CENTURIES-OLD KERIS TOK CHU, SAMPIR KUSERIWA DECLARED KELANTAN HERITAGE

KOTA BHARU, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Keris Tok Chu, believed to be nearly 200 years old, and the ‘Sampir Kuseriwa’, have been officially declared Kelantan heritage today.

The declaration was made by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, during the opening ceremony of the ‘Festival Keris dan Warisan Kelantan’ (Kelantan Keris and Heritage Festival), at the Istana Balai Besar.

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra also toured the keris exhibition and observed the ‘melanggir keris’ ritual, which involves the traditional process of cleaning the keris.

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Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud was also present at the event.

The festival, held for the first time in the state as part of Visit Kelantan Year 2024, showcased approximately 500 keris and other traditional Malay weapons.

Meanwhile, the state Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor said that the state government will register the copyright of the keris with the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO), and officially gazette it as Kelantan heritage at the National Heritage Department, soon.

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“We understand that the Keris Tok Chu was crafted in Kampung Laut, Tumpat, by a renowned keris-maker known as ‘Tok Chu’ more than a century ago, while the Sampir Kuseriwa was created by a royal ‘empu’ (artisan specialising in keris-making),” he explained.

“We will ensure that comprehensive documentation is prepared for this keris before it is officially registered. This recognition is significant for our efforts to elevate the status of Malay arts and heritage in the state,” he added.

Kamaruddin also mentioned that, since its opening on July 14, the festival has attracted over 10,000 visitors, from both within and outside the state.

-- BERNAMA