Legend of Gunung Ledang
Encyclopedia
Also see : Location Gunung Ledang, theater Puteri Gunung Ledang (musical)
, 2004's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
, 1961's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
The Legend of Gunung Ledang revolves around a princess that allegedly lived on Mount Ophir
or Gunung Ledang in Johor
, Malaysia.
Some versions of the legend say that the Sultan was not able to fulfill any of these requests, while others say that he was able to fulfill the first six requests (thus causing the ruin of the Malacca Sultanate
) but could not fulfill the final request which would have required him to kill his son. The point of the story is that the Sultan was either too proud or too blind to realise that the conditions were the Puteri's way of turning his proposal down.
Some say that remnants of the gold and silver bridge still exist, but have been reclaimed by the forest.
and China
. In the 14th Century, the Chinese seafarers plying the Straits of Melaka called it ‘Kim Sua’ meaning the ‘Golden Mountain’. The mountain was named ‘Gunung Ledang’, which means ‘mount from afar’, during the period of the Majapahit empire. There even locals who claimed the Malacca
did built the golden bridge connecting to the mountain, it is now buried under the ground of the site.
and two movies; 1961's Puteri Gunong Ledang (film) and 2004's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
, all produced based on the story of the legend but varies in version of story including:
Puteri Gunung Ledang (musical)
Puteri Gunung Ledang is a Malaysian musical directed by Zahim Albakri, co-directed by Adlin Aman Ramlie, book by Saw Teong Hin and music composed by Dick Lee. The musical is based on the 2004 Puteri Gunung Ledang film. The original production was staged at the Istana Budaya in February 2006, this...
, 2004's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang is a 2004 Malaysian epic fantasy period film directed by Saw Teong Hin and based on the Legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang, a Indonesian legend about a Princess who lived on top of Gunung Ledang and a Malaccan Sultan's effort to court her. The film stars Tiara Jacquelina, M...
, 1961's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang is a 2004 Malaysian epic fantasy period film directed by Saw Teong Hin and based on the Legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang, a Indonesian legend about a Princess who lived on top of Gunung Ledang and a Malaccan Sultan's effort to court her. The film stars Tiara Jacquelina, M...
The Legend of Gunung Ledang revolves around a princess that allegedly lived on Mount Ophir
Mount Ophir
Mount Ophir, or more commonly known by its Malay name, Gunung Ledang, is a mountain situated in the Gunung Ledang National Park located in Ledang District , Malaysia. The summit is located between the border of Muar and Malacca. Standing at 1,276 m , with a clear trail leading to the peak, the...
or Gunung Ledang in Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, Malaysia.
Conditions of marriage
The Sultan had heard of her beauty and wanted to marry her but she set seven impossible conditions for him. The conditions were:- A golden bridge for her to walk to Malacca from the mountain,
- A silver bridge for her to return from Malacca to the mountain,
- Seven jars of virgin's tears,
- Seven bowls of betel nut juice,
- Seven trays filled with hearts of fleas,
- Seven trays filled with hearts of mosquitoes, and
- A bowl of the blood of the Sultan's young son.
Some versions of the legend say that the Sultan was not able to fulfill any of these requests, while others say that he was able to fulfill the first six requests (thus causing the ruin of the Malacca Sultanate
Malacca Sultanate
Established by the Malay ruler Parameswara, the Sultanate of Malacca was first a Hindu kingdom in 1402 and later became Muslim following the marriage of the princess of Pasai in 1409. Centered in the modern town of Malacca, the sultanate bordered the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam in the north to...
) but could not fulfill the final request which would have required him to kill his son. The point of the story is that the Sultan was either too proud or too blind to realise that the conditions were the Puteri's way of turning his proposal down.
Some say that remnants of the gold and silver bridge still exist, but have been reclaimed by the forest.
