Eggsquisitely Mythical #13: Malaysia
- Dr. Fizza Younis
- Mar 30
- 13 min read
Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!
For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the myths and legends of Malaysia.
BACKGROUND
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia that consists of two regions: Peninsular Malaysia on the Malay Peninsula, which shares a land and maritime border with Thailand and maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. And East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, which shares land and maritime borders with Brunei and Indonesia, and a maritime border with the Philippines and Vietnam.
The country has a diverse population of over 32 million people, comprising various ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups. Malaysia has rich natural resources, cultural heritage, and modern development. The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while the administrative center is Putrajaya. Malaysia became an independent nation in 1957 after being a British colony for over a century.
DEITIES
Na Tuk Kong (Chinese: 拿督公) is a god of the place (or local guardian spirit) who is often associated with a local Muslim saint or Datuk Keramat.
Tua Pek Kong (Chinese: 大伯公) is a pantheon of Malaysian Chinese Gods; an ancestral figure who is related to Tudigong or Earth Deity and is widely worshipped in temples and shrines.
Kinoingan is a rice deity who is the supreme creator god of the Kadazan-Dusun people in Sabah. He sacrificed his daughter, Huminodun, to create rice and other plants. Sometimes, he is also known by the name Kaei or Kinorohingan. And considered a great god who dwelt in a firmament when the world was all water. He created everything and sacrificed his daughter to create rice seeds and help starving people.
Tnee Kong (Chinese: 天公) is the celestial god who is worshipped by the Malaysian Chinese during the Chinese New Year. He is also known as the Jade Emperor and is the supreme ruler of heaven.
Choy Sun Yeh (Chinese: 财神) is the god of prosperity or fortune worshipped by the Malaysian Chinese. He is often depicted as a smiling man with a red robe and a black hat, holding a gold ingot or a scroll.
Kwan Kong (Chinese: 關公) is the god of war and loyalty, who is also worshipped by the Malaysian Chinese. He was originally a historical figure named Guan Yu, a general during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He is often depicted as a red-faced warrior with a long beard and a halberd.
Djalai is a sky goddess of the Kenta, Malaya. She is one of the main deities in Malay folklore, which is influenced by various religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and animism.
Raja Angin is the Malaysian wind god. He is sometimes associated with other wind gods in Asia, such as Tawhiri in Polynesia or Vayu in India.
Raja Jinn Peri is a fairy god or king originating in Malay mythology. He appears in the Malay Annals or the Sulalatus Salatin (Genealogy of Kings), where he brings three crowns of Solomon to King Suran. He is also known as Asmaghiah Peri.
MYTHICAL CREATURES
Seri Gumum Dragon is a mythical dragon who lives in the Gunung Ledang waterfall and is believed to be the guardian of the area. Malaysia's own Loch Ness monster, some believe that it is a great Naga living below the calm waters of Tasik Chini in Pahang.
Kuda Semberani is a royal pegasus. It is a divine horse that flies at speeds so fast that it's akin to teleportation. For this reason, it is known to be the fastest object in the skies. According to Sejarah Melayu, Kuda Semberani answered only to Raja Suran - the king of a sea world called Negara Dika - who rode the flying stallion to travel back to the land from his underwater kingdom.
Orang Mawas is a local Bigfoot that inhabits the forests of Johor.
Santu Sakai are monstrous werewolves in Kuala Lumpur. They are believed to have large fangs and cravings for fresh, red meat.
Á Bao A Qu is an invisible creature searching for a pure being. It originates from Malay mythology.
Sang Kelembai is a giantess that turns anything & anyone into stone. She is generally described as about thrice as big as a normal person and said to be ugly with thick eyebrows, a big fat nose, big elephant ears, and fangs.
Sang Kancil is one of the most prominent mythical creatures in Malaysian mythology. The word kancil means "mouse deer," a small herbivore living in East Malaysia and other countries. While small, these things are fast and flexible, making for fascinating folk stories.
