THE LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES : Singapore

Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

The magical turtle

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Apart from Sentosa Island, Singapore comprises over 60 other
islands, several of which are accessible by boat. Hop on a southern island
cruise to explore Kusu Island (Kusu means ‘turtle’ in Hokkien dialect), which
remains tied to several legends. In one, a giant turtle saved a group of
sailors from rough waters by turning itself into an island. The sailors
returned the following year with offerings to show their gratitude. Today, the
island houses a Chinese temple and three Malay kramat, or holy shrines of Malay
saints. And how’s this for a little more magic? The island continues to attract
some 100,000 Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian pilgrims annually. These obscure
religious sites across Singapore also have far-reaching roots in history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>

The magical turtle

Apart from Sentosa Island, Singapore comprises over 60 other islands, several of which are accessible by boat. Hop on a southern island...

4:27:00 am

Sisters’ Islands

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lying south of Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands refer to Pulau
Subar Darat and Pulau Subar Laut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many years ago, there was a pair of sisters Minah and Linah
living by the southern coast of Singapore. Being very attached to each other,
the sisters vowed to marry two brothers so that they could live together
always. However, fate could be cruel sometimes, as one night Linah ran into a
group of pirates by the sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Stunned by her beauty, the pirate chief was determined to
marry Linah. When the dawn broke, the pirates came and abducted Linah to their
ships. Weeping over the loss of her dear sister, Minah came swimming after the
boats. The stormy waters were merciless, and she was drowned eventually. In a
desperate attempt, Linah broke free and dived into the sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day, a pair of islands appeared at where the
sisters had drowned. They were named Sisters’ Island by the villagers in memory
of the two ill-fated girls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References:Wikipedia</span></div>
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Sisters’ Islands

Lying south of Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands refer to Pulau Subar Darat and Pulau Subar Laut. Many years ago, there was a pair of si...

4:24:00 am

Singapura

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sang Nila Utama, or Sri Tri Buana, was once the ruler of the
Srivijaya Empire at Sumatra. According to legends, he went on an expedition in
the late 13th century, and discovered an island with white sandy shore. After
learning that the place was called Temasik (Temasek), Sang Nila Utama decided
to cross the waters to reach this newly discovered land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, a storm appeared out of nowhere and nearly capsized
the boat. In a desperate attempt, Sang Nila Utama threw his crown into the
turbulent waters. The weather and the sea immediately became calm, and the crew
reached Teluk Belanga (present-day Telok Blangah) safely. As they landed, a
strange beast was spotted from afar. Upon hearing that it was a lion, an
auspicious symbol, Sang Nila Utama was overjoyed and decided to name the island
Singapura, or Lion City.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The discovery was said to have happened in around AD1297,
and Sang Nila Utama went on to rule Singapura for 48 years before his death.
His palace and burial ground was located on top of Bukit Larangan, or Forbidden
Hill (present-day Fort Canning Hill).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia </span></div>
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Singapura

Sang Nila Utama, or Sri Tri Buana, was once the ruler of the Srivijaya Empire at Sumatra. According to legends, he went on an expedi...

4:22:00 am

Singapore’s Hercules

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another well-known Singapore folk tale? Enter Badang, a
Malay hero in ancient Singapore who may have been the country’s only answer to
Hercules, if at all. As a poor fisherman who lived on the banks of the
Singapore River, he would set a trap to catch fish every evening. When he
discovered a water jinn (spirit) had been stealing his fish, he trapped the
spirit, who promised to grant him any power if Badang ate whatever the spirit
threw up. His wish for superhuman strength was granted, and he was soon
appointed court warrior by the Sultan of Singapore. He was challenged to duel
the strongest man in India in a series of contests – the last of which being a
rock-throwing competition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Badang effortlessly flung a huge rock into the waters, and
it landed near the mouth of the Singapore River. Years after the legend had
been told, a rock was discovered at the same spot with an indecipherable
inscription. That rock was blown up to widen the river, but a fragment survives
today – and you’ll easily find the so-called Singapore Stone on display at the
National Museum of Singapore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Singapore’s Hercules

Another well-known Singapore folk tale? Enter Badang, a Malay hero in ancient Singapore who may have been the country’s only answer to...

