The Legend of Mahsuri
A long time ago, in Langkawi Island, there was a couple named Pandak Mayah and Mak Andam. They had been married for many years. Unfortunately, they were not given any children. “I wish to have a baby, darling”, said the wife.
One day, after Mak Andam eaten the rice crust, she conceived. After 9 months, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Mahsuri. That is how the life of Mahsuri in Langkawi Island began.
Since young, Mahsuri was taught to be polite according to the Malay culture. Eventually, Mahsuri grew up into a beautiful , personable and gentle girl. Men around the island were attracted to Mahsuri’s beauty. “She is so beautiful. If only I can be her husband”, such words can be heard among the young men.
Many women in the island became envy and jealous with Mahsuri because of her beauty. They were also jealous of the attention she had from men. However, a young man named Wan Deru won the heart of Mahsuri and married her. He is the son of the chief of the island. The chief's name was Datuk Pekerma Jaya and his wife, Wan Mahura.
One night, Mahsuri saw her husband pensive at the door. Then, she asked “Darling, what are you thinking?” Her husband was shicked of the presence of his wife. Then, he replied “Nothing my wife. I was fascinated to see the bright moon in the sky at night”. After that, Mahsuri broke the good news of her pregnancy to her husband. She told him that they would be blessed with children. Wan Derus was very happy and he hugged his wife tightly.
Not long after that, there was a war between the Kedah and Siamese state. There were many men who fought in that war, including Wan Derus. The pregnant Mahsuri
was left with her parents while her husband went to the war. “Please take care of yourself and the baby while I’m away. I will be back safely.”, said Wan Derus to Mahsuri. After that, there was a traveler called Deramang arrived on the island and Mahsuri’s parents allowed Deramang to stay in their house. Deramang was a great poet and he attracted many people in the island to listen his poem. Moreover, Deramang also taught Mahsuri poetry and they became good friends.
However, their friendship had made Wan Mahura jealous of them. Wan Mahura accused Mahsuri of having intimate relationship with Deramang and had an illegitimate child. Datuk Pekerma Jaya believed his wife and ordered a death sentenced on Mahsuri and Deramang.
Suddenly the sky turned dark and the wind blew strongly. Mahsuri and Deramang were tied to a tree in the middle of the field and were crowded by people who condemn them. She wept and asked them why she been treated like this yet demanded what have she done to them.
“How dare you questioned me!”, said her father-in-law. Datuk Pekerma Jaya became angry to Mahsuri because she was being unfaithful to Wan Derus, who is her husband that went to the battlefield. Datuk Pekerma Jaya accused them without investigating.
Mahsuri denied all the accusation towards her and Deramang. She waited faithfully for her husband. However, Datuk Pekerma Jaya had made decision and ordered the guard stab Mahsuri with a spear to death. Surprisingly, white blood came out of Mahsuri’s body. It marked that Mahsuri has been defamed by heartless people.
Suddenly, the weather turned stormy. Everyone there was shocked to see white blood flowing out from her body.
Still, Mahsuri recite the oath that she is the victim of the slander. Therefore, before her last breath, she cursed the island will not be safe and swore that the land will be barren for seven generations.
After the death of innocent Mahsuri, the curse took place and the land became barren. Then, Langkawi Island was destroyed for seven generations like how Mahsuri had cursed.