Jinn are supernatural beings who are mentioned in the Quran and Islamic traditions. They can be good or evil and can possess or influence humans. Some Malays believe that certain places are haunted by jinn or that they can be summoned by bomohs.
IMPORTANT FIGURES FROM LEGENDS
Siti Wan Kembang is a legendary queen who ruled over a kingdom in Kelantan and was said to have supernatural powers and a close bond with animals.
Badang is a legendary strongman who was said to have lifted a huge boulder and placed it near the Singapore River.
Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat are two famous warriors who served the Sultan of Malacca in the 15th century. Hang Tuah was loyal and obedient, while Hang Jebat rebelled against the Sultan after he wrongly ordered Hang Tuah's execution.
Mahsuri is a beautiful maiden who was falsely accused of adultery and executed in Langkawi. She cursed the island for seven generations before her blood turned white as a sign of her innocence.
Nunuk Ragang is a red banyan tree that was believed to be the origin of the Kadazan-Dusun people in Sabah. It was also the site of a great flood that separated the different tribes.
Princess of Mount Ledang is a mythical princess who lived on a mountain in Johor and was sought after by the Sultan of Malacca. She gave him seven impossible tasks to fulfill before she would marry him, but he failed to complete them.
Si Tanggang is a prodigal son who abandoned his poor parents after becoming rich and married a princess. He refused to acknowledge them when they came to visit him on his ship, and he was turned into stone along with his ship and crew.
Bisan is a female shaman who was the first human to receive the power of healing from Kinoingan. She taught other women how to become bobohizans and heal the sick.
Rangalau Kiulu Phantom is a ghostly figure who appears on the Kiulu River in Sabah. He is said to be the spirit of a warrior who died in battle and now guards the river against invaders.
Panglima Awang is a legendary sailor who was said to be the first Malay to circumnavigate the world. He was also known as Enrique of Malacca and was a translator for Ferdinand Magellan.
Datuk Keramat is a term for Muslim saints or holy men who are revered for their miracles and blessings. They are often associated with shrines or tombs that are visited by devotees.
LEGENDS, MYTHS, AND FOLKTALES
Gunung Ledang Princess
Once upon a time, a princess lived on Mount Ledang. The Princess of Mount Ophir was a celestial being who resided in a palace on top of Gunung Ledang, the highest mountain in Johor, Malaysia. She was so beautiful that her radiance could be seen from afar. She had many admirers, but none of them could reach her abode, which was guarded by magical creatures and hidden by mists.
One day, Sultan Mahmud Shah of Melaka, who had heard of her beauty from traders and travelers, decided that he wanted to marry her. He sent his most loyal and brave warriors, Hang Tuah and Tun Mamat, to find her and deliver his proposal. He gave them a golden ring as a token of his love.
Hang Tuah and Tun Mamat embarked on a perilous journey through the dense forest of the mountain. They faced many dangers, such as wild animals, poisonous plants, and hostile spirits. Along the way, they met Sang Setia, another warrior who had been sent by the Sultan earlier but had lost his way. They decided to join forces and continue together.
After many days of hardship, they finally reached the summit of the mountain. There, they saw a magnificent garden filled with exotic flowers and fruits. They also saw a hunchbacked old woman who was tending to the plants. They approached her and asked her if she knew where the Princess lived.
The old woman said that she was the Princess's servant and that she would inform her of their arrival. She asked them to wait in the garden while she went to the palace.
After a while, she came back with a message from the Princess. She said that the Princess had agreed to marry the Sultan provided he fulfilled her seven conditions. According to the old woman, the Sultan must:
1. Build a golden bridge from her home in the mountains to Melaka;
2. Build a silver bridge for her to return from Melaka to the mountains;
3. Give her seven large clay jars of maidens' tears;
4. Give her seven large clay jars of young betel nut juice;
5. Give her seven trays filled with hearts of fleas;
6. Give her seven trays filled with the hearts of mosquitoes; and
7. Give her a bowl of the blood of the Sultan's young son.
Hang Tuah and Tun Mamat were shocked and angry at her words. They realized that she was mocking them and their Sultan. They tried to reason with her and persuade her to lower her demands. But she refused to listen.
