Coordinates: 3°8′15.77″N 101°41′13.99″E / 3.1377139°N 101.6872194°E
| Muzium Negara National Museum |
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|---|---|
 The exterior of Muzium Negara |
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| Established | 1963 |
| Location | Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Type | National museum |
| Public transit access | Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (KTM Komuter) |
| Website | www.muziumnegara.gov.my |
Muzium Negara (Malay for National Museum) is a museum located on Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a palatial structure built in the style of Rumah Gadang, an aspect of Minangkabau architecture. Muzium Negara is situated in close proximity to the Perdana Lake Gardens and the museum provides an overview of Malaysian history and culture. Muzium Negara's facade comprises elements of traditional Malay and modern style. Muzium Negara was opened on 31 August 1963, is a repository of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Muzium Negara is a three storied structure of 109.7 meters long and 15.1 meters wide and 37.6 meters at the central point. The museum houses four main galleries specialising in ethnology and natural history. The displays range from free-standing tableaux showing traditional cultural events like weddings, festivals and beautiful costumes; to the rich variety of weapons, musical instruments, arts and crafts, precious ceramics, and flora & fauna.
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History
It was the site of the former Selangor Museum. It was built by the British and Selangor governments in 1898 following the formation of Federated Malay States in 1896. Sadly, during end of World War II, the right wing of museum was suddenly bombed and destroyed by the US B29 bomber, from the Allied Forces in 10 March 1945.
After the Second World War, the left wing of Selangor Museum was still in use as a historical site. After Federation of Malaya achieved its independence on 31 August 1957, the federal government decided to build the national museum at the old site of Selangor Museum. Construction began in 1959 and completed in 1963. Muzium Negara was officially opened on August 31, 1963.
Interior
Displays and exhibits in the museum focus on local history, culture and traditions, arts and crafts, economic activities, local flora and fauna, weapons and currency.
The museum houses various galleries, each with its own theme. The ground floor showcases the geographic and natural history of the Malay peninsula starting with the stone, bronze and Iron Age. The proto-Malay states of Ganga Negara and Majapahit are touched upon, as well as the later Muslim Sultanate of Malacca and the various states of Malaysia. The second floor is dedicated to the colonial history leading all the way to Independence. Exhibited are copies of the royal headgear of Malay rulers.
Central Hall
Adorning the floor of the Central Hall are blue geometric-design mosaic tiles from Pakistan, with intricate carved panels on the ceiling of the hall. The Central Hall houses temporary exhibitions. The matic and special exhibitions are held at this hall at intervals to promote an awareness of the country’s diverse culture and heritage. Exhibitions of international flavours are held occasionally. Some of the exhibitions been held at this hall included ‘The Islamic Civilization’, ‘Our King’, ‘The World of Flowers’, ‘Durian King of Fruits’, ‘Masks from Sarawak’, ‘World Currency’, ‘Islamic Frontiers of China’, ‘American Frontiers’, and ‘Religious Architecture from the Netherlands‘.
Grounds
Other galleries include the National Sports Gallery and the Natural History Gallery.
In the vicinity of the museum building, there are a number of outdoor displays of transportation in Malaysia, past and present. An interesting exhibit is the Melaka Bullock Cart which closely resembles the early American horse-drawn wagon. Of unparalleled interest are the Steam Locomotive made by Kitson & Co, England, which was put into service in 1921 until it ceased operation in 1969. It covered 1.5 million rail miles; a Tin Dredge which resembles a floating factory, on a natural or artificial lake. A major achievement of Malaysia is the manufacture of the first national car – the Proton Saga 1.3 litre, on 18 April 1985.
Muzium Negara also holds regular thematic exhibitions featuring specific aspects of life and culture from all over the world.
