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Langkawi Folk TalesThe Fascinating MysteriesLangkawi is a mystic island with the purest white sands, clear tropical waters and sun

filled days. It's intriguing folk tales surrounds the island with a mysterious charm. This is an

island where fact and fiction intertwines. Langkawi is not only famous for its world

class resorts, beautiful beaches, age-old geological wonders of mysterious caves, mist-

shrouded mountains and mystical lakes...

... but also for its tales of warriors, wronged maidens, giant birds, ogres and fairy

princesses. Here are some of the famous folk tales of Langkawi.

Langkawi's Name | Mahsuri's Curse | The Field of Burnt Rice | The Fiery PhoenixThe Island of Pregnant Maiden | Islands' Names | Mat Cincang & Raya Mountains

The Ancient Tomb | The Seven Wells Waterfall | Sang Gedembai

Legend of Langkawi's Name

Local folklore has it that Langkawi derived its name from the eagle or "helang" as it is

known in the Malay language. "Lang" for short and in old Malay, "kawi" denotes reddish

brown - thus, Langkawi simply means reddish brown eagle. Where once, a group of 99

islands lay under a curse of a wrongly accused princess, there is today a new beginning, a

new light, and as result a new budding and thriving holiday hideaway. The Langkawi you

see today has been transformed almost beyond recognition. This is the legendary island

where now major international businessmen meet to form new ventures and conclude deals

whilst relaxing. The curse that lasted for seven generations can surely be said to have been

lifted.

The "kawi" also can be refer to the Malay word for "limestone". This unique limestone rock

formation is emerging from floor of the mangrove swamp surrounding Langkawi islands and

the sea.

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Mahsuri and The Langkawi Curse

The best-known folk tale of Langkawi is about Mahsuri. Mahsuri was a

pretty lady who cursed the island when she was wrongly accused of

adultery some 200 years ago.

Mahsuri was married to Wan Darus, son of the Chief of Langkawi. While

her husband went away to fight against the invading Siamese army, a

travelling male musician called Deraman came along. Mahsuri and

Deraman became good friends, causing her mother-in-law to accuse her

of having an affair with the musician. The villagers speculated too.

When her father-in-law, Dato Karma Jaya heard about the rumor from the villagers, he was

furious and ordered her to be sentenced to death. Despite her protests of innocence,

Mahsuri wasexecuted.

However, the swords and machetes used by the executors could not injure her. This is

believed to be a proof of her innocence. They kept trying but to no avail. Mahsuri then told

them to use a special sword kept in her house so that she could be executed. White

blood was seen gushing out of her wound during the execution, as further proof of her

innocence.

Mahsuri uttered her curse on Langkawi just before she died

"There shall be no peace and prosperity on this island for a period of seven generations."

Makam Mahsuri (Tomb of Mahsuri), located about 12km from Kuah.

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Local folks believed that the curse did come true, as Langkawi soon fell

to Siam and the residents died from starvation. The island became a

desolate place, beset by a series of natural disasters. After her death,

Mahsuri's husband and son moved to Phuket. Since the birth of

Mahsuri's seventh generation descendant in southern Thailand, the

curse is believed to be over. Pic: Wan Aishah - Mahsuri's 7th

Generation (Now live in Phuket).

Numerous development projects have been successfully implemented on the island, and

Langkawi has regained its splendor once more.

Padang Mat Sirat (The Field Of Burnt Rice)

In 1821, not long after Mahsuri's execution, Siam invaded Langkawi. To starve the

invading Siamese soldiers, Dato Karma Jaya ordered all the rice on the island be collectedand burnt in Padang Mat Sirat. This was a foolish move as villagers soon starved to death

due to lack of food.

Remnants of the burnt rice could still be seen in a cordoned area in Padang Mat Sirat,

Kampung Raha. The burnt rice is said to have been buried below ground before being burnt,

but often appears on the surface after a rainy day.

Beras Terbakar (Burnt Rice)

The Fiery Phonix

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The Cave of Stories is one of the many limestone caves situated along the north east coast

of Langkawi. You can reach the cave within 30 minutes by a boat ride. It is actually consists

of two caves, with one forming above the other.

You can see paintings on the outside wall, that is believed to be painted by the ancestors of

the aborigines of Australia. You can also see on the walls of the cave - ancient inscriptions

that resemble the holy verses of the Koran, although they are not legible enough to be

read.

There are several langkawi legends associated with the caves, one relating to a mythological

Malay character called Merong Maha Wangsa, and the emperors of Rome and China. This

story was said to have occurred during the heydays of the

Roman and Chinese empire. The rulers of these two countries

planned to marry off their children, in order to build an even

larger dynasty.

This was strongly opposed by the Garuda (Golden

Phoenix), who felt that the union will threaten smaller

kingdoms around the world. What the Garuda did to prevent

the marriage was to kidnapthe Chinese princess and hid her

in Gua Cerita.

The Golden Phoenix then attacked the Roman fleet commanded by an ogre called Merong

Maha Wangsa and the Roman prince, which was sent to rescue the princess.

The Garuda defeated Merong Maha Wangsa, but the Roman prince fell into the sea and was

washed to the cave where the Chinese princess was hidden.

He was united with his bride and they got married in the cave. When the Golden Phoenix

found out he was unsuccessful in stopping the marriage, he vanished from the world.

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The Legendary Mahsuri

Mahsuri is a victim of treachery and jealousy was sentenced to death in 1235 Hijrah or 1819 A.D. Asshe died, she laid a curse on the island: There Shall Be No Peace And Prosperity On This Island For A

Period Of Seven Generations.

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Rockhopper & African Penguins

The adorable littleRockhopper penguins were brought in from Nightingale island, some 2,000km westof South Africa. Believe it or not, the penguin costed RM26,700 each, excluding insurance and

shipping charges!

Real Rice Farmers

At the Roof Top Garden, where we saw adifferent type of rice growingin mini rice fields. You cantouch & feel the texture of the rice's leaf, but beware of the leeches!

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ROSZS COLUMN Langkawi Blog New Page Updates

My Other Websites

My Langkawi TripINSIDE LANGKAWI

Langkawi Geopark

Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands covering an area of 10,000 hectares, has been declared a geopark bythe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on June 1st, 2007.

1 Billion Years Old Stone!

The oldest stone that I've ever saw (and touched!) in my whole life was the 1 billion years olddropstone. Dropstone? What on earth is that? A stone that was dropped, huh?Yeap... sort of!

75% Hotel DiscountYou can instantly book your hotel, earn points and save money for your next hotel bookings anywhere

in the world!

Crazy Cable Car Ride

What's so crazy about theLangkawi Cable Car ride? You see, the cable car moved very fast to the topof the mountain on a 42 degree incline cable -- which of course, is a crazy ride for those who fear the

height!

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