Malin Kundang

Malin Kundang (also called Si Tanggang or Nakhoda Manis) is a Southeast Asian 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.

Nakhoda Manis

In Brunei, the story is Nakhoda Manis and is associated with a prow-like rock, Jong Batu, in the Brunei River.^[3]

Si Tanggang

In Malaysia, the story is known as Si Tanggang (or Si Tenggang), being associated with the Batu Caves, some chambers of which are said to resemble a ship's cabins. ^[4] The Malaysian version is unique in that the protagonist, Tanggang, is an orang asli from the Temuan tribe who was abducted by slave traders.^[5] 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.^[6], ^[7], ^[8]

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 ^[9], 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.^[10], and 2009 Astro Malaysia Documentary. ^[11]

References

1. ^ Many Flowers: Primary Student Materials, Warren Brewer, Curriculum Corporation (Australia), 1995
2. ^ Indonesia, Justine Vaisutis, Lonely Planet Publications, 2007, ISBN 1741044359
3. ^ The tale of the unfilial son, Rozan Yunos, Brunei Times, Mar 30, 2007 mirror
4. ^ Stories of a people: asserting place and presence via Orang Asli oral tradition, Colin Nicholas, One-day Seminar and Exhibition on Orang Asli Oral Tradition, PPBKKM, FSSK, UKM, Bangi, 8 September 2004
5. ^ Kit Leee (2007). Tanah Tujuh: Close Encounters with the Temuan Mythos. Kuala Lumpur: Siverfish Books. ISBN 983-3221-13-0. 
6. ^ Full text of "Malay magic : being an introduction to the folklore ...
7. ^ Malay magic: an introduction to the folklore and popular religion of the ... By Walter William Skeat, Charles Otto Blagden
8. ^ Malay magic: an introduction to the folklore and popular religion of the ... By Walter William Skeat, Charles Otto Blagden
9. ^ Si Tanggang
10. ^ Muhammad Haji Salleh, interview, International Institute for Asian Studies
11. ^ Kisah klasik Si Tanggang anak derhaka di Astro Prima.

External links

• Nakoda Manis ASEAN Stories Project (story and photos of Jong Batu)