Duyong Island
{{Short description|Island off Kuala Terengganu in Malaysia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox islands
| image_name = Kuala Terengganu River (February 2017).jpg
| image_caption = A view of the Kuala Terengganu River taken around Duyong Island in the mouth of the Terengganu River
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| native_name = Pulau Duyong
ڤولاو دويوڠ
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| sobriquet =
| location = Terengganu River
| coordinates = {{coord|5|20|00|N|103|07|30|E|type:isle_region:MY|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago = River Islands
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| area_km2 = 1.19
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| country = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = State
| country_admin_divisions = {{flag|Terengganu}}
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = District
| country_admin_divisions_1 = Kuala Terengganu
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = Mukim
| country_admin_divisions_2 = River Islands
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Duyong Island is a river island in the mouth of Terengganu River in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia.
Etymology
The former name of this river island was Peria Island, peria being the Malay word that means 'bittergourd', alluding to the shape of the island. The name was changed to Duyong, a Malay word that means 'mermaid', after the residents of the island were allegedly reported to see two mermaids landing on its shore.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/utama/2020/11/643376/kini-tinggal-tiga-orang-sahaja|title=Kini tinggal tiga orang sahaja|date=19 November 2020|website=HM Online}}
Geography
File:Kota Lama Duyong 2016.jpg
Duyong Island is located in Kuala Terengganu, and was previously divided into Duyong Besar Island and the smaller Duyong Kecil Island dan Ketam Island. Nevertheless, sedimentation and reclamation have united it as well as changed its coastline substantially. The area of the island now is 2.7 square kilometers. A seaward extension has been developed into the Heritage Bay Resort (now Duyong Marina & Resort) which previously hosted the annual Monsoon Cup yacht race.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/97788/EDISI/Terengganu/Festival-Kebudayaan-Terengganu-2020-bermula-27-Ogos-ini|title=Festival Kebudayaan Terengganu 2020 bermula 27 Ogos ini|first=RAHAYU|last=MUSTAFA|date=22 August 2020|website=Sinarharian}} This island is connected to Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus via Sultan Mahmud Bridge.{{cite report|title=Morfologi Bandar Kuala Terengganu|publisher=Department of Town and Village Planning of Peninsular Malaysia, Ministry of Housing and Local Government|date=December 2009}}
Culture
Duyong Island used to be the residence of scholar Tok Syeikh Duyonge.g. Utusan Malaysia, 6 March 2006, p18 (1802–1889), who was respected by the palace as well as the people, and his descendants, and was a seat of religious learning. The Kota Lama Duyong (Duyong Old Fort)Syed Ahmad Iskandar Syed Ariffin, The Conservation of Kota Duyung: A Review, 2nd IFSAH 2003 & International Symposium on Asian Heritage 2003 (paper available [http://www.vintagemalaya.com/files/The_Malaysian_Experience_-_The_Conservation_of_Kota_Duyung.pdf here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120100723/http://www.vintagemalaya.com/files/The_Malaysian_Experience_-_The_Conservation_of_Kota_Duyung.pdf |date=20 November 2008 }}) is a remnant of his era. Duyong Old Fort is an old Malay palace featuring a unique architecture influenced by Western and Egyptian Islamic elements. Due to its geographical shape and the locational significance in terms of religious scholarship, Duyong Island has been referred to as the tongue of Terengganu.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/going-places/preserving-the-tradition-XD5401440|title=Preserving the tradition|website=www.thesundaily.my}}
Duyong Island is also known for its traditional boatmaking and boat repairing industry, which has existed since before independence. These traditional boats are made without the use of nails.{{cite book |last1=Mansor |first1=Noraien |title=Beautiful Terengganu Malaysia |publisher=Penerbit UTM}} In its heyday, the boatmakers of Duyong Island received orders from a number of countries, although this industry is now declining.{{cite news |last1=Soon |first1=Li Wei |title=Pulau Duyong 'khazanah' warisan Terengganu bertaraf dunia |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/features/news.php?id=1902423 |publisher=BERNAMA}}