Lukut Fortress and the Muzeum

I have been living in Port Dickson for almost a year. Every time I passed Lukut, I saw the brown signboard indicating Kota and Muzeum Lukut and wanted to go and see for myself. Idon't want to postpone going there anymore and decided to take a drive there. So on Friday afternoon, after meeting Ung to look at my laptop to reformat it, I drove there. It's just about 8 km from my apartment.

The place is very well-kept and attractive. From far I was intimidated by the endless flight of steps up the hill where the fortress was supposed to be. I debated whether to climb up or just go and see the muzeum. I haven't been exercisong seriously for a while and I thought the climb is a good way to loosen my stiff muscles. So, slowly I climbed up the steps at leisurely pace while enjoying the beautiful view of Port Dickson from the hill.

The poison well at Lukut Fortress.

The trench around the fortress.

The old remains of the fortress.

Makam DiRaja built by Raja Jumaat Bin Raja Jaafar in 1855. It's along Lukut road.

The burial ground of the royal family including Raja Jumaat Raja Jaafar - Makam DiRaja at the Muslim burial ground in Lukut road, near Port Dickson.

The fortress was built by Raja Jumaat bin Raja Jaafar in 1847 on Bukit Gajah Mati or popularly known as Bukit Raja. It was rectangular in shape with 200 meters long and 170 meters wide, surrounde by 3-5 meters deep trench to keep off enemies. Raja Jumaat put 4 cannons from Melaka from the Dutch and put them at the wall of the fortress. The fortress was a proof that Malay power existed here. However, there were very little remains of the fortress now except a few historical marks such the poison well, the brick walls and the trenches.

But the hill is so tranquil with lots of chirping birds. Birdwatchers would love this place. The scenery from the top was fantastic and the area is clean, green and serene. It's a nice place to relax, read books or just do nothing. I hope visitors will help to keep this place clean by not throwing rubbish everywhere except in the rubbish bins provided.

The Lukut Muzeum







The gallery of the muzeum is under renovation. The National Muzeum is going to put in more exhibits. So I went upstairs to see what they have up there. It's interesting to read the histoey of how Negri Sembilan was formed. It's the only state in Malaysia using a digit for its name - Sembilan /Nine. The people who lived here long time ago was from Minagkabau, western Sumatra. Originally there were 9 districts ie Jelebu, Sg.Ujong, Rembau, Johol,Naning, Segamat, Ulu Pahang, Jelai and Kelang. There are only 4 districts now, the others have gone to Selangor and Pahang, the districts are Rembau, Jelebu, Johol and Sungai Ujong which are ruled by the Undangs.

Pagar Ruyung in Sumatra was a place where th Undangs looked for a ruler and Raja Mahmud or Raja Melewar, in 1773 came to settle in Sri Menanti and became the Yam Tuan Sri Menanti who eventually became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. So, Sri Menanti is known as the Royal Town.

Negeri Sembilan is unigue in its culture and tradition. The only state in Malaysia practices matrilineal system of inheritance which is called Adat Perpatih. The women are the heads of the families. They also have adistinct dialect originated from Minangkabau. In earlier time, they have 12 clans or suku. Since both my parents came from Adat Perpatih system, which I don't practice, they belonged to their clans. As I remember, my father's clan was Suku Tiga Nenek and my mother's was Suku Anak Acheh. All my family members have lost this culture even though as the oldest girl in my mother's side, I have the biggest say. Since I don't understand the system and have not been practicing it, I just let it go. It would be nice to trace my ancestors but there wasn't any written record.

If you visit Port Dickson, do not forget to visit this place as I can tell you, you will not be disappointed.