4:20:00 am

Selegie

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The legend about Selegie Road is that it was the location of
many great battles that took place in ancient Singapore. When Temasek fell in
1377, the last ruler of the kingdom was believed to have fled via this road,
still a dirt track then, to Seletar. He escaped by the waters at the coast of
Seletar and never managed to launch a comeback in a bid to reclaim his
territories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the later years, a Bugis pirate tribe known as Orang
Selegie was said to have occupy the area around Selegie, where they made Mount
Sophia their home. The name Selegie may mean a Malay word that refers to a
sharpened and hardened wooden spear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Refrences Wikipedia</span></div>
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Selegie

The legend about Selegie Road is that it was the location of many great battles that took place in ancient Singapore. When Temasek f...

4:18:00 am

Redhill and Tanjong Pagar

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A long time ago, the southern coast of Singapore was
infested by numerous fierce swordfish. The villagers and fishermen could not
ply their trades at the sea, as they would be attacked by these fearsome
creatures if they ever ventured near the waters. The people requested help from
the Sultan, but even him and his royal army could not do anything about it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">redhill and swordfish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A little boy then proposed a solution to the Sultan. Build a
row of barricade made of banana tree trunks along the affected coast, he said.
When the swordfish tried to attack the villagers again, their pointed beaks
would pierce through the barricade and would be trapped immediately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The plan worked perfectly, and the smart boy became popular
among the villagers as their saviour. This invited jealousy from the Sultan.
Fearing his rule would be threatened in the future, he sent his soldiers to
kill the boy who lived on top of a hill. As the poor boy died, his blood flew
down the hill, soaking the whole hill red. This was how Redhill, or Bukit Merah
(literally means hill red), got its name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In turn, the place where the barricade of banana tree trunks
were set up became known as Tanjong Pagar, or “cape of stakes”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Refrences Wikipedia</span></div>
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Redhill and Tanjong Pagar

A long time ago, the southern coast of Singapore was infested by numerous fierce swordfish. The villagers and fishermen could not pl...

4:16:00 am

Pulau Blakang Mati

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The former name of Sentosa was Pulau Blakang Mati, where
Blakang Mati means “behind the dead” in Malay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No one knows exactly how the name of the island came about,
but there were many legends about its origin. According to one version, the
island was once a place of piracy and bloodshed in the past. The victims of the
murders haunted the island so much that it was given this not-so-auspicious
name. Another account was that the island was located “behind” Pulau Brani,
which was the burial ground of many ancient Malay warriors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nevertheless, Pulau Blakang Mati was renamed as Sentosa
(which means “isle of tranquility”) in 1972. With the island becoming a
favourite beach resort among Singaporeans and the tourists, the unhappy legends
were soon forgotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Pulau Blakang Mati

The former name of Sentosa was Pulau Blakang Mati, where Blakang Mati means “behind the dead” in Malay. No one knows exactly how t...

4:12:00 am

Kusu Island

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It is said that in the early 19th century, two holy men went
to Kusu Island on a pilgrimage trip. A bond of friendship was forged between
the Arab Dato Syed Rahman and the Chinese Yam during their stay on the island.
However, Yam became ill one day, and they were running out of their food
supplies. Syed Rahman did not abandon his friend and instead stayed and prayed
for his recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Miraculously, a boat containing food and water appeared by
the shore, and Yam recovered from his illness. The grateful pair returned to
Kusu regularly as a gesture of gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another version was that a giant tortoise miraculously
appeared to save a group of Chinese and Malay fishermen, who were on the verge
of drowning after their fishing boats sank in the stormy weather. The tortoise
turned itself into an island so that the fishermen could climb ashore. In order
to remember their gratitude to the holy tortoise, the fishermen built a Chinese
temple and a Malay shrine on the island.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References:Wikipedia </span></div>
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Kusu Island

It is said that in the early 19th century, two holy men went to Kusu Island on a pilgrimage trip. A bond of friendship was forged be...

