"The building has a sweeping, traditional Minangkabau-style roof and a main entrance flanked by two large murals of Italian glass mosaic that portray the country’s major historical events and cultural activities."
The National Museum (Muzium
Negara) is the most principal museum of Malaysia. It has a large central main entrance hall that is flanked by two
exhibition wings. In those wings (upstairs and downstairs) are: a Historical Gallery, a Metalwork and Musical Instruments Gallery, a
Cultural Gallery, a National Sports Gallery and a Natural History
Gallery.
The Historical
Gallery traces the different periods in the history of
Peninsular Malaysia.
The Cultural Gallery is a collection of various aspects of the
Malaysian culture, from common everyday pastimes to important
ceremonial customs. Included in the exhibitions are a Malay
wedding scene, a royal circumcision ceremony, and an
presentation on the heritage of the Straits-born Chinese.
The Metalwork and Musical Instruments Gallery showcases various
objects and utensils from kitchenware and ceremonial ornaments
to weapons and traditional instruments of Malaysian music.
The museum was set up in 1963 to serve as a repository of
Malaysia's rich cultural heritage and as the centre for
imparting knowledge on the country's historical past.
Thematic exhibitions are held from time to time.
On the museum's grounds are
static displays including old locomotives, vintage cars and a
replica of an ancient Malay palace.
The ethnographic and archaeological exhibitions include
life-size dioramas depicting various aspects of traditional
Malaysian life.
Shadow play (Wayang kulit) displays reflect the ancient artistry
of the nation, while exhibits of traditional weapons such as
daggers (kris) and machetes (parangs) reveal the Malaysian pride
in functional aesthetic forms.
Apart from the permanent exhibitions, the museum also holds
regular thematic exhibitions, most notably its Treasures from
the Graves, Enduring Beauty and World of Ghosts exhibits that
drawn large crowd of curious visitors.
The museum's origins date back to 1888, although the present
facility was built in 1963.
The museum is located on the fringe of Taman Tasik Perdana (the
Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens).
Visiting hours are from 9am-6pm daily.
Address:
Jalan Damansara
Telephone: (0)3 2282 6255
E-mail: info@museum.gov.my
Transport: Bangsar LRT station or bus to Jalan Travers
Opening Time: Daily 9am to 6pm