Malin Kundang
Encyclopedia
Malin Kundang is a Southeast Asia
n folktale about retribution on an ungrateful son. A sailor from a poor family, the protagonist sneaks onto a trading ship, eventually becoming rich, marrying a princess, and acquiring his own galleon. On his return to his home village, he is ashamed of his humble origins and refuses to recognise his elderly mother. She curses him, and when he sets sail, he and his ship are turned to stone.
In Indonesia
, the story is called Malin Kundang, and the legend is based in West Sumatra
. Air Manis, a beach near Padang
, has a rock formation called Batu Malin Kundang that is said to be the remains of his ship.
Another Indonesian folk story which is alike but take the different location is the legend of Sampuraga. The legend is based in Central Borneo. Belantikan Hulu, a remote area along the river Lamandau, Indonesia
, has a rock formation called Bukit Sampuraga which is believed to be the ruins of his ship.
, the story is Nakhoda Manis and is associated with a prow-like rock, Jong Batu
, in the Brunei River
.
, some chambers of which are said to resemble a ship's cabins. The Malaysian version is unique in that the protagonist, Tanggang, is an orang asli
from the Temuan
tribe who was abducted by slave traders. He later assimilates himself into Malay society and refuses to receive his loincloth-wearing parents. A variance of Si Tenggang, with the title "Charitra Megat Sajobang" was also mentioned in Malay Magic (1900) pp 54-55 printed by The Macmillan Company : New York. Clearly shown that as at 1900, it's already acquire a status as folklore stories., ,
As a parable on family responsibility, the story is popular in Southeast Asia as a theme for animations, film, drama and literature even until today. For example, a black and white Malay movie was produced in 1961 , the 1979 autobiographical The Travel Journals of Si Tenggang II, one of the major poetical collections of the Malaysian Laureate Muhammad Haji Salleh, uses the story as a metaphor
for the general experience of moving away from one's cultural roots., and 2009 Astro Malaysia Documentary.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n folktale about retribution on an ungrateful son. A sailor from a poor family, the protagonist sneaks onto a trading ship, eventually becoming rich, marrying a princess, and acquiring his own galleon. On his return to his home village, he is ashamed of his humble origins and refuses to recognise his elderly mother. She curses him, and when he sets sail, he and his ship are turned to stone.
In Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, the story is called Malin Kundang, and the legend is based in West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
. Air Manis, a beach near Padang
Padang, Indonesia
Padang is the capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located on the western coast of Sumatra at . It has an area of and a population of over 833,000 people at the 2010 Census.-History:...
, has a rock formation called Batu Malin Kundang that is said to be the remains of his ship.
Another Indonesian folk story which is alike but take the different location is the legend of Sampuraga. The legend is based in Central Borneo. Belantikan Hulu, a remote area along the river Lamandau, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, has a rock formation called Bukit Sampuraga which is believed to be the ruins of his ship.
Nakhoda Manis
In BruneiBrunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
, the story is Nakhoda Manis and is associated with a prow-like rock, Jong Batu
Jong Batu
Jong Batu is a rock outcrop located in the Brunei River. It is shaped such that when viewed from the shores of the Brunei River, it resembles a sinking ship, with the bow sticking out of the water...
, in the Brunei River
Brunei River
The Brunei River is a river which flows through Brunei and empties into Brunei Bay towards the North-east direction. The Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, stands on its banks. The Brunei River is the shortest major river in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Darussalam's...
.
Si Tanggang
In Malaysia, the story is known as Si Tanggang (or Si Tenggang), being associated with the Batu CavesBatu Caves
Batu Caves , is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill. Batu Caves is also the name of the nearby village.The cave is one of the...
, some chambers of which are said to resemble a ship's cabins. The Malaysian version is unique in that the protagonist, Tanggang, is an orang asli
Orang Asli
Orang Asli , is a generic Malaysian term used for people indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia...
from the Temuan
Temuan
The Temuans are one of indigenous peoples of Malaysia.They speak Temuan, an Austronesian language. Like other indigenous tribes in Malaysia, most Temuans live in poverty.-Flood Legend:...
tribe who was abducted by slave traders. He later assimilates himself into Malay society and refuses to receive his loincloth-wearing parents. A variance of Si Tenggang, with the title "Charitra Megat Sajobang" was also mentioned in Malay Magic (1900) pp 54-55 printed by The Macmillan Company : New York. Clearly shown that as at 1900, it's already acquire a status as folklore stories., ,
As a parable on family responsibility, the story is popular in Southeast Asia as a theme for animations, film, drama and literature even until today. For example, a black and white Malay movie was produced in 1961 , the 1979 autobiographical The Travel Journals of Si Tenggang II, one of the major poetical collections of the Malaysian Laureate Muhammad Haji Salleh, uses the story as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
for the general experience of moving away from one's cultural roots., and 2009 Astro Malaysia Documentary.
External links
- Nakoda Manis ASEAN Stories Project (story and photos of Jong Batu)