APIFantasy | Myth and Folklore Anthology

Malaysian Mythology - Mythical Creatures and Legendary Figures

Mythical Creatures

Seri Gumum Dragon - a mythical dragon who lives in the Gunung Ledang waterfall and is believed to be the guardian of the area. Malaysia's own Loch Ness monster, some believe that it is a great Naga living below the calm waters of Tasik Chini in Pahang.

Kuda Semberani - a royal pegasus. It is a divine horse that flies at speeds so fast that it's akin to teleportation. For this reason, it is known to be the fastest object in the skies. According to Sejarah Melayu, Kuda Semberani answered only to Raja Suran - the king of a sea world called Negara Dika - who rode the flying stallion to travel back to the land from his underwater kingdom.

Orang Mawas - local Bigfoot that inhabits the forests of Johor.

Santu Sakai - monstrous werewolves in Kuala Lumpur. They are believed to have large fangs and cravings for fresh, red meat.

Á Bao A Qu - an invisible creature searching for a pure being. It originates from Malay mythology.

Sang Kelembai - a giantess that turns anything & anyone into stone. She is generally described as about thrice as big as a normal person and said to be ugly with thick eyebrows, a big fat nose, big elephant ears, and fangs.

Sang Kancil - one of the most prominent mythical creatures in Malaysian mythology. The word kancil means "mouse deer," a small herbivore living in East Malaysia and other countries. While small, these things are fast and flexible, making for fascinating folk stories.

Jinn - supernatural beings who are mentioned in the Quran and Islamic traditions. They can be good or evil and can possess or influence humans. Some Malays believe that certain places are haunted by jinn or that they can be summoned by bomohs.

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Important Figures from Legends

Siti Wan Kembang - a legendary queen who ruled over a kingdom in Kelantan and was said to have supernatural powers and a close bond with animals.

Badang - a legendary strongman who was said to have lifted a huge boulder and placed it near the Singapore River.

Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat - two famous warriors who served the Sultan of Malacca in the 15th century. Hang Tuah was loyal and obedient, while Hang Jebat rebelled against the Sultan after he wrongly ordered Hang Tuah's execution.

Mahsuri - a beautiful maiden who was falsely accused of adultery and executed in Langkawi. She cursed the island for seven generations before her blood turned white as a sign of her innocence.

Nunuk Ragang - a red banyan tree that was believed to be the origin of the Kadazan-Dusun people in Sabah. It was also the site of a great flood that separated the different tribes.

Princess of Mount Ledang - a mythical princess who lived on a mountain in Johor and was sought after by the Sultan of Malacca. She gave him seven impossible tasks to fulfill before she would marry him, but he failed to complete them.

Si Tanggang - a prodigal son who abandoned his poor parents after becoming rich and married a princess. He refused to acknowledge them when they came to visit him on his ship, and he was turned into stone along with his ship and crew.

Bisan - a female shaman who was the first human to receive the power of healing from Kinoingan. She taught other women how to become bobohizans and heal the sick.

Rangalau Kiulu Phantom - a ghostly figure who appears on the Kiulu River in Sabah. He is said to be the spirit of a warrior who died in battle and now guards the river against invaders.

Panglima Awang - a legendary sailor who was said to be the first Malay to circumnavigate the world. He was also known as Enrique of Malacca and was a translator for Ferdinand Magellan.

Datuk Keramat - a term for Muslim saints or holy men who are revered for their miracles and blessings. They are often associated with shrines or tombs that are visited by devotees.

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