4:07:00 am

Jewels in the Tale

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a marvellous and
mischievous production, featuring a very carefully selected collection of Asian
folklore from around the region such as The Crane’s Gratitude from Japan,
Tenali Raman and the Three Thieves from India, and The Four Dragons from China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Each tale incorporates elements of Japanese Noh, Classical
Indian Dance, Chinese opera blended with western styles of broad slapstick fun
and energy. With energetic physical theatre, masks and puppetry, fun, colour
and music, this is drama that will enthral and entertain both young and old
alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span>

Jewels in the Tale

\ is a marvellous and mischievous production, featuring a very carefully selected collection of Asian folklore from around the regio...

4:05:00 am

Crouching tiger, hidden past

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n-vta6h1IgxNojZNY7iqWcZaIdNsm6damZxCrV_GBONFVus3xhlCFlLJ4aCn0pqYcQzQlP1LqJbtE99NekH6SrkxFyT67EXwMKQUvjmhRc9nPS-jTflZKcylQq8H8R-tN2_ORenqQCed/s1600/Crouching+tiger%252C+hidden+past.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="187" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3n-vta6h1IgxNojZNY7iqWcZaIdNsm6damZxCrV_GBONFVus3xhlCFlLJ4aCn0pqYcQzQlP1LqJbtE99NekH6SrkxFyT67EXwMKQUvjmhRc9nPS-jTflZKcylQq8H8R-tN2_ORenqQCed/s320/Crouching+tiger%252C+hidden+past.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We know today that Singapore was never home to lions, but
the Malayan tiger. Still, the (kitschy, if we may) Merlion – with its lion’s
head and body of a fish – remains one of the country’s icons. You’ll find five
official Merlion statues ’round Singapore – two of which are located at the
Merlion Park in One Fullerton. Psst: There’s plenty to see and do in the Marina
Bay area besides Merlion-spotting. More curious about Singapore’s tiger lore?
In 1902, the last tiger in Singapore was shot while cowering under a table in
Raffles Hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Crouching tiger, hidden past

We know today that Singapore was never home to lions, but the Malayan tiger. Still, the (kitschy, if we may) Merlion – with its lion’s...

4:03:00 am

Bukit Merah, the hill that was painted red with blood

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDtJKoWMDoWpl_Yq1fWuEr4pEO_L3iZDCNLbEMXrxXqAtNhqvmHs6m3imyt16Q5M0CTz_pbxoNVMYlC3aDeScqF5flBLh1_kJgvhgU9IbWDyvyVp2RV2qnCCiRvhueHNcN4xIwrcZqULe/s1600/Bukit+Merah%252C+the+hill+that+was+painted+red+with+blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="232" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDtJKoWMDoWpl_Yq1fWuEr4pEO_L3iZDCNLbEMXrxXqAtNhqvmHs6m3imyt16Q5M0CTz_pbxoNVMYlC3aDeScqF5flBLh1_kJgvhgU9IbWDyvyVp2RV2qnCCiRvhueHNcN4xIwrcZqULe/s320/Bukit+Merah%252C+the+hill+that+was+painted+red+with+blood.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hang Nadim was a bright young boy who witnessed his humble
villagers and fishermen being attacked by swordfish (or garfish in some
accounts) and suggested a clever solution to put an end to the terror.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, the ruler felt threatened and jealous of the boy
and ordered for him to be executed. Hang Nadim lived on top of a hill and upon
his death, this blood was soaked in by the hill. This tale apparently gave
Bukit Merah, Redhill and Tanjong Pagar their names. (Read the history behind
other district names here!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Bukit Merah, the hill that was painted red with blood

Hang Nadim was a bright young boy who witnessed his humble villagers and fishermen being attacked by swordfish (or garfish in some acc...

