MALAY LEGENDS

Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com1

MALAY LEGENDS

Get any book for free on:www.Abika.com

MALAY LEGENDS

Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com2

KampungNet, representing Singapore's Muslim community collects a handful of Malay LegendsaboutSingapore.

Long before Modern Singapore began, a vibrant Malay community was already in existencehere. And, like all communities, they too have their own legends and myths. Here are some of the more popular ones which are specific to Singapore:

The Lion City:

how Singapore got its name

Radin Mas:

the sad tale of a Javanese princess

The Invasion of the Swordfish

Badang:

a Malay Superman

The Fall of Singapore

MALAY LEGENDS

Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com3

How Singapore Got Its Name

Sometime during the 13th or 14th century, in the court of Palembang (in modern Indonesia),there lived a prince called Sang Nila Utama (who was also called Sri Tri Buana).It was a time of peace and a time of joy. The prince spent his days merry-making and huntingwild game. Bored and tired with the usual routine, he decided to set sail for the nearby islands insearch of new adventures.One day, during a hunting expedition, Sang Nila Utama saw a distant island. When told that itwas the island of Temasek, he made plans to sail for the island. Along the way, he encountered agreat storm which threatened to destroy his fleet. The ship’s captain ordered all heavy cargo tobe thrown overboard, hoping that a lighter vessel would help stabilise the ship.It was to no avail, and the ship appeared doomed to a watery grave. In desperation, the captainbegged Sang Nila Utama to throw overboard his heavy gold, bejewelled crown which he waswearing. This seemed to work and the ship and indeed the whole fleet was able to survive thestorm.The young prince eventually set foot on the island of Temasek, and he was pleased. The beachwas beautiful and white. There was also many birds and plants and bright and colourful flowersof all kinds.Suddenly, he saw a strange creature in the jungle, an animal that he and his party had never seenbefore. It was larger than a male deer, had a black head, a reddish body and a white chest. It wasfierce and swift of foot. It was simply magnificent.When told that he had just seen a lion, Sang Nila Utama decided to name the island

Singa Pura

,or the Lion City after the magnificent animal he saw and declared himself the ruler.

The Legend of Radin Mas Ayu

Long ago in the kingdom of Java, there lived a young Sultan and his brother named PangeranAdipati Agung. An able and strong man, the young Pangeran was much loved by his people.One day, during a palace celebration, the Pangeran fell in love with a beautiful dancer anddecided to marry her. However, his brother the Sultan objected because she was a commoner anda palace dancer. In spite of this, the young Pangeran decided to marry her secretly. The marriagebore them a beautiful daughter who they named Radin Mas Ayu.