The Origin of Kuala Kangsar
Kuala Kangsar is Bandar Diraja Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia, located about 48 kilometers South of Ipoh. Topographically, the region of Kuala Langsar has fertile lands. There is a deciduous forest with Perak River outstretching from upper course of Perak to Malacca strait. The river‘s length is about 400 kilometers. It has many tributaries that empty to several regions. This place is always visited by both foreign and domestic tourists for its picturesque scenery.
According to some legends, the name of Bandar Diraja, which is called recently as Kuala Kangsar, is the name given by Sultan Muzaffar Shah . What is the Muzaffar Shah‘s reason for naming the region with Kuala Kangsar? Do you want to know the answer? Read the whole story in Asal Mula Nama Kuala Langsar (The Origin of Kuala Kangsar) below!
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Once upon a time, Negeri Perak (Perak Land) was ruled by a Sultan named Sultan Muzaffar Shah. He often made a journey to go along the edge of Perak River and its tributaries which flowed through the dense forest. It was done for searching for a new place for his kingdom. He felt that his people need a different ambience for staying.
One day, Sultan Muzaffar Shah, together with his treasurers and some of his guardsmen, walked in the seashore of Malacca strait. When they arrived at the estuary of Perak River, he ordered all his followers to stop for taking a rest.
“Set up some refreshment tents!” uttered Sultan Muzaffar Shah.
Some of guardsmen rushed to build several tents while the rest looked for the surroundings.
“What a beautiful land here. What do you think if I established a palace here for the central government” commented Sultan Muzaffar Shah.
“I am sorry My Majesty! Seemingly, this land doesn‘t fit the ideal land for a kingdom. The land is not fertile” answered the treasurer.
“What he said just now is right My Majesty. I don‘t want to oppose your opinion, but it is better for us to have a look another land which is more fertile,” proposed another treasurer.
“Well, then, we leave this land in the early tomorrow morning. Bring what we need. Prepare the foods and drinks. Don‘t forget to feed our horses so that we can ride them tomorrow!” commanded Sultan Muzaffar Shah.
“But My Majesty, where will we go tomorrow? We have no idea about another place or land in this forest,” asked a guardsman to the Sultan wonderingly.
“We have been here looking around but no place that fits,” added another guardsman.
“Hmm….Yes we have been traveling for several days. But we should keep searching. We will go along Perak River. Who knows that along the river, we will find a better land for staying,” answered Sultan Muzaffar Shah.
In the next day, Sultan Muzaffar Shah and his entourage decided to sail rather than walk on the land. The guardsmen searched for a ship, put all of the stuff including the horses to the ship. Under the command of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, they sailed along the Perak River. After days of sailing, they arrived at a big lubuk (pool) of clear and fresh water. On the dock, they could see shoal of freshwater fishes swimming as if those fishes were playing seek and hide. Around the lubuk, some dense trees and bushes laid, making the land very attractive.
“Hmmm…what an attractive place it is,” shouted the treasurer.
“it is so amazing,” added the treasurer.
“That‘s right. It is the better place for establishing a kingdom here. There are lot of sources for live in this place,” said Sultan Muzaffar Shah, justifying what the treasurer had said.
Soon after Sultan Muzaffar and his treasurer commended the place, the ship that they boarded collided with something big and solid, making it almost capsized. One of the guardsmen was tossed aside and flung out the ship.
“Catch him!!!” said the ship commander. Some of the guardsmen tried to save him but they didn‘t make it.
“What‘s happened?” said Sultan Muzaffar Shah in a panic.
“I am sorry My Majesty. It seems that our wooden ship has collided with something big, it could be a rock,” answered the ship commander. “We will find it soon. My Majesty,” added the commander while ordering his crew to swim into the water.
“Hurry up, find out what has made our ship stop!” commanded the Sultan.
After a while the treasurer said to one of the ship crew who was ordered to go down by the commander “What‘s happened here? “
“Look Sir! There are some big animals down here, blocking the ships‘ way,” said the guardsman, pointing to the sea water.
“Oh my God, that is a crocodile,” said the treasurer in a fright.
“You are right Sir. That is a big crocodile,” asserted the guardsman.
“O……Woe to us!! It will be dangerous for all of us. I have to report this to the Sultan,” said the treasurer while running to Sultan Muzaffar Shah who sat in the dock of the ship.
“Forgive me My Majesty! In the water, there are some big crocodiles,” said the treasurer, reporting what he had seen on the water to the Sultan.
“What did you say just now?...crocodiles?” asked the Sultan in loud voice, trying to make sure.
“That is right My majesty! They outnumber us. So many..,” answered the treasurer.
“Then……let‘s leave this place. I think it is not a safe place to stay especially for my people,” commanded the Sultan, apprehensive about the safety of his crew.
Afterwards, Sultan Muzaffar Shah and his entourage continued the journey, sailing along the stream of Perak River. Before leaving the lubuk, Sultan Muzaffar Shah named the place as “Lubuk Buaya” (Pool of Crocodiles)
“How many kuala we have already passed?” asked the Sultan to his treasurer.
“It has been eight My Majesty,” answered the treasurer.
“Seemingly, we have not found the suitable place yet for our kingdom. Hmmm….but we have to keep searching. As long as for my people, I don‘t mind to pass through all this,” said the Sultan feeling disappointed.