Istana Satu
Another attraction of the Museum is an original-size old Terengganu timber palace known as Istana Satu. It was erected by Sultan Zainal Abidin III, Sultan of Terengganu in 1884 in the compound of Kota Istana Maziah, Kuala Terengganu. This building is of Terengganu Malay traditional architecture, in the form called "Rumah Tiang Dua Belas". The wood used is cengal. Istana Satu was erected in the Muzium Negara compound in April 1974.
Rich Malay craftsmanship is evident throughout the palace, from the intricate wood carvings that adorn doors and windows. The restored palace is a charming wooden house designed for the tropics. Standing on stilts that allow air to circulate freely under the building, the palace’s steep thatch roof contributes further to keeping the interior of the house nice and cool.
Standing majestically next to the Istana Satu are two keliriengs or burial poles. A kelirieng is made of a huge hardwood tree trunk, carved from the top to bottom. Niched up to its sides is a space for the bodies of slaves and followers and hollowed at the top to place the jar containing the chief’s bones.
Directors
The founding Director of the National Museum of Malaysia was the late Tuan Hj Mobin Shephard Abdullah. He was in the services of the British government in Malaya and held various posts as the custodian of official records and Keeper of the Rulers Seal. He had an intimate knowledge of the Malay and Muslim Culture.
When Mobin Shephard retired in 1974, he recommended that Shahrum bin Yub be appointed as the second Director General. Shahrum was one of the early "Village Malay" to pursue his studies overseas. He specialised in Malay Culture, History and Anthropology. He joined the Museums Department in the early 1970s and was tutored by Mobin.
Museum Volunteer Malaysia (MVM)
In 2007 a group of cultural and history enthusiast formed a volunteer group of museum tour guides to accommodate the growing number of foreign visitors to the museum. Inspired by "Friends of Museum" programs in Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore, and with the support of the Department of National Museum, the group now grows from less than 20 members to almost a 100 strong volunteers of many nationalities. The initial introduction of the group was to help visitors from foreign countries by giving them tours in English or French but on the same year, another group was established especially for Malaysian on the weekends. Now, the MVM is a proud not-profit, volunteer organization with membership of Malaysian, British, French, German, Japanese, Swiss, Swedish, Spanish, Italian and more. English, Japanese and French tour are available on weekdays while Malay and English tour are on weekends but the group also accommodate special tours upon request.
Apart from tour-guiding, MVM is active in promoting Malaysian cultural and historical heritage in schools' program and organizing tours for members to places around Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. Recently the group paid a visit to Kuala Kangsar and Georgetown, Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Royal Selangor in Setapak and celebrating the Hari Moyang in the Hma' Meri Orang Asli village in Pulau Carey. The group also organized talks and classes for the members and the public to safe-guard as well as introducing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country.
In 2009, with the collaboration of Muzium Negara, MVM organized the "Jom Main" Exhibition, re-visiting traditional games that children in Malaysia used to play.
References
- Lenzi, Iola (2004). Museums of Southeast Asia. Singapore: Archipelago Press. p. 200 pages. ISBN 981-4068-96-9.
- Harris, Mark (1990). National Museum, Kuala Lumpur: History and culture of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Syarikat S. Abdul Majeed, Pub. Division. p. 88 pages. ISBN 978-9839629156.
- Muzium Negara (1988). Gold jewellery and ornaments: In the collection of Muzium Negara, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Persatuan Muzium Malaysia. p. 243 pages. ISBN 978-9839579000.
- Haji Ali, Mohamed Kassim (1988). Masks of Sarawak in the collection of Muzium Negara Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Museums Association of Malaysia. p. 111 pages. ASIN B0006EHZ58.
- bin Mohd. Yatim, Othman (1981). Chinese Islamic wares in the collection of Muzium Negara (Series on the ceramics collection of Muzium Negara). Kuala Lumpur: Muzium Negara. p. 99 pages. ASIN B0006E7THM.
External links
Media related to National Museum (Malaysia) at Wikimedia Commons- Official Site (English) and (Malay)
- Malaysian Property Partners - The Malaysian National Museum
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