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It
is always says that, the multi races Malaysian society
has created an ideal environment to the country to
nurture a rich cultural background with lot of legends.
This is especially obvious in name of places.
Due
to its strategic location, Redang Archipelago was once a
traders' passage-by between Siam (Thailand today) and
the Malaya Archipelago. It was a temporary anchorage for
them in their miles long trading journey.
Among
these passers-by, there was a trader from Terengganu,
Awang Sulong Muda whose wife was Cik Hitam Pasir Panjang
Muda Elok Terenganu. The Awang couples together with
their lady-in-waiting, Dayang Sri Jawa and Hulubalang,
Awang Selamat were used to stop and had their break in
Redang Island in their trading route. They tided the
fowls which they brought along at southeastern of the
island which is called Pasir Macam Ayam (chicken-alike
sand) today. The rock that this family tided their fowls
is still standing there in the island until today, but
one might wonder the size of the fowls when looking at
the huge size of this rock.
Other
than this fowls tided rock, there are two other rocks
both embedded with each other standing on a hill in
Teluk Kalong. These embedded rocks look very much like
the rears of an elephant and therefore are called Batu
Gajah (elephant rocks) by the local. Batu Gajah is
believed to be the marine elephants or Gajah Laut which
were turned into stones due to some unknown reasons.
The
cultural rich condition in Malaysia has further enriched by
mythos found in folk’s believes. The existence of Orang Bunian
(the fairies) in legendary stories is no longer an unfamiliar
topic.
In
Redang Island, Orang Bunian were said to have resided at the
five cluster stones, Batu Surat or Batu Bedung (letter stones)
near Pasir Changar Hutang. It was very usual in those days that
the villagers will come to these Orang Bunian to inform them of
any kenduri
(banguet) to be held. They will also inform the fairies of the
number of guests expected. Then, on the day of the kenduri,
a full set of crockery will appear from nowhere for the kenduri
purposes.
Not
far from here is another group of rocks, the Batu Tok Kong
which, is a worshiping place for some devotees due to the belief
that there are Orang Bunian reside here.
To
the southeastern of the island is another worship rock, Tanjung
Telaga Batu. The worshipping practices started due to a saying
that there stayed a man called Syeikh Samarani who would grant
requests. No one can tell how true is the saying but up to late
1970’s, there were still people placing their offering and
requesting for favours.
The
legendary of Redang Archipelago will never be completed if
without the turtle like stone laying on top of a rock at Tajung
Batu Pepanji, somewhere between Teluk Dalam and Pasir Changar
Hutang. This turtle stone is said to be the guardian of all the
turtles in Redang Waters.
Whether
the fragrant reported by the villagers came from Puteri Mayang
Mas who is reputed to reside at Pasir Mak Kepit or there are
magic which made the water puddle in Pasir Gontang supplies
inexhaustible water, it is all suggesting a room for the readers
to imagine and buy-in. However this will never influence the
mysterious of Redang Archipelago, instead has become part of its
heritage which added to the fascination of these islands.
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