I suppose there is a balance in this world - you know, the ying and yang stuff. While there are people in Terengganu bent on obliterating whatever heritage the state has, there are people who are working hard to preserve our heritage. This upcoming book is a good example. The blurb on the cover says it all: "Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage is a celebration of Terengganu's historical, cultural, culinary and natural heritage, and the harmonious multiculturism that is woven into its social fabric. From cover to cover, Terengganu history and life as seen through the eyes of its people unfold - beautifully illustrated throughout with images painstakingly photographed over two years, that are at once familiar and at times surprising. Originally conceived from the love for Terengganu food, this significant and comprehensive volume documents almost eighty recipes inherited through generations and in danger of passing into oblivion, which parallels the fate of our historical, cultural and natural heritage. Although much has been lost, a lot remains to be saved and captured though there is precious little time to waste. More than a timely wakeup call, Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage will evocatively stir the passions of Terengganuans, Malaysians and all readers who now contemplate the importance and fate of their heritage."
This not a cookbook per se. The recipes are part of the story as in these pages featuring our beloved Awang Goneng who mentioned beluda. As mentioned before, the book is beautifully illustrated. This is an example of the chapter page spread. You will get stunning photographs of Terengganu like this one of the coconuts in Penarek. The book is a labour of love from To' Puan Rozita Abdullah and her team (which includes our lost blogger T. Dina Zaman). The launch is slated in October. Watch out for the announcement.
Technical Specifications: Size: 315mm x 295mm x 30 mm Number of pages: 252+ Endpapers+Hard Cover+ Dust jacket Printing: Full colour throughout with all pictures gloss varnished Material: High quality enviromentally-friendly acid-free paper
Price of the book will be announced later but do not let that stop you from reserving a copy or two. Email me.
Last Thursday, while nibbling on Club Sandwiches at Renaissance's The Vogue, Mat Som told those present (Bloggers: Awang Goneng, Kak Teh, Puteri Kamaliah. Non-Bloggers: Pak Abu, Shamsuddin Jaafar, Kol. (B) Shafieq Ismail) that bloggers should be agitators for change. Although I personally think that bloggers should just highlight things like a highlighter and leave the opinion-making to the reader, there are times when agitation is necessary. Take the case of the rows of pre-war buildings in Kuala Terengganu that the state government wanted to demolish. Read the blog here.
Apparently, the buildings were acquired by Lembaga Tabung Warisan Negeri Terengganu and the shopkeepers paid rent to carry on doing business in the building. To me, "warisan" means heritage. Things you pass on, intact, from generations to generations. I would like to believe that Lembaga Tabung Warisan Negeri Terengganu bought the old buildings to preserve them as heritage for the Terengganu people, present and future. Even after demolishing historical buildings like Mesjid Bukit Besar and Mesjid Chendering, it is still not too late for the state government to think about conservation. There are intrinsic values in old buildings which will never be replicated in vulgar modern malls.
I am not against progress if it means improving the life of Terengganu people. After all, that is what the government is for. Progress does not mean obliterating historical landmarks. Learn to work around these irreplaceable buildings. If other capitals in the world can do that, why can't Terengganu?
Awang Goneng and Kak Teh came back to Malaysia a few weeks ago. There was no sequel to GUIT so Awang Goneng was not rushing from one book-signing session to another this time around.
I managed to see the lovely couple twice so far. Once at a wonderful dinner hosted by Puteri Kamaliah & Pak Abu at Lake Club and the second time at lunch in Amcorp Mall. Tomorrow, Som is giving Awang Goneng & Kak Teh tea at Renaissance, KL. I hope I can get there.
Last year, when AG and KT came back, Atok (a blogger friend in Reading, England) missed AG so much that he posted a poem on Youtube. I just discovered it today while trolling for Sajak Terengganu that Ibrahim (Baliklah Wok, Aku Orang Ulu etc) told me were posted on Youtube. Here's Atok's sajak:
The blurb on the cover says it all:
As mentioned before, the book is beautifully illustrated. This is an example of the chapter page spread.
You will get stunning photographs of Terengganu like this one of the coconuts in Penarek.
