The Legendary Langkawi Island

The legendary island, Langkawi Island or also known as the Isle of Legends. 

Why is it labelled as the legendary island? Let's look into some of the history and the legends of Langkawi Island. ^.^

1) Mahsuri

Mahsuri was the daughter of a Malay couple who moved from their native Phuket to the island of Langkawi in search of a better life. She was the most beautiful in all of Langkawi and married the warrior named Wan Darus. As was required of him, her husband had to go to war, leaving Mahsuri behind to fend for herself. It was during this time that Mahsuri befriended a young man named Deraman. The village chief's wife was jealous of Mahsuri's beauty. She spread a rumour that Mahsuri was unfaithful and was having an affair with Deraman in the absence of Wan Darus. Eventually the rumours grew strong enough that the villagers openly accused her of adultery. Mahsuri pleaded her innocence, but no one believed her. Mahsuri was to be tied to a tree (or pole) and stabbed to death but it didn't work. After every execution attempt failed, Mahsuri told them to kill her with her family's kris. When she was stabbed, white blood flowed from the wound, signifying her innocence. Some birds flew above her to cover her body. With her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck. The kingdom was soon taken over by Siam. The villagers at Padang Mat Sirat burned their own paddy fields rather than let them fall into the hands of the Siamese. Many locals of Langkawi believe the legend to be true, citing the decades of failed crops that followed Mahsuri's death. Langkawi was also attacked by Siam numerous times, the last invasion taking place in 1821. The field which was torched by the farmers is still known as Beras Terbakar or "burnt rice". It is only at the end of the 20th century, after the seven generations have supposedly come to pass, that Langkawi began to prosper as a tourist destination.

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2) The story of Telani and Telanai

The story of Telani and Telanai can be regarded as a myth or a folktale in Langkawi. Telani and Telanai tells about a love story that was shared by a castle maid named Telani with her lover, Telanai, who is a warrior. One after another disasters happened to their land, and the King (Sultan) blamed the relationship of Telani and Telanai are the reason to why the disasters are happening. Hence, the King instructed that Telani has to be outcasted to some unknown island named the Dayang Bunting Island and Telani gave birth to a baby boy there.  Not long after that, Telanai sailed and headed to that island as he deeply misses his wife, Telani and also their son. During his sail, suddenly the lightning struck non-stopingly accompanied by the thunder. Telani's son who was sleeping by the lake, woke up being terrified and fell down the lake. After the fog has disappeared, Telanai has turned into an island that is now known as the Tajai Island, while Telani turned into a big stone at the place where she was crying. According to the story, a white crocodile has been spotted frequently swimming between the Tajai Island and the big stone. It is said that the white crocodile is actually the couple's son that appeared in the form of a white crocodile.

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3) Telaga Tujuh (The Seven Wells)

It is believed that there were seven princesses that came from paradise and they often bathe there. They really love the coldness of the water. There was a prince that lived nearby it and tried to win the heart of one of the princesses, but failed. It is also believed that the water that came from these wells contains medical qualities.