I recently watched Magika (malay for magical), a film about Ayu who went searching for Malik, her brother who got lost in the forest behind their grandmother’s house.
Both of them entered a magical world (aptly called Majika) where they met characters in Malay folklore. It is interesting how almost all the Malay mythical characters crossed path with Ayu and Malik in the film.
Although, some of these characters were exaggerated or had been given a modern twist in the film, the music was delightful, scenery breath-taking, and most importantly, the film brought back memories of childhood days when I used to listen to the stories of Badang, Puteri Bunian and Nenek Kebayan.
Based on the film, here are my top three memorable characters of Malay folklore and their modern day equivalent.
Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah
Literally translated as ‘Garlic, Shallot’ or ‘White Onion, Red Onion’, this is the story of two step sisters.
Bawang Putih was the good and kind daughter, while Bawang Merah was the cruel and vindictive one (although in Magika, the two sisters were portrayed as being very close and good friends).
Bawang Merah and her mother treated Bawang Putih cruelly. Bawang Putih endured every mistreatment patiently. And as with all stories where good would always triumph over evil, Bawang Putih was finally whisked away by a prince and they lived happily ever after.
Animation of the story of Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah
Modern day Bawang Putih and Bawang Merah would be any two characters of opposing characters (one good, one evil) who would eventually learn that being patient is a virtue and that it doesn’t pay to be mean.
Nenek Kebayan
This old woman is believed to have a slight hunchback, knowledgeable about nature and its wonders and used herbs to cure illnesses.
She sometimes acted as a midwife in the remote village where she stayed. Her knowledge of black magic and the occult made many people believe that she was a witch who kidnapped children to use them as ingredients in her magic potion.
In Magika, Nenek Kebayan (albeit a sexy one) kidnapped young children and used their tears to make a potion for everlasting youth.
I remember this guessing game Malay children and teens played in the olden days called ‘Nenek si bongkok tiga’ or the hunchback grandmother.
‘Nenek si bongkok tiga’ Game
The modern day Nenek Kebayan could be the vampy Hollywood film character Alvira, Mistress of the Dark with her long black hair and her recipe book of spells.
And the top spot goes to…
Puteri Gunung Ledang
This Princess of Mount Ophir stole the heart of Sultan Mahmud of Malacca in Malaysia and demanded seven impossible gifts from him:
- A golden bridge from her home in the mountain to Malacca
- A silver bridge for her to return from Malacca to the mountain
- Seven large clay jars of virgins’ tears
- Seven large clay jars of young betel nut juice
- Seven trays filled with hearts of fleas
- Seven trays filled with hearts of mosquitoes, and
- A bowl of the blood of the Sultan's young son
Before you label the Princess as an uber demanding woman, you should know that when the Sultan tried to sacrifice his son, the Princess appeared before him, stopped him from committing the sinful act and condemned him of his action.
It was believed that her preposterous demands were just an excuse to reject Sultan Mahmud’s marriage proposal.
A modern day equivalent of Puteri Gunung Ledang could perhaps refer to any materialistic high maintenance diva.
But like the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, our diva could actually be a kind woman with a heart of gold.
* Photo credit: http://www.thenutgraph.com/tiaras-malaysian-dream/
* Check out Hidayah's other blogs on SGK here
Hidayah Amin | 30 January 2012
