Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang
It is an agricultural community in the northern section of Seberang Perai, having a large expanse of paddy fields and palm oil plantations. Previously, the area was surrounded by rubber trees which later replaced by oil palm plantations and paddy fields during the 1950s and 1960s. While many of the oil palm plantations have been demolished for construction, the rice fields continue to be a source of income for farmers and a beautiful treat for photographers and Instagrammers.
- The existence of Pekan Kepala Batas can be traced back to old maps as early as 1839. However, according to history, the earliest mosque here began in 1784, namely the Lebai Abdul Kadir Mosque, originally located near the Cemetery at Simpang Tiga Lahar Ikan Mati, approximately half a kilometer north of the present old town of Kepala Batas.
- Kepala Batas also evokes fond memories for locals, and its Ghazal Party is well-known throughout the Northern Peninsula. Unlike the Ghazal in Johor, which focuses on the native Malay rhythm and gambus, the Ghazal Party in Kepala Batas focuses on Arabian desert tunes, which are later combined with Hindustani rhythms and hilarious comments.
