visitors to enter the Istana Balai Besar, which is normally restricted except during special events like this.

-- BERNAMA