Mahsuri... A Woman Wronged

The most famous legend to emerge from Langkawi Island is of Mahsuri, a ravishing maiden who lived over 400 years ago.

The tale begins with a childless couple that prayed for a child of their own. Their prayers were answered when they were blessed with a beautiful daughter they named Mahsuri. Mahsuri grew into a beautiful and captivating woman that captured the heart of Mat Deris, the son of Langkawi’s ruler.

Mat Deris and Mahsuri married. However, their idyllic lives were disrupted when Mat Deris, went off to Siam to trade. After his departure, Mahsuri was lonely and yearned for company. In his absence, she befriended a traveling minstrel named Deramang.

Mahsuri’s friendship with Deramang soon gave rise to vicious gossip, as many villagers believed she was a faithless wife. Mahsuri’s mother-in-law, jealous of her beauty, falsely accused Mahsuri of committing adultery. Enraged by her alleged affair, Mahsuri’s father-in-law, Dato’ Seri Kerma Jaya, who was secretly enamoured with Mahsuri ordered that she be captured and immediately put to death.

Mahsuri was caught and tied to a tree. Protesting her innocence, she begged for mercy. Her executioners ignored her pleas and threw spears at her. Their efforts were useless, as Mahsuri remained uninjured. Resigned that only her death would appease them, Mahsuri revealed that only the sword kept at her home could kill her.

Someone fetched the sword and Mahsuri was stabbed to death. The villagers were shocked to discover white blood flowed from Mahsuri’s wounds signifying her innocence. With her dying breath Mahsuri cursed the island for seven generations to come.

Soon after her death, Siam invaded Langkawi. To protect the island, Dato’ Seri Kerma Jaya decided to starve the Siamese soldiers by burning all the rice on the island at Padang Mat Sirat. A foolish act, for soon the people of Langkawi were faced with starvation. Dato’ Seri Kerma Jaya and his family were killed during the battle.

Decades after Mahsuri’s death, Langkawi became an island plagued by misfortune. Many believed Mahsuri’s curse had truly befallen the island. Mahsuri was laid to rest near the main town of Kuah. Her tomb aptly named Kota Mahsuri is now a famous tourist attraction.

Many come to Langkawi to experience and see the evidence of this heart-rending legend. Kota Mahsuri is made of fine white marble that is surrounded by white walls – a clear reminder of her innocence. Here, visitors can read the full story at her tomb or view a recorded interpretation of the legend at the museum in Kota Mahsuri, which opens from 8am – 6.30pm, daily.

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The Seven Magical Wells

'Telaga Tujuh' or Seven Wells Waterfall is a unique natural formation of seven pools with one pool cascading on top of the other, to a height of over 90 metres. The waterfall is an ideal site for family picnics or a friendly get-together.

Located on the slopes of verdant Mount Cincang, locals believe the waterfall has a deeper significance than mere natural splendour. Legend has it the bewitching waterfall is the favourite haunt for fairies and sprites, in particular seven springhtly fairies. Each has her favourite pool to bathe and frolic.

These celestial beings are believed to possess supernatural healing powers, therefore the waters here are said to have curative properties. Every time they descend to their favourite playground, the air will be lightly blanketed with sweet pleasant perfume. And, if one listens carefully, one might also be able to hear their giggles of delight.

Nature lovers must never miss trekking to the top of the waterfalls as the view along the way is absolutely rewarding. One may even catch a glimpse of some wildlife such as the long-tailed macaques and giant cream-coloured squirrels.

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Langkawi's Legendary Brawl

In the heart of Langkawi Island sit two prominent mountains called Gunung Raya and Gunung Mat Cincang. And seeming to separate the two is a third mount called Bukit Sawar. Local legend believed the three were actually local giants by the names of Mat Raya, Mat Cincang and Mat Sawar.

A long time ago, during a grand engagement 'kenduri' or feast thrown for his daughter, Mat Raya was enraged when he caught his future son-in-law (Mat Cincang's son) flirting with another maiden at the feast. Such insolence resulted in the most furious fight between the two gigantic families. So intense was the battle that it transformed Langkawi.

The engagement ring was irately flung and the place where it landed became known as 'Tanjung Cincin' or Cape of the Ring. In the brawl, the crockery was angrily kicked around and its gravy spilt.

From the broken pieces of crockery emerged the village of 'Belanga Pecah' or Broken Crockery and the area of the split gravy became the town of 'Kuah', which means 'gravy' in Malay. And the Hot Springs at Air Hangat is the exact spot where a giant cauldron of hot water is smashed.

The fracas had disturbed the sleep of Sang Gedembai of 'Gua Cerita' or Cave of Stories, a bigger giantess possessing malevolent powers of casting deadly curses to anyone who displeases her. Infuriated, she stormed out cursing the brawling giants into mountains of stone, 'Gunung Mat Cincang' and 'Gunung Raya'. Alas, Mat Sawar who tried to reconcile the two was also transformed into the hill called 'Bukit Sawar', which now separates the two mountains.

Besides the paranomic view of these lush mountains, visitors can envision the legendary brawl and other mystifying local legends by visiting Langkawi's scenic Lagenda Park, situated only 400 metres from Kuah Jetty. The 50-acre sprawling open-air museum allows visitors to journey through local history that is rich with romantic legends and folklore.

Opens daily from 8am to 11pm, visitors will also enjoy its serene lakes, charming landscapes and imaginative monuments.

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Treasured Malaysian Legends - KEDAH

Located in the northern region of the peninsula and known as the 'Rice Bowl' of Malaysia, Kedah's scenic beauty is unrivalled. Her great expanse of green paddy fields against the backdrop of ancient hills provides a serene ambience that adds to the appeal of this picturesque state.

Steeped in history, culture and heritage, Kedah was the birthplace for many ancient kingdoms believed to date back to the 6th century A.D. Its capital city, Alor Setar, depicts a harmonious fusion of the state's past and present.

Off its western shores are clusters of the sun-drenched archipelago of Langkawi, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and home to many well-loved Malaysian legends.

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Treasured Malaysian Legends

Malaysia is home to many natural wonders, which are wreathed in legends. From popular island getaways to tranquil lakes and awe-inspiring mountains, there are fascinating stories behind them all.

Be enthralled by these mystifying tales, which have been told and retold over the years from one generation to the next. Rich in adventure and sagas about fairies, heroes, magic, curses and heavenly celestial beings, these legends are fascinating to all.

Interesting characters, some heroic, others destructive make these legends most engaging. You will be drawn into their stories soon, believed to have unfolded hundreds of years ago at various locations in Malaysia.

This particular collection of treasured Malaysian legends will be of interest to those who are generally fascinated by legends, adventure and magical stories. These enchanting tales have many local variations. I hope you enjoy the ones highlighted here.

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