4:01:00 am

Badang and the Singapore Stone

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_oZKvn1K-vYEyEJFYzDvOZTMg8DUhtkpzxv9yy17CiOEjBiTfwDKjg8kItgNAsd6X81A7C9tsiYquhAijyaPXwwx0Ykovwwj_MlLjo05Q7bqhtae3pvzmKvkDwO-bI178p7Qd9KRSoO4/s1600/Badang+and+the+Singapore+Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_oZKvn1K-vYEyEJFYzDvOZTMg8DUhtkpzxv9yy17CiOEjBiTfwDKjg8kItgNAsd6X81A7C9tsiYquhAijyaPXwwx0Ykovwwj_MlLjo05Q7bqhtae3pvzmKvkDwO-bI178p7Qd9KRSoO4/s280/Badang+and+the+Singapore+Stone.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">According to local Malay folklore, Badang began as a poor
fisherman who plied his trade at mouth of the Singapore River. One day he
caught a genie in his fishing net, and in return of his release, the genie
granted Badang’s wish to be the strongest man alive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Impressed with Badang’s enormous strength, the Rajah of
Singapura appointed him as the imperial warrior. Soon, other kingdoms heard of
Badang’s fame and sent their warriors to challenge him. The king of India, in
particular, sent his kingdom’s strongest man Wadi Bijaya to Singapura for a
duel. In the last contest, Badang beat Wadi Bijaya by lifting a huge rock and
throwing it towards the Singapore River.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ancient inscriptions were added to the rock, probably to
commemorate Badang’s achievements but centuries later in 1843, the British
colonial government blasted it to pieces. Known as the Singapore Stone, only a
fragment remains, and is now kept in the Singapore History Museum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Reeferences: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Badang and the Singapore Stone

According to local Malay folklore, Badang began as a poor fisherman who plied his trade at mouth of the Singapore River. One day he ...

3:58:00 am

A Lion City, birthed

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQjXagpw_36fMLrRHoePL-OIArSzHUQyZd-2eLgdJTQAkXMJwU_nrjTF7_aq6Zhbv8o9vO8Tpd5H6Uz01M4AWYaZ9tMr3qaK1cAQIAUOtBayNIJXBye0eU5_WhQM6zDJJ4FvqzRvVq54G/s1600/A+Lion+City%252C+birthed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="296" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQjXagpw_36fMLrRHoePL-OIArSzHUQyZd-2eLgdJTQAkXMJwU_nrjTF7_aq6Zhbv8o9vO8Tpd5H6Uz01M4AWYaZ9tMr3qaK1cAQIAUOtBayNIJXBye0eU5_WhQM6zDJJ4FvqzRvVq54G/s280/A+Lion+City%252C+birthed.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This one’s a favourite among many locals, even if it’s no
longer told: Back in the 1200s, a prince of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire –
Sang Nila Utama – was hunting on an island close to the then-undiscovered
Singapore. He chased a deer to the top of a cliff and spotted another island
across the sea, which his chief minister said was called Temasek (Singapore’s
traditional name), or ‘Sea Town’ in Old Javanese.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The prince returned to his ship to make the crossing to
Temasek, but a violent storm forced him and his men to discard heavy items into
the sea to stop the ship from sinking. This didn’t seem to help, so the prince
was urged to throw his crown overboard to appease the sea. He relented, and the
storm quickly abated, allowing them to arrive on the shores of Temasek. The
prince soon spotted a wild animal with an orange mane. His minister claimed it
was a lion, or ‘singha’ (the Sanskrit word for lion). Believing it to be a good
omen, the prince decided to stay on the island and named the island
‘Singapura’, or, ‘Lion City’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">references Wikipedia</span></div>
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A Lion City, birthed

This one’s a favourite among many locals, even if it’s no longer told: Back in the 1200s, a prince of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire – Sa...

3:56:00 am