Whenever
people talk about “Cik Siti Wan Kembang”, many of us will think of
Kelantan; more
so because Kelantan is named “The State of Cik Siti Wan Kembang”.
Che Siti
Wan Kembang is the legendary queen regnant over a region in the east
coast of
Peninsular Malaysia, which is now encompassed within Kelantan state. She
is
believed to have ruled from 1548 to 1580, while other accounts state
that she
ruled in the 14th century.
Che Siti
was famous for her beauty and wisdom. According to one account by the
famous
Muslim traveller Ibn Battuta, who visited Siti Wan Kembang in 1345, he
was
enchanted by her "fair complexion" and "appearance of a Turkish
princess". In his records, he identified her as Urduga. This description
was said to fit Che Siti as she was of Arab blood and was descendant of
the royal
lineage of Champa-Kelantan-Patani. Ibn Battuta mentioned in his records
that
the queen was able to converse in fluent Turkish.
She was
also known as a warrior princess and was said to be able to enter battle
on
horseback with a sword with an army of female horse riders. It was said
that
she and her adopted daughter, Puteri Saadong had mystical powers.
Kelantanese
are very proud of their history and the deer generally symbolizes Che
Siti Wan
Kembang as it was her favourite pet. The current state emblem of
Kelantan has
two deers which represents Kelantan's rich history which can be traced
back to
the popular queen.
According
to certain historical records, Che Siti Wan Kembang was born in 1585.
Her
parents were Raja Ahmad and Cik Banun, both of royal lineages. Raja
Ahmad was
crowned Ruler of Kelantan in 1584.
However,
Raja Ahmad died in 1589, when the princess was only 4 years old.
Therefore Raja
Hussein of Johor was made Regent of Kelantan. Che Siti Wan Kembang
ascended to
the throne of Kelantan in 1610 AD upon the death of Raja Hussein. She
was said
to have resided in Gunung Chinta Wangsa, Ulu Kelantan, located
approximately 40
km from Kuala Krai.
Che Siti
never married, and therefore never had children of her own. She adopted
Puteri
Saadong as her daughter. Puteri Saadong was the princess of the ruler of
Jembal, whom Che Siti had close ties with.
Legend has
it that Che Siti never died but instead "disappeared" into the
mystical world, and reappears from time to time. After her
"disappearance", she was succeeded by her adopted daughter, Puteri
Saadong, who was the youngest daughter of Raja Jembal.
Source:
Wikipedia
An antique keris
said to be related to Jembal royal descendent
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