My OperaSingapore Legend & Myths (Malay)
Friday, April 14, 2006 10:17:02 AM
Like all other communities, the Malays, they too have their own legends and myths. Here is one of the more popular ones for your knowledge.
How Singapore gets her name
During the 13th/14th century, in Palembang (situated in Indonesia) there lived a Prince called Sang Nila Utama aka Sri Tri Buana(who was the son of Raja Chulan, a great king of South India) Hunting wild animals and merry making was how he passed his time. Bored and tired with the usual 'Istana' (Palace) routines, he decided to set sail to a nearby island to search for new adventures.
While onboard the ship, Sang Nila Utama saw a small island, which he was told to be called 'Temasek'. He instructed his crews to stop at the island. While sailing, suddenly the sea turned violence, with great storm turning the great ship down, threatening to swallow the ship into the ocean. The Captain has thrown all cargoes and goods overboard hoping that it could lighten the ship's stability but it doesnt seems to work. He begged Sang nila Utama to throw overboard his heavy gold, bejeweled crown which the Prince was wearing. Ironically it seems to work, and they finally arrived to the island 'Temasek'.
It was a beautiful island with white beach, plants with bright flowers and birds chirping. Suddenly he saw a strange creature in the jungle, an animal which he has never seen before. It was large with black head, reddish body and white chest. It looks fierce and was passing bye arrogantly and it was simply magnificient.
He was then told by his assistant, the animal that he just saw was a lion. So Sang Nila Utama decide to name the island 'Singa Pura' (direct translation to English - Proud Lion) or Lion City and declared himself as the ruler.
So here's how we called our country...
Singapore (English)
Singapura (Malay)
Xing Jia Pore (Mandarin)
Singapor (Tamil)
John..lokutus-prime lokutus-prime # Friday, April 14, 2006 2:43:51 PM
Thanks for posting this. I did know the origin of the name (I was told that Singapore meant 'Lion City' when I first arrived there) but I did not know the colourful legend as to how it got that name. I must say that seeing it all on your blog now I am of course much wiser.
Great stuff. I like the layout of your posting and also the images that accompany it. You are doing well, LLL, please keep it up. Blogs like yours are interesting, colourful and fun to read!
LokuLearnsMore
Léazz leazz # Friday, April 14, 2006 2:49:58 PM
Honestly, I didnt read much about Singapore's history (shame on me) but since I started blogging,
freeD.von # Sunday, April 16, 2006 1:02:59 PM
haha
Léazz leazz # Sunday, April 16, 2006 1:42:06 PM
:clown:
E. Driver # Sunday, April 16, 2006 9:40:09 PM
Thanks for that interesting post.
See you
Elmar
Léazz leazz # Monday, April 17, 2006 12:39:19 PM
Thanks for visiting my blog, hope you enjoy the story.
See ya
Anonymous # Thursday, May 13, 2010 8:38:49 AM
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