TAMADUN AWAL MALAYSIA

LEMBAH BUJANG

• Keluasannya sekitar 400 kilometer persegi
• meliputi kawasan tanah tinggi seperti Gunung Jerai, Bukit Choras dan Bukit Batu Pahat
• Nama Lembah bujang berasal daripada Bhujangga yang bermaksud ULAR dan Phujangga yang bermaksud CERDIK PANDAI
• mewarisi tinggalan seperti tembikar tanah, tembikat China, kaca, manik, patung agama Hindu dan Buddha, bahan binaan...

Bujang Valley stretches all the way from Gunung Jerai in the North to Sungai Muda in the South. The area concentrated around the mouth of Sungai(River) Muda has been of economic importance to Kedah since as early as the 5th Century AD. Buddhist inscriptions found in the valley were proof that the Indian traders were already making frequent visits to the area during these early periods. However 2 centuries before, Malay mariners were already making long-distance voyages across the Bay of Bengal, trading rainforest produce in return for metals, textiles and other rarities much sought after in their homelands as status symbols. By the 7th century, trade with the Indians, Arabs and Chinese merchants in the Straits of Melaka had increased tremendously and the Bujang Valley evolved into an entrepôt. The early mariners were totally reliant on the monsoon seasons, which also was dictated by the wind patterns. Therefore, it was impossible to make a voyage from China to India in one season. The traders had to wait out for the wind change in safe harbours such as at Bujang Valley.

With the influx of foreigners and locals alike, places of worship mushroomed - located up in the higher grounds. Kedah's cultural development during this era was strongly influenced by the people from various cultural origins namely a mixture of Indian, Sri Vijayan and Khmer. The valley became an archaeological paradise after the discovery of the candi in the area in the 1840's. Candi came from the word "Chandika' - the name of Lord Siva's wife. She was also known as Durga - the deity of death. The candi, in retrospect has two functions. One; it is a sacred place to pay respect to the deceased members of the royal families. Two;it is a place to conduct religious activities. The candi structure can be divided into 3 sections.

Upapitha	The foot of the candi
Adhistana-Stamba	The body of the candi
Prastara-Stupi	The roof of the candi

http://www.gtitec.com.my/museums/bujang.htp