Mahsuri
The best
known legend of Langkawi is of Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived during the
reign of Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah the Second who ruled Kedah between
1762 and 1800. She died under tragic circumstances for a crime she did not
commit. She died a victim of a conspiracy plotted against her out of jealousy
by Mahura, her very own mother-in-law for her magnetic personality. Mahura
bitterly objected to her husband's intentions of taking Mahsuri as his second
wife and eventually agreed that their son, Mat Deris should seek the hand of
Mahsuri in marriage. Since than, Mahura had grown bitterly jealous of Mahsuri
for whom she bore much hatred.
In time,
Mahsuri gave birth to a baby boy and he was named Mat Arus. This inflamed
Mahura even more. Mahsuri was accused of committing adultery with Deramang, a
young troubadour who she befriended. The chieftain of Langkawi, Dato Karma
Jaya, her own father-in-law was so taken in by Mahura's accusation that,
without a proper investigation, he sentenced Mahsuri to death.
As proof
of her innocence, some people say, white blood was seen gushing out of her
wound during execution at Padang Hangus. Others maintain there was the sudden
appearance of white mist that enveloped the spot where she was executed, which
it was believed was a sign of mourning of her innocence.
Mahsuri
is best remembered for her curse on Langkawi which was uttered before she died.
She had said, "For this act of injustice Langkawi shall not prosper for
seven generations to come." The execution of Mahsuri was indeed a tragedy
of dramatic proportions. And her curse? Myth, legend or fantasy? History tells
us that within a few years of Mahsuri's death, Langkawi was devasted by the
Siamese and Datuk Seri Kerma Jaya and his entire family were killed. Rice
fields and granaries were completely set on fire.
To this
day, grains that appear to be burnt rice grains are still to be found at Padang
Matsirat. However, many believe the curse is now over with the numerous
development projects undertaken on the island.
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