Been There – Johor
It seems that the design of the Been There Johor mug is almost identical to the ornament that I reviewed earlier. Most of the symbols and landmarks can be seen in both designs, but they are arranged in a slightly different way.
Johor state’s history stretches back to the powerful Johor Sultanate, founded in 1528 following Malacca’s collapse. Under Sultan Abu Bakar’s visionary leadership in the late 1800s, the state modernized its government and infrastructure while preserving royal authority. Positioned strategically along vital shipping lanes and adjacent to Singapore, Johor has become Malaysia’s manufacturing giant and farming center without abandoning its royal traditions and multicultural identity.
– The Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque with its striking blue domes, stands as Johor Bahru’s most spectacular religious monument. This 1900 masterpiece fuses Victorian grandeur with Moorish and Malay design elements in a distinctive blue-and-white palette. Rising above the Straits of Johor from its hilltop perch, the mosque embodies the state’s Islamic faith and the lasting influence of the Johor royal dynasty.
– The dancing figures shown on the mug honour Johor’s diverse population and their dynamic performance traditions. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Javanese, and Orang Asli communities each bring distinctive dance forms, musical styles, and celebratory customs to the state. Traditional art forms, including zapin, kuda kepang, and numerous ethnic performances, continue to animate festivals and gatherings throughout Johor.
– The pineapple image celebrates Johor’s legacy as Malaysia’s pineapple capital. Extensive plantations once dominated the landscape, establishing Johor as the country’s top pineapple grower and international supplier. This golden fruit symbolizes the state’s farming roots and features prominently in regional treats, especially the beloved pineapple tarts that grace festive tables.
– The distinctive stadium architecture represents the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Johor’s crown jewel and among Southeast Asia’s finest sports facilities. This cutting-edge venue opened in 2020 with seating for more than 40,000 spectators and hosts Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Malaysia’s dominant football team. The stadium demonstrates
Johor’s dedication to athletic achievement and contemporary development while nurturing the state’s fervent football enthusiasm.
– The checkered textile patterns showcase traditional Malay handicrafts that remain essential to Johor’s cultural fabric. Batik creation, songket textile work, mengkuang basket weaving, and related traditional arts flourish across different regions. These crafts serve both practical and economic purposes while transmitting centuries of artistic expertise through generations.
– The culinary illustrations highlight Johor’s unique food traditions that distinguish it from other Malaysian regions. Regional specialties feature Laksa Johor with unusual spaghetti-style noodles, mee rebus topped with sweet potato sauce, and otak-otak wrapped and cooked in coconut fronds. These dishes showcase the blended influences of Javanese, Bugis, Chinese, and Indian settlers who established roots in Johor over centuries.
– The percussion instrument imagery represents Johor’s rich musical legacy, especially its gamelan and kompang performance traditions. These traditional drum and percussion groups provide soundtracks for royal events, marriage celebrations, and community festivals statewide. The Johor royal family and cultural institutions have safeguarded these musical practices, ensuring they remain fundamental to the state’s heritage.
