THE MAGICAL LAKE OF THE PREGNANT
MAIDEN
Another prominent Langkawi legend
is a story of a pregnant maiden or Dayang Buntung . The legend is intricately
intertwined with the amorous exploit of Mat Teja, a male genie and Mambang
Sari, a beautiful female sprite.
Mambang Sari and her maids loved to
frolic at a cove called Teluk Lawak. One day, as he passing through, Mat Teja
caught a glimpse of Mambang Sari and was struck by her beauty that he
instantaneously fell passionately in love. Fearing his love might not be
reciprocated he sought Tok Dian’s advice, the local sage (Dian is old Malay for
candle).
To win her heart, Tok Dian informed
Mat Teja to wipe his face with mermaid tears. After following the instruction
diligently, Mat Teja swiftly sought after the love of his life. When Mambang
Sari saw him, she fell in love immediately and before long, they were happily
married.
During her pregnancy, Mambang Sari
sojourned at a serene lake, now famously known as Tasik Dayang Bunting or Lake
of the Pregnant Maiden. Soon it was time for Mambang Sari to give birth but the
baby died seven days later. In intense sorrow, she laid the body to rest in the
deep lake. Since then, villagers began to associate the lake with magical
powers. They believed the lake’s water possessed mystical ability of healing
barren women.
As time went on, another legend
that is closely connected to the magical powers of the lake emerged. A powerful
King came with his hunting entourage.Upon reaching the lake, Dayang Telani, the
King’s maid drank from it. Suddenly tempestuous wind, thunder and lightning
raged across the land. Soon after, dayang Telani was expecting but the King was
furious because her child was not naturally conceived. As a punishment, she was
sent to reside alone at the lake and there she gave birth to a handsome boy.
One day, she spotted a boat and as
she longingly looked on, her toddler accidentally drowned in the lake. In her
distress, Dayang Telani pleaded with the magical force of the lake to save her
boy and take her instead. Immediately , at the very spot the boy
drowned , emerged a white crocodile and Dayang Telani was instantly transformed
into a rock, now known as Batu Dayang or Maiden Stone, which looks like the
shape of a maiden lying on her back. Locals also believe the white crocodile
occasionally seen guarding the lake is actually Dayang Telani’s son.
Though many have allegedly caught
sight of the white crocodile, it is held that only the pure and innocent may do
so.
Located in an island south of
Langkawi , Tasik Dayang Bunting is Langkawi’s largest freshwater lake. Equipped
with modern conveniences, the lake is a cool and enjoyable destination for
picnics, water biking, swimming, canoeing or just basking in the lushness of
its surrounding beauty.
No comments:
Post a Comment