It is a proud tribute to the heritage of a group of settlers from west Sumatra who made their new home in the fertile valleys and hills behind Melaka, attracted by the port’s success. They brought their style of architecture and, protected by the Malay sultans, continued adhering to the unique adat pepatih customs that follow a matrilineal system, which governs laws, political organisation, traditions and social systems. 

The small principalities founded by the original settlers formed the nine luak or states that became the federation of Negeri Sembilan. Today, although the modern state is divided into districts, the luak remain. Violent clashes over tin that resulted in British intervention in the 1800s have reduced the number of luak to five.