Sultan Muzaffar Shah and the entourage still kept searching enthusiastically. Days passed, tens kuala had been sailed, no suitable place they found. But, nothing blocked their way to search and search.
“My treasurer, and all of my guardsmen…..keep sailing and searching.. we will never go back before we find out the right place!!” yelled Sultan Muzaffar Shah, encouraging his people who seemed so tired.
One day, the Sultan Muzaffar‘s entourage arrived at the small river. Its water was cold and so clear, looked like a mirror. They saw some people taking bath in the kuala of that small river. Sultan Muzaffar had a close look at the place, and thought that it could be the better place for his kingdom. But after a while, he changed his mind as he argued that the land was not fertile like he dreamed. He, then, ordered all his guardsmen to continue the journey. Before leaving the place, Sultan Muzaffar Shah named the place as “Kuala Sungai Cermin” (Pond of Mirror River)
The Sultan‘s entourage kept sailing along the Perak River till they found a kuala of small tributary. Its clear and fresh water emptied to the Perak River. Sultan Muzaffar Shah intended to take some rest after tiring days of sailing.
“Treasurer! We make a stop here for taking a rest for a while,” said Sultan Muzaffar Shah to his treasurer in a soft voice.
“Yes My Majesty,” answered the treasurer. Soon he announced to the whole crew and guardsmen to stop the journey set up some refreshment tents.
While enjoying the nature, Sultan Muzaffar observed the land thoroughly. He saw dense trees, green leaves, and some animals looking for food. He also heard the warble emitting from the flock of exotic birds.
“My treasurer….This place is so quite and very interesting. Seemingly the land is fertile and the tree can grow, making the fresh air. I can smell the green leaves of those trees. How about if we make it as our home, our place to stay, our kingdom?” asked Sultan Muzaffar happily to his treasurer.
“I think you are right My Majesty. I agree with your opinion. This place fits our dream. It is good for a settlement. The land is flat and behind the river, there is a hill where we can watch a picturesque view. Your people can depend on agriculture or fisheries. It is the best place My Majesty,” answered the treasurer, making the Sultan‘s decision seemed logical.
“But My Majesty, what is the name for this beautiful place?” the treasurer reasked the Sultan.
Hearing the treasurer‘s question., Sultan Muzaffar Shah plunged in deep thought. He thought about the appropriate name for the new land to stay.
“How many kuala that we have passed?” asked Sultan Muzaffar to his treasurer.
“This is the 99th kuala My Majesty,” answered the treasurer.
“It means that it is the 100th minus one kuala,” said Sultan, while calculating the number of kuala.
“That‘s right My majesty, It is 100 minus one” said the treasurer, justifying what had been said.
“Then.. we name it as Kuala Kurang Satu (Pond minus one),” said the Sultan.
“But My Majesty, the name is so long. It is difficult to say it,” said the treasurer, arguing the Sultan‘s opinion.
“If it is so….we shorten the name to Kuala Kurang Sa,” answered Sultan Muzaffar, proposing a new name for the place.
After all the crew and guardsmen agree with the new name “Kuala Kurang Sa” as proposed by Sultan Muzaffar Shah, they opened a new Sultanate together. By then, the central sultanate of Perak was moved to the new land. The palace was established on the top of hill just besides the Perak River. As the time went by, Kuala Kurang Sa developed rapidly economically and politically. The population increases, indicating that prosperity and justice were the commonplace in the Kuala Kurang Sa. The people then changed the name Kuala Kurang Sa to Kuala Kangsar, as the first spelling was very difficult. By now, the name of the region becomes Kuala Kangsar that located in the Negeri Perak, Malaysia.
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Such is the story of “Asal Mula Nama Kuala Kangsar” (The Origin of Kuala Kangsar), from the negeri jiran (neighboring country) of Malaysia. The above folk story constitutes the moral story that conveys lots of important messages. All of which can be a useful guide for human to live and interact with other. One of those important messages is the unflinching character shown by Sultan Muzaffar Shah. Though passing several tiring days, he still remains entirely consistent with his set aim, looking for a new land of his kingdom. He never get tired from the journey as long as his target is not reached yet. This noble character is upheld and appraised by the Malayans. It is stated clearly in the poems below:
wahai ananda dengarlah madah,
adat lelaki pantang menyerah
asal kerjamu tidak menyalah
hidup matimu di tangan Allah
(HQ/ter/105/04-08)
References:
- The content of story is adapted from Puteh, Othman and Aripin Said. 2004. Himpunan 366 Cerita Rakyat Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: PRIN-AD SDN. BHD.
- Anonymous. “Sungai Perak”, (http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sungai_Perak, retrieved at January 21st 2008).
- Anonymous. “Kuala Kangsar”, (http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Kangsar, retrieved at January 21st 2008).
- Anonymous. “Ipoh”, (http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipoh, retrieved at January 17th 2008).
- Effendy, Tenas. 2006. Tunjuk Ajar Melayu. Yogyakarta: Balai Kajian dan Pengembangan Budaya Melayu in cooperation with AdiCita Karya Nusa
Photo Credit: -
Negeri Perak constitute one of the state that makes up the Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaysia). Negeri Perak is the second biggest state in the Semenanjung Malaysia (Malay peninsula) coming after Negeri Pahang.
Sultan Muzaffar Shah is the first king in Negeri Perak.
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