Malin Kundang

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Malin Kundang (also called Si Tanggang and Nakhoda Manis) is a Southeast Asian folktale about retribution on an ungrateful son. A sailor from a poor family, the protagonist voyages to seek his fortune, becoming rich and marrying a princess. 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] In Malaysia, the story is Si Tanggang (or Tenggang), the disloyal child, the story being associated with the Batu Caves, some chambers of which are said to resemble a ship's cabins.[3] In Brunei, the story is Nakhoda Manis, and associated with a prow-like rock, Jong Batu, in the Brunei River.[4]

As a parable on family responsibility, the story is popular in Southeast Asia as a theme for animations, film, drama and literature. For instance, 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.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Many Flowers: Primary Student Materials, Warren Brewer, Curriculum Corporation (Australia), 1995
  2. ^ Indonesia, Justine Vaisutis, Lonely Planet Publications, 2007, ISBN 1741044359
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ The tale of the unfilial son, Rozan Yunos, Brunei Times, Mar 30, 2007 mirror
  5. ^ Muhammad Haji Salleh, interview, International Institute for Asian Studies

[edit] External links

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