hikayat merong mahawangsa

how many kedahan actually read this piece? 

hah!  shame on you...

this piece is about the history of Kadaram, which is known as Kedah today, from the opening of the country, yes it was a country, and the line of the founder's descendent. the story follows from Raja Merong Mahawangsa, founder of Kadaram, through to Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah(the 21st Sultan of Kedah).

it is obvious that the myths and legends in this piece is dominant, but nevertheless the historical writing is equally valid. these myths and legends can be analysed and interpreted for a better understanding. i suppose why it embraces myths and legends is for this piece to be interesting as not until recent times, it is neither art nor science, but mere entertainment. these m&l gives us a good picture of the morality and mindset of the past. 

another thing to be note in about this piece is the lack of time setting and frame. it had been totally neglected so it is up to us to match the story line to the time line. 

there are a few versions of this piece. 3 edition that i have hold of is by R. J. Wilkinson [there is one copy in Muzium Negeri Kedah], A. J. Sturrock, and Sir W. Maxwell. these versions varied in their emphasis on different issues as such examples:-

1. the messenger, that brought the news of Raja Rum is to be in-laws with Emperor of China, is burung kakak tua (parrot) in Maxwell while in other versions, it is burung rajawali (eagle).
2. the love story between Raja Seri Inderawangsa and the giant princess. more is said about this love story in Maxwell than other versions. [Raja Ong Maha Perita Deria, aka, Raja Bersiung, is an evil spawn of Raja Seri Inderawangsa and the giant princess]. 

the influences on this pieces range from the local animistic believe at that time and islam religion. the tale of Raja Buluh Betung came from the local myth. Raja Bersiung has undeniable similarity with the indian tale of Maha Satasoma-Jataka (both had a taste for the flesh and blood of men). sheikh Abdullah's expedition is probably a work of a javanese writer. Seri Rama and Hanuman most probably come from the Siamese wayang kulit, also from the Hikayat Seri Rama itself. the appearances of Nabi Allah Sulaiman from the obvious influence of islam. 

according to this piece, Raja Merong Mahapudisat's 4 offspring then rule 4 different countries or states. the youngest prince remain in kedah to rule kedah, the eldest to up north to rule Siam, 2nd prince south to find Perak, and princess to the east to establish Patani. of course is it much disputed whether this is really any truth to it. perhaps a DNA test?    by the way, the official document of Kedah's Royal linage starts from Sultan Mudzaffar Shah 1 only (the 1st Sultan to convert to Islam). 

this disgust me. they (malaysia generally) try so very hard to discard and bury anything that is non islam today. they are wasting all the so ever colourful history and priceless antiques. a time and a place where animism, hinduism and islam blends out perfectly like a good cuppa blend. the lembah bujang is a very important archeology site which should be studied. but it is left to sit alone beside a rummage fishing village in merbok. i am so disgusted right now. i shall stop.

anyway, nice book, good for light reading.

speaking of...

it snowed in london, but not in my place. all i got was rain. yes, i'm not a big fan of the cold yet i would like to have something in return to compensate my dreaded nemesis. and yes, the cold is a source of my anguish. therefore, the mystery of my absences from school is revealed.