I have always wanted to give Malay homestay in Malaysia a try. That means being able to soak in nothing less than the most authentic kampung or village vibes, chase a flock of chickens and geese around a meadow, and take long, delightful dips in the cooling water of free-flowing rivers.

Luckily for me, I finally had a taste of the traditional Malay way of living just recently at the Kampung Raga Homestay located in Malaysia's northernmost state of Kedah. Here, I set out for two days of eye-opening discoveries and experiences and ended up getting more than what I bargained for!

Read also: Must-Try Unique Food in Kedah

Table of Content

1. Malay Culture in Malaysia
2. Activities at Kampung Raga Homestay
3. Traditional Kedah Cuisine
4. Exotic Tropical Fruits
5. Get Adopted by a Family
6. Make Kuih Karas
7. Raw Madu Kelulut
8. How to Get to Kampung Raga
9. Homestay Price & Packages
10. Contact Information

We arrived at Kampung Raga to a warm, traditional kompang welcome. It is a drum-like traditional music instrument typically played during festive Malay occasions.

Experience Malay Culture at Kampung Raga Homestay, Kedah

Experience Malay Culture: Kampung Raga Homestay at Yan, Kedah

Malay Culture in Malaysia

Kampung Raga started as one of Kedah's first homestay programs back in 1996. Today, it offers up to 40 guest rooms in 29 different houses. Guests can freely explore the village that is located at the foot of the idyllic Gunung Jerai, smack in the middle of Kampung Permatang Keramat and Kampung Jawa.

Surrounding Kampung Raga are incredible views of Yan’s timelessly green paddy fields and panoramic beaches. Every morning, you will be greeted by the sounds of nature - chirping of the birds, vibrating buzzes from the tireless bees, and the punctual crowing from husky roosters once the sun breaches the horizon.

The dwellers of Kampung Raga are more than just neighbors - they are family. It is claimed that everyone living in this village has family ties descending from the same ancestors. Due to this, the place was initially known as Kampung Keluarga which means Family Village, before the name was shortened to become what it is today.

One of the attractions of Kampung Raga - a house made entirely of mangoesteen tree trunks

Activities at Kampung Raga Homestay

Looking for an authentic and traditional Malay homestay experience in Malaysia? Kampung Raga should definitely be on your list. Listed below are a few fun activities at the Kampung Raga Homestay that are suitable for every type of traveller with an interest for cultures.

Traditional Kedah Cuisine

Kedahan cuisine is different from those found around the central or southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia. It carries heavy Siamese influences which uses plenty of fresh herbs and piquant sauces. Kedahans love their grains - they include steamed white rice in all three meals of the day because the conventional occupations here revolve around agriculture, fishing and forestry - all which are laborious jobs requiring physical strength and a carb-dense diet. Since Yan is also situated along the coast of the Straits of Malacca, visitors can freely indulge in a wide selection of freshly caught seafood anytime of the day.

Take whatever you want from the buffet spread. Needless to say, I tried everything.

Banana stem curry. Yummy!

Deep fried salted fish

Exotic Tropical Fruits

Although there is an orchard in Kampung Raga, you can pretty much find fruits hanging everywhere, swarming the entire village. Starfruits, rambutans, mangosteens and durians are nothing short of abundance, which you can pick and eat as you take your leisurely strolls. The fruits here are so good that outsiders often drop by the village to replenish their juicy supplies when they are in season.

Orchard at Kampung Raga Homestay, Kedah

Fruit season at Kampung Raga Homestay, Kedah

Local fruits at Kampung Raga Homestay, Kedah

It's free-flow tropical fruits all day long here at Kampung Raga!

Beautifully sliced asam gelugur left out under the sun to dry

Get Adopted by a Family

Every visitor here will be assigned to a keluarga angkat or foster family through a fun “adoption” ceremony. You will be staying in the house of your foster family where your accommodation, food and tour will be fully taken care of. This enables intimate conversations and bonding so you can have an authentic, first-hand taste of what it is like living with the locals.

This is our ibu angkat or foster mother, who took care of us throughout our two-day stay at her house.

The house we stayed in at Kampung Raga

The living room

Our room which has a private bathroom attached

The backyard that comes with the house

The chickens that come with the backyard

Breakfast prepared by our ibu angkat - curry puffs, banana fritters, kuey teow goreng and teh tarik

Make Kuih Karas

Kuih Karas is a sweet traditional coconut snack of Kedah that is usually eaten during tea time accompanied with a cup of hot sweetened tea. At Kampung Raga, you will have the opportunity to see how the snack is made, or even try making it yourself! The process takes control and skills, but you will definitely master the art of frying Kuih Karas using a special wooden sieve just after a few rounds of coiling!

Make Your Own Kuih Karas at Kampung Raga Homestay, Kedah

Make your very own Kedah's famous Kuih Karas and eat them fresh! 

Raw Madu Kelulut

The kelulut honey is highly regarded as a health elixir that provides up to ten times more antioxidants compared to other types of honey. This raw, wild honey is produced by the stingless bee which have been inhabiting our tropical rainforests for the last 50 million years - away from pollution and urbanization. Considered rare, it is used by many as remedies for various diseases thanks to the high nutritional value and medicinal properties.

Try Kelulut Honey right out of the unique honeycomb created by the stingless bees of Yan.

The river Sungai Raga which flows through the village

Traditional music performances during dinner

How to Get to Kampung Raga

Kampung Raga is located in the Yan district of Kedah, about 45 kilometers from the state capital of Alor Setar and 40 kilometers from Sungai Petani. The drive to Yan is an enthralling journey through narrow passages across several time-honoured villages and lush greenery.

Homestay Price & Packages

2D1N Accommodation+Food (RM50/pax, minimum 2 pax)
2D1N Accommodation+Food+Activities (RM60/pax, minimum 6 pax)
3D2N Accommodation+Food (RM100/pax, minimum 2 pax)
3D2N Accommodation+Food+Activities (RM120/pax, minimum 6 pax)
4D3N Accommodation+Food (RM220/pax, minimum 2 pax)
4D3N Accommodation+Food+Activities (RM250/pax, minimum 6 pax)

Contact Information

Address: F285, Kampung Raga 06900 Yan, Kedah.
Email: homestay_raga@yahoo.com
Tel: +6013-4668191 / +6011-10662829

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