She said that those were the Princess's conditions and that they had to accept them or leave. Then she gave them back the golden ring that the Sultan had sent and told them to go back to their Sultan and tell him what happened. After that, she left them alone in the garden.
Hang Tuah and Tun Mamat felt humiliated and defeated. They buried Sang Setia in the garden and prayed for his soul. They then made their way back to their horses. They rode back to Melaka with heavy hearts. They reported everything to Sultan Mahmud Shah, who was furious at their failure. He ordered them to be executed for their incompetence.
But before they could be killed, they escaped from the palace with the help of some loyal friends. They fled from Melaka and went into hiding.
No one saw the Princess of Mount Ophir ever again.
Another version of the legend says, the sultan couldn't see the impossibility of the tasks and in his pride, tried to complete them. He was able to complete the first six tasks, but when it came to killing his only child, his resolve faltered. And the fairy princess didn't marry him. Setting such ridiculous tasks was her subtle way to refuse his proposal, to begin with.
Si Tanggang
Once upon a time, there lived a poor boy named Si Tanggang with his mother in a fishing village. They worked hard every day to catch fish and sell them in the market. Si Tanggang was not happy with his life. He dreamed of going to the city and becoming rich and famous.
One day, he saw a big ship that was docked at the pier. He was curious and asked the sailors what they were doing. They told him that they were traders who traveled around the world and bought and sold goods. They said that they made a lot of money and had a lot of fun.
Si Tanggang was amazed and envious. He wanted to join them and see the world. He ran to his mother and begged her to let him go with the traders. His mother was shocked and scared. She did not want to lose her only son. She tried to persuade him to stay with her and be content with what they had.
But Si Tanggang was stubborn and determined. He said that he was tired of being poor and that he wanted to make his fortune. He said that he would come back someday and take care of her. He said that he loved her and asked for her blessing.
His mother saw that he had made up his mind and that she could not stop him. She loved him too much to deny him his wish. She gave him her blessing and some packs of rice for his journey. She hugged him and kissed him goodbye. She told him to remember her and to come back soon.
Si Tanggang boarded the ship with the traders and sailed away from his village. His mother watched him from the shore until he disappeared from her sight. She cried and prayed for his safety and success.
She waited for him every day, hoping that he would return soon. She missed him terribly and worried about him constantly. She never gave up on him.
Meanwhile, Si Tanggang had a lot of adventures on the ship. He learned how to trade and how to deal with different people and cultures. He was intelligent and brave and soon became very successful. He made a lot of money and bought his own ship. He married a beautiful princess from a faraway land. He forgot about his mother and his village. He became proud and arrogant.
One day, he decided to visit his homeland with his ship and his wife. He wanted to show off his wealth and power to the people who used to look down on him. He did not care about seeing his mother or thanking her for her sacrifice.
He arrived at his village and anchored his ship at the pier. The villagers were amazed by the sight of the magnificent ship and the elegant couple who came out of it. They wondered who they were and what they wanted.
Si Tanggang's mother heard the commotion and came out of her hut. She saw the ship and recognized it as her son's. She was overjoyed and ran towards it, calling out his name.
Si Tanggang saw her coming and felt ashamed and annoyed. He did not want his wife or anyone else to know he came from a poor family. He pretended not to know her and told her to go away.
His mother was shocked and hurt by his words. She could not believe that he would deny her after all these years. She begged him to acknowledge her as his mother and to embrace her as his son.
But Si Tanggang was cruel and heartless. He said that he was not her son and that she was not his mother. He said that she was a dirty old woman who wanted to take advantage of him. He said that he had no relation with her or with this village.
His mother was devastated by his rejection and insult. She felt a surge of anger and sorrow in her heart. She cursed him for being ungrateful and disobedient. She prayed to God to punish him for his sins.
