Terengganu is located at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. To the north there lies the Kelantan state, then neigbouring with Pahang at the south.
History of Terengganu began long before the establishment of Melaka sultanate. The archaeological evidences found in Bewah Cave in Kenyir Lake proven that this state has already been resided since 4,000 B.C. However, the Sultanate of Terengganu began only in 1724 with Sultan Zainal Abidin as the first sultan for this state.
During the early sultanate period, although Siam claimed that Terengganu was part of its dominion resulted from the Bunga Emas and Bunga Perak sent by the latter in every 3 years, it was said that the gift was actually a present of courtesy and token of friendship but not tributes as to prevent the interference of British in the state’s administration. Siam handed over Terengganu to British in 1909 after signing the Bangkok Agreement but this was rejected by Terengganu. Another agreement was then signed between Terengganu and British in 1910 and thereafter Terengganu officially recognized the appointment of a British Representative with the condition the British agent was not empowered to interfere in the administration of the state. The British who was not satisfy with their status continued to look for ways to get involve in the internal affairs of the state. In 1919, their attempt finally succeeded. Another agreement was signed between British and Sultan Muhammad. Terengganu officially accepted a British advisor, seek and follow his counsels in all administrative matters except religion issues.
Nevertheless, the involvement of British had brought to resistance from the people. The patriotic awareness had spread among the state and led to the establishment of Association of Young Malays (Kesatuan Melayu Muda, KMM) in 1937. A series of campaigns was held by KMM during 1940-1941. In 1942 when the Japanese took the control of Peninsular Malaysia, KMM was dissolved and Terengganu was under the administration of Japanese Army until 1943 when the governance authority was transferred to the Thai Army. Thai administration remained in Terengganu until Japan conceded defeat to the alliance in August 1945, then it was again back to the hand of British until the Federation of Malaya achieved her independence on 31 August 1957.
Culture and Religion
Due to its history background and geographical location, Terengganu receives cultural influences from the neighbor in the north: Kelantan and Thailand. Though it is conservative Muslim state, the general public is still enjoying the freedom of worship. However, beer or alcohol is not widely available in certain places especially Malay own shops. Always remember that while n Rome, do as the Romans do.
Historical Batik Terengganu
Batik is a delicate art, which requires patience and skills. It means 'Printing Out With Wax'. Batik Malaysia is different from the Indonesian or Thai batik in design and motif, especially handprint method. This colou
red and patterned cloth is now becoming popular in Malaysia and the best Malaysian batiks come from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. There are two types of batik, the hand drawn and the stamped. Recently there are also machine printed batik which design is clearer and colour on one side only.Producing batik is a unique process of wax blocking, then dyeing, drying and boiling of clothing materials through a repetitive process, done by hand, it demands skilled craftsmanship and constant quality control. "NO TWO PIECES ARE EXACTLY ALIKE"! 
Hand drawn batik uses a small copper cup and fountain pen like ‘Canting’ with melted wax to draw across the length and breadth of the cloth. Dyeing process is like filling colour on the drawing block, only different is the outline is wax instead of pen. The waxed areas resist dye. The cloth will then sent to ‘boil’ in warm water in order to get rid of the wax after it is soaked in chemical that makes the colour stay.
Stamped batik has the similar process like hand drawn batik, only different is the Canting will be replaced by a copper or sometimes a wooden stamp which looks like a domestic iron with artistically patterned b
ottom.
Today batik is not only used for outfits but some innovative commercial individual has made full use of this beautiful and artistic textile into making bags, cushion covers, curtains, slippers etc.
A block of the desired design is first made from soldered strips of tin. For multicolored designs, there can be as many as four of more block in a set, one for each colour and shape. A metal block is dipped into molten wax and then impressed onto a white
piece of cloth which is laid over a mattress composed of layered banana palm trunks (Wax is applied to protect previous colorations). The cloth is then dyed with a desired colour and boiled to remove the wax. The waxed portion of the material remains white (or its base colour), the cloth is then dried.
A series of waxing, dyeing and drying is repeated for the application of all the required colours. Crumpling the waxed material before dyeing brings about crackling effects.
Souvenir is just another attraction to the tourist, with some good looking souvenir will sure make the holiday more memorable. We understand this philosophy and started to create our souvenir center - Batik Gallery together with the Marang Inn.
We create our own designs, which demand skill craftsmanship and constant quality control, all ready made products are made by professional tailors, the batik clothes are sold by made to measure items likes the Sarong, Shirts, Duvets, Bed Sheet, Table Clothes etc. To be able to sustain in the market we emphasize on quality with reasonable price, which make us still the pioneer in this market. Today the gallery is able to be on its own and with many other souvenirs item like T -shirts, wood carving items and many more for the tourist to purchase as mementos during their holiday here.
- Batik Sarong, dresses, blouse, dungaree, jumpsuit, vest, bathrobe, short pants, long pants, shirt (kemeja), tablecloths, skirt, children wear, jumpsuit and etc.
- Batik bag, handkerchief, scrunches, hat, cap, slipper, glove, letter holder, scarf.
- Silk and Rayon.
- Seashell product.
- Wooden craft (wind chime, pencil holder, letter holder, pencil, key ring, door stopper, earring, photo frame, decorative set, mobile, magnet, wayang kulit (shadow play puppet), hanger, letter opener, book mark, salad spoon, chopstick, wall pocket, napkin holder.
- T-shirt (with picture of island, marine life, batik.
- Post card and Handmade card.
- Mengkuang Leave and Rattan weaving product (basket, mat, bag, box, purse.
- Bamboo Chime.
- Shell Opal necklace, bracelet, earring.
