Curious about a place where the past and present intertwine? Let’s explore Kampung Datuk Keramat. This vibrant area in Kuala Lumpur holds stories of tin mining, sacred tombs and a unique kampung allure.
Kampung Datuk Keramat offers a glimpse into Kuala Lumpur’s rich history. It began as a village with diverse Malay communities. Javanese, Minangkabau, Boyan and Bugis people settled here in the early 1920s.
Once, Kampung Datuk Keramat was known by another name. It was called Kampung Tangga Cina. This translates to “village of the Chinese stairs”. These stairs led to Kapitan Cina Yap Ah Loy’s resting place. He played a vital role in Kuala Lumpur’s development. Indian laborers called “Tanggaci” named the village.
Later, the village became Kampung Datuk Keramat. This happened when the Kuala Lumpur Municipality became the Local Council of Kuala Lumpur. The name comes from a tomb believed to be sacred. People prayed and made offerings there. “Keramat” means sacred in Malay.
Two venerated tombs once stood in Kampung Datuk Keramat. One belonged to Haji Ali. He was a Bugis immigrant. His tomb became a Datuk Keramat. Veneration of it stopped in the 1990s. The other tomb belonged to Sheikh Taih. He was a pious Sumatran immigrant. Locals also knew him as To’ Janggut.
Kampung Datuk Keramat and Kampung Baru were officially established during British rule. It was designated as a Malay agriculture area. Kampung Datuk Keramat was a Malay Reserved Land. In 1955, the area was 170 acres. It had about 639 housing units.
Today, Kampung Datuk Keramat retains its kampung charm. Many homes are wooden. Some residents still use bicycles or motorcycles. You can find some of the best traditional Malay dishes here. These dishes are unique to states like Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
Pasar Datuk Keramat is a popular market. Here, you can find reasonably priced food and fruits. Sweet and savory Malay delights tempt visitors. Think tepung pelita, cucur badak and kuih lapis.
The Dato’ Keramat LRT station makes it easy to reach Kampung Datuk Keramat. From there, buses connect to other parts of the city.
Kampung Datuk Keramat also has several schools. These include Sekolah Kebangsaan Datuk Keramat. SMK Seri Ampang is another school nearby.
Several notable people have called Kampung Datuk Keramat home. These include Razip Ismail, Dato Yusoff Haslam and KRU. Awie, Roslan Aziz and Norliah Ghani also lived here.
Kampung Datuk Keramat is more than just a place. It’s a living testament to Kuala Lumpur’s past. It’s a place where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Take a moment to appreciate the unique charm of Kampung Datuk Keramat.