Further legend
Further legend has it that the princess eventually married one Nakhoda Ragam, a hero whose name unfailingly struck terror into the hearts of those who had dared to oppose him. However, this hero was later to die at the hands of his princess-wife. Ragam was fond of tickling the Princess’s ribs. One day, in an uncontrollable burst of anger, the Princess stabbed her husband in the breast with a needle she was handling. Thereafter, the Princess returned to Mount Ophir and vowed never to set her eyes on another man. Ragam’s boat, not long after, was crushed during a storm and legend has it that the debris of the wreck was transformed into the present six islands off Malacca. It was claimed that the boat’s kitchen became Pulau Hanyut, the cake-tray Pulau Nangka, the water-jar Pulau Undan, the incense-burner Pulau Serimbun, the hen-coop Pulau Burong, and the honeymoon cabin of Ragam and the Princess became Pulau Besar.Gunung Ledang
Ancient history and myth points to the Gunung Ledang mountain being the site of rich gold deposits, luring traders from as far as GreeceGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In the 14th Century, the Chinese seafarers plying the Straits of Melaka called it ‘Kim Sua’ meaning the ‘Golden Mountain’. The mountain was named ‘Gunung Ledang’, which means ‘mount from afar’, during the period of the Majapahit empire. There even locals who claimed the Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
did built the golden bridge connecting to the mountain, it is now buried under the ground of the site.
Adaptations in Theater and Movie
A few adaptations of the story have been made, the theater musical play; Puteri Gunung Ledang (musical)Puteri Gunung Ledang (musical)
Puteri Gunung Ledang is a Malaysian musical directed by Zahim Albakri, co-directed by Adlin Aman Ramlie, book by Saw Teong Hin and music composed by Dick Lee. The musical is based on the 2004 Puteri Gunung Ledang film. The original production was staged at the Istana Budaya in February 2006, this...
and two movies; 1961's Puteri Gunong Ledang (film) and 2004's Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang (film)
Puteri Gunung Ledang is a 2004 Malaysian epic fantasy period film directed by Saw Teong Hin and based on the Legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang, a Indonesian legend about a Princess who lived on top of Gunung Ledang and a Malaccan Sultan's effort to court her. The film stars Tiara Jacquelina, M...
, all produced based on the story of the legend but varies in version of story including:
- Puteri Gunong LedangPuteri Gunong LedangPuteri Gunong Ledang is a 1961 Malaysian period film directed by S. Roomai Noor and based on the Legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang. The film introduces actress Elaine Edley in her first film role.-Plot:...
, a 19611961 in filmThe year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with West Side Story winning 10 Academy Awards.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:* Atlantis, the Lost ContinentB...
black-and-white Malaysian film starring Elaine Edley. - Puteri Gunung LedangPuteri Gunung Ledang (film)Puteri Gunung Ledang is a 2004 Malaysian epic fantasy period film directed by Saw Teong Hin and based on the Legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang, a Indonesian legend about a Princess who lived on top of Gunung Ledang and a Malaccan Sultan's effort to court her. The film stars Tiara Jacquelina, M...
, a 20042004 in filmThe year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
lavish Malaysian film adaptation starring Tiara JacquelinaTiara JacquelinaTiara Jacquelina Eu Effendi is a Malaysian actress and film producer. She rose to fame in Puteri Gunung Ledang, the biggest budget movie in Malaysia to date, in which she played the lead role, and sang the theme song, "Asmaradana"...
and M. NasirM. NasirMohamad Nasir Mohamad or M. Nasir , is a Malaysian poet, singer-songwriter, composer, producer, actor and film director.-Career:...
. - Puteri Gunung LedangPuteri Gunung Ledang (musical)Puteri Gunung Ledang is a Malaysian musical directed by Zahim Albakri, co-directed by Adlin Aman Ramlie, book by Saw Teong Hin and music composed by Dick Lee. The musical is based on the 2004 Puteri Gunung Ledang film. The original production was staged at the Istana Budaya in February 2006, this...
, a 2006 stage musical based on the 2004 film, starring Tiara Jacquelina and Stephen Rahman-HughesStephen Rahman-HughesStephen Rahman-Hughes is an English actor who currently stars as DCI Vikesh Dasari in ITV's Emmerdale. He has previously starred in Bad Girls, Doctors and Sky One Dream Team...
.