Kelantan is one of the few Malay States which is still rich in traditional culture.
This is due to the wisdom of the rulers and state leaders who for generations past have taken an active interest in Malay entertainments and crafts and through their patronage and encouragement have ensured that a wealth of traditions and customs have been preserved in their original form.

It has been the practice for rulers of Kelantan to mix freely with their subjects; in which the entertainments which were regularly rehearsed in the palace for the amusement of the ruler and his household were witnessed by the general public whenever the ruler celebrated a wedding or some other occasion for rejoicing.

These entertainments gradually appeared outside the palace, when a village wished to celebrate a good harvest or a group of fishermen hoped to propitiate the spirits of the sea. Later still they were presented, although lacking the luster and professional skill of the palace performers, by anyone who could afford the modest fees of a group of strolling players.

Of these entertainments the oldest and most popular are the Makyong, a dance-drama in which all the players are women except two clowns, the wayang kulit (shadow play), in which brightly coloured leather puppets enact the Ramayana epic from behind a white screen, the Menora, a Siamese variety of the Makyong in which all the characters are played by men; and a number of intricate dances for which training used to begin when the dancers were six years of age.

Outdoor entertainments included the flying of elaborately decorated wau (kites), the spinning of heavy silver mounted gasing (spinning tops), and a variety of Malay Pencak Silat ر (traditional self-defense art) which is performed with such vigour that even champions from other states are reluctant to take part. The beating of rebana (giant drums), never be seen outside the State, is a frequent feature of Kelantan celebrations and has a rhythm all its own. These traditional performances are parts of entertainment which have rejoiced the hearts of so many earlier generations and still remain popular to this day.

Another interesting feature in Kelantan lies in its trishaw. A three-wheeled pedal vehicle, the thrishaw is poluttion free. The availability of a great number of trishaws ready to serve you in the cultural town of Kota Bharu offers you a pleasurable ride. One of the peculiar aspects of Kota Bharu, the state capital, is the Central Market renamed Siti Khadijah, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). At the break of dawn, the stallhaolders and fishmongers begin their businesses amidst rows of chillies, vegetables, seafood and other farm produce. It is a riot of colour. It may even surprise the tourists to see in the central market of Siti Khadijah the Kelantanese women in command of the day running of the businesses. Renowned for their great beauty, they have inherited the great entreprenurial talent. Perhaps, they have inherited the noble characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad wife, Siti Khadijah, and the traits of Cik Siti Wan Kembang, a legendary warrior queen, who ruled Kelantan in the 14th century.

The women are also gifted in the art of making great delicacies. Kelantan unique cuisine produces specialities like 'Ayam Percik', 'Nasi Dagang' and 'Nasi Kerabu', 'Nasi Air' The numerous local cakes carrying such exotic names like 'Cik Mek Molek', 'Nasi Kaya', and'Jala Mas', offers a wide variety of taste to the visitors. All these characteristics add the uniqueness of Kelantan Darul Naim, the Craddle of Malay Cultures.