THE ADVENTURES OF THE SINGING SEA CAPTAIN
In the early days, Malay seafarers were renowned for their
adventures on the high seas. Great sailors , these virile young men sailed
through uncharted territories to build their empires. One such man was Nakhoda
Ragam, a nakhoda or sea captain famed for his sea exploits around the Malay
Archipelago. Well known for his musical abilities Nakhoda Ragam was often seen
playing his set of musical instruments on his ship hence the nickname “ Singing
Captain”.
It is believed Nakhoda Ragam was the first person to give
Penang its name while trading in the Straits of Malacca from Lingga to Kedah.
As there was no higher or larger isolated island in his travels , he named it
Pulau ke Satu, directly translated as Single Island. He also gave name to other
bays, rivers and points on the island. Once, at the southwestern end of the
island, his kendi or water –pot fell into the sea and was immediately
transformed into island by a genre, which is now known as Pulau Kendi. On
leaving Pulau Kendi, Nakhoda Ragam pulled into a bay on the southern coastlines
of Penang.
At the month of the river that flows into the bay , he
released a tame bird called Bayan, which led to origins of Bayan Lepas. Similarly,
while passing Pulau Betong on the western coast of Penang, he encountered a
heavy gale. At, the one point, the storm grew fiercer and his wife’s face
turned place with fear. From then on the place was referred to as Pucat Muka ,
which means “ pale faced”.
Today visitors can visit the places Nakhoda Ragam named as
he travelled around Penang.Pulau Kendi is a beautiful uninhabited island famous
for its pristine natural surroundings. Bayan Lepas has emerged as a successful
and thriving industrial town in Penang. Nevertheless, hidden within Bayan Lepas
is Pantai Jerejak a beautiful stretch of beach along the fairly new highway
known as Lebuh Raya Kampung Jawa.
Here visitors can enjoy shady trees, powdery
white sand and a view of Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in the
world. As for Pulau Betong, it is a quaint fishing village that should not be
missed.
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