Terengganu (formerly spelled
Trengganu or
Tringganu) is a
sultanate and
constitutive state of federal
Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific,
Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith"). The coastal city of
Kuala Terengganu which stands at the mouth of the broad
Terengganu River is both the state and royal capital as well as the largest city in Terengganu.
Etymology
There are several theories on the origin of the name 'Terengganu'. One theory attributes the name's origin to
terang ganu,
Malay for 'bright
rainbow'. Another story, said to have been originally narrated by the ninth
Sultan of Terengganu, Baginda Omar, tells of a party of
hunters from
Pahang roving and hunting in the area of what is now southern Terengganu. One of the hunters spotted a big
animal fang
lying on the ground. A fellow party member asked to which animal did
the fang belong. The hunter, not knowing which animal, simply answered
taring anu
(Malay: 'fang of something'). The party later returned to Pahang with a
rich hoard of game, fur and sandalwood, which impressed their
neighbors. They asked the hunters where did they source their riches, to
which they replied, from the land of
taring anu, which later evolved into Terengganu. Terengganu was called
Trangkanu by the Siamese when it was under their influence.
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