Singapore may be small and youthful, but it is home to a number of fantastic stories that even locals would find hard to believe! Singapore, like any other country, has its own old tales and folklore.
Here are some local myths and folklores that have endured the test of time to become a part of Singapore’s cultural past, ranging from the name of Redhill after a bloodstained hill to Singapore’s own Hercules.
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Sang Nila Utama
Sang Nila Utama, also known as Sri Tri Buana, was the emperor of Sumatra’s Srivijaya Empire. During one of his expeditions across the oceans, a storm arose and nearly overturned their boat. Sang Nila Utama tossed his crown into the choppy seas in a frantic attempt and the wind and sea calmed down quickly.
The crew arrived safely on the island of Temasek, and a bizarre beast was noticed from afar when they landed. Thrilled when he believed he had discovered a lion, an auspicious emblem, Sang Nila Utama chose to name the island Singapura, meaning Lion City.
Sang Nila Utama, who ruled Singapura for 48 years until his death, is claimed to have made the discovery about AD1297. On top of Bukit Larangan, or Forbidden Hill, he built his palace and interred his ancestors (present-day Fort Canning Hill).
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Legend of Bukit Merah
Many years ago, the southern coast of Singapore was overrun by ferocious swordfish. Villagers and fishermen couldn’t do business at the sea because they’d be assaulted by these terrifying animals if they went near the ocean. The people appealed to the Sultan for assistance, but he and his royal army were powerless to intervene.
The Sultan was then presented with a solution by a little child. He suggested erecting a row of banana tree trunk barricades along the damaged shoreline. When the swordfish tried to attack the people again, their pointy beaks pierced the barrier, trapping them instantly.
The strategy worked well, and the bright young man became known among the peasants as their saviour. The Sultan became envious of this and sent his men to assassinate the youngster who lived on top of a hill because he was afraid his reign might be endangered in the future. The unfortunate boy’s blood ran down the slope, bathing the entire hill in scarlet. Redhill, or Bukit Merah (literally, “red hill”), gained its name from this.
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Badang
Did you know that Singapore has its own version of Hercules? The impoverished fisherman, known as Badang, lived a simple existence by the Singapore River. When he discovered a water jinn (spirit) was taking his fish, he put up a trap to capture the ghost in the act. The captive spirit then faced him, promising to grant his request in exchange for its freedom.
Badang then wished for superhuman power, and the Sultan of Singapore quickly selected him as a court fighter. Warriors from all over the world descended on the strong man, including India’s Wadi Bijaya. The two competed in a series of competitions, the most recent of which saw them raise a large boulder and toss it into the Singapore River where Badang won with ease.
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Kusu Island (Tortoise Island)
The story goes that a big tortoise emerged out of nowhere to save a group of Chinese and Malay fishermen who were about to drown when their fishing boats sank in a storm. The tortoise transformed into an island to allow the fisherman to reach the coast. The fisherman constructed a Chinese temple and a Malay shrine on the island to commemorate their appreciation to the sacred tortoise.
These are some interesting tales of Singapore’s past that are special and fun to know about so share them with your family and friends today!
This article was brought to you by Han. I pretend to be broke in order to stay wealthy, yet I’m not wealthy.
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