God heard her prayer and granted her wish. A thunderstorm suddenly broke out over the sea, followed by a strong earthquake that shook the land. Si Tanggang, his ship, and his crew were turned into stone by God's wrath.
They remain as stones, as a reminder of the consequences of dishonoring one's parents.
Legends of Chini Lake
The Origin Myth
Long ago, there was a peaceful tribe of Jakun people who lived in harmony with nature. They respected the spirits of the land and the animals and never harmed them. One day, they decided to move to a new place, where they saw a vast and fertile field. They thought it was a perfect spot for planting crops and building houses. They didn't know it was actually the home of a giant serpent named Seri Gumum, who slept under a rotting log.
As they cleared the forest and dug holes, they disturbed the old woman who lived there. She was the guardian of the land, and she knew about Seri Gumum. She warned them not to touch her walking stick, which she planted in the middle of the field. She said it was a sacred object that kept the balance of the land. The Jakun people ignored her and continued their work.
One day, a dog barked at a log near the clearing. It smelled something strange and wanted to investigate. One of the men threw his stick at it, hoping to scare away the dog. To his horror, he saw blood spurt out from the log. He realized he had hit Seri Gumum, who woke up from his slumber. He screamed and alerted his fellow men, who came running with more sticks and spears. They attacked Seri Gumum, thinking he was a dangerous beast.
Seri Gumum roared in pain and anger. He tried to defend himself, but he was outnumbered and wounded. He bled profusely, and his blood soaked the ground. The sky turned dark, and thunder rumbled. The old woman's walking stick was knocked over by a gust of wind, and a fountain of water gushed out from the hole. The water flooded the field and mixed with Seri Gumum's blood.
The Jakun people ran for their lives, but it was too late. They were drowned by the rising water.
The water and blood formed a lake, which is now known as Chini Lake. Seri Gumum's body became an island in the middle of the lake. The old woman's walking stick became a lotus flower that blooms on the lake.
The lake is now a sacred place for the Jakun people, who believe that Seri Gumum's spirit still lives there.
The Love Story
Once upon a time, there was a cursed princess sealed away in a Forbidden Garden on Chini Lake. Her name was Seri Gumum, and she was cursed by a witch who envied her beauty. The witch locked her away from the world. Seri Gumum could only see the sky and the water but never touch them. She longed for freedom and love.
One day, a handsome prince named Seri Kemboja came to visit Chini Lake. He was from Cambodia, and he was curious about the legend of Seri Gumum. He sailed on a boat across the lake and saw a glimpse of her face among the lotus flowers. He was enchanted by her beauty and called out to her. She heard his voice and looked at him with wonder. They felt an instant connection and started to talk.
They soon fell in love and decided to escape together. They waited for the night when the witch was asleep. They crossed the boundary of the garden and felt a strange sensation. They looked at each other and saw that they had turned into dragons. They did not mind their new forms, as long as they were together.
Seri Gumum realized that she had forgotten her sash in the garden. It was a precious gift from her mother, and she wanted to take it with her. She told Seri Kemboja to wait for her at the mouth of the lake, while she went back to get it. He agreed and swam ahead to the open sea.
Seri Gumum retrieved her sash and followed him. However, as she reached an island near the lake, her sash got caught on a rock. She tried to pull it free, but it was too tight. She called out to Seri Kemboja for help, but he did not hear her.
Seri Kemboja waited for her at the sea, but she never came. He grew worried and sad and wondered what had happened to her. He searched for her everywhere, but could not find her. He missed her so much that he lost his will to live.
He turned into Tioman Island, which is shaped like a dragon lying on its side. Seri Gumum remained trapped on Lingga Island, which is shaped like a dragon's head. They are still separated by miles of water, but they can see each other from afar. They still love each other and hope to be reunited someday.
That concludes today's discussion about Malaysian Mythology. We hope you enjoyed learning about the enchanting myths and legends of Malaysia and how it influences their culture today.
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