The Minangkabaus moved to the wider area of Negeri Sembilan during the 14th century. Around the 15th century they moved further inland from Rembau and explored the Seri Menanti area. Among the explorers was Datuk Puteh of Pagar Ruyung. According to legend, they found three stalks of fresh green paddy and thus Datuk Puteh christened the area Padi Menanti. Over time the name changed to Seri Menanti. It is believed that the word"seri" means the Goddess of rice in the ancient Javanese tradition. Raja Melewar arrived in Negeri Sembilan in 1773, installed and proclaimed as the first Yamtuan Besar in Kampung Penajis in Rembau. He later moved his palace to Seri Menanti which remains the royal town of Negeri Sembilan.
Notable and historical landmarks
The official Palace for the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan is Istana Besar Seri Menanti. The palace complex consists of the Main Palace, the Throne Room, and the Royal Banquet Hall. The Istana Besar Seri Menanti was completed in 1932 The old wooden palace known as Istana Lama, was built and officiated during the reign of Yang Di-Pertuan BesarTuanku Muhammad ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah is made in part of Chengal wood Neobalanocarpus and iron wood or belian wood Eusideroxylon zwageri and held together using only wooden pegs. The palace took six years to build and was completed in 1908 at a cost of $45,000.00 at that time. The design has subtle hints of Minangkabau architecture, has five levels rising to a height of sixty seven feet or approximately twenty meters high and has ninety nine columns to support the main structure. The Istana Lama was a replacement for Istana Pulih which was burned down by British soldiers. The drawings and plans for Istana Lama was detailed by Mr. Woodford based on the designs provided by two local craftsmen, Kahar and Taib. This palace was used until 1932 after which the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar moved to Istana Besar. The Istana Lama has been designated as a national heritage site and was converted into a Royal Museum in 1992 and is currently closed to the public to facilitate repairs and upgrading works which is expected to be completed in 2020. Other landmarks include the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum, the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque , the Seri Menanti Resort, and the eighteen hole Royal Seri Menanti Golf and Country Club which also has two squash courts. There is also the Ladang Alam Warisan located in Kampong Tengah which has horseback riding and horseback archery and lodging facilities. There are also several homestay providers.
Surrounding area
Among the villages in the area are Kampung Tanah Datar, Kampung Tengah, Kampung Gamin, Kampung Istana Lama, Kampung Sikai, Kampung Buyau, Kampung Batu Hampar, Kampung Mertang Seberang, Kampung Merual, Kampung Galau, Kampung Masjid Terbakar, Kampung Padang Biawas, Kampung Jumbang, Kampong Gunung Pasir and others. A few traditionally styled houses, a derivative of the Minangkabau design Rumah Gadang remain standing around Seri Menanti and in the adjacent villages. A significant portion of the land in Seri Menanti is Malay Reserve and Malay Customary Land or Tanah Adat.
Getting there
By Road Seri Menanti located about 33.2 km from Seremban via Jalan Kuala Pilah-Seremban with a right turn at the junction at kampung Terachi on to N29. the town of Kuala Pilah is approximately 14 km away via route 51 and N24. The N24 continues on to Senaling which is about 12 km away and connects on to Route 9 with Kuala Pilah, Johol and Tampin.
Local Services
The town consists of a row of wooden shop houses, a post office, a police station, a government clinic, a general-purpose hall, a primary school SRK Tunku Laxamana Nasir and a secondary school SMK Tunku Besar Burhanuddin. There are several mosques in the Seri Menanti area.
The incumbent Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti is Tunku Ali Redhauddin, the eldest son of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir. The title of Tunku Besar Seri Menanti is the most senior of the Putera Yang Empat. This is the third time in 120 years that the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti has been appointed.
Local Events
January: Birthday day cerebrations of the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. Celebrations start with an honour guard held at the main field and an Investiture ceremony at the Istana Besar. There are also cultural and sporting events held to celebrate his birthday which has included soccer, cycling and golf. There are other events throughout the year. In March 2017, it was the site of the CIMB CYCLE @ SERI MENANTI 2017 which comprised the 120 km Endurance Route and 35 km Challenge Route.
