Exploring Malaysia 
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Negri Sembilan is steeped in history dating way back to the 15th Century when the Minangkabau people of Sumatra came to settle there. In the early days, Negeri Sembilan was not a unified State in the past. It used to be a loose confederation of nine fiefdoms. Initially under the protection of the Melaka Sultanate until its collapse in 1511 with the arrival of the Portuguese, Negeri Sembilan then became a vassal of the Johor Sultanate. In the 18th century attacks by the Bugis forced the Minangkabaus to seek protection from a prince from their homeland, Raja Melewar of Pagar Ruyong. Raja Melewar was proclaimed the first Yang Dipertuan Besar (meaning 'He who is Greatest') of Negeri Sembilan in 1773. Subsequent civil wars among the nine Malay chieftains resulted in the British appointing a British Resident in 1895, primarily to protect their tin trade along Sungai Linggi (Linggi River), and the appointment of the Yam Tuan Seri Menanti as the ruler of the State of Negeri Sembilan in 1889. Today Negeri Sembilan is still ruled by the Yang Dipertuan Besar and not a Sultan as is the norm with most of the other states in Malaysia.
The population of Negeri Sembilan is estimated to be around 978,248 comprising primarily Malays (the extensive Minangkabau residents are considered Malays), Chinese, Indians and others. The culture and traditions in Negeri Sembilan are strongly influenced by the culture brought by the Minangkabau descendants. A unique aspect of their culture is the cultural and social system called Adat Perpatih, which is a matrilineal system that dictates women as the leaders of society and inheritances are passed down to daughters, and not sons. The horn-roof style of architecture typical of the predominant ‘bull’ element of the Minangkabaus is evident around the state and even some of the headgears worn by the locals on festive occasions resemble the horns of the bull!
