The Legend Of Langkawi : Myths And Management

• Main Author: Mohamed Zahir, Ismail
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: GR Folklore
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/607/1/MOHAMED_ZAHIR_HAJI_ISMAIL.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/607/2/1.MOHAMED_ZAHIR_HAJI_ISMAIL.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/607/

Malay folklores have been considered as classic works of literature that combine myth with reality. Traditional storytellers of yesteryear used to fascinate their audiences with the subtleties of human behaviour and historical events that were portrayed in their stories. Even today, some aspects of modem methods of management can be inferred from such myths and historical events. Various incidents in the Legends of Langkawi can be considered as valuable lessons that act as warnings and examples to be learnt. Such incidents indicated the relationship between humans and supernatural elements, animals, natural phenomena and history. Thus, incidents like supernatural events can teach us the differences between good and evil as in stories about Gedembai, the ferocious ghost and stories about the Seven Wells. Lessons from animal stories can be deduced from stories about Geruda and the White Crocodile. From stories about caves one can learn about good and bad elements. They portray three types of human characters, namely the good ones and the bad ones, with the third one who would always be present whenever there was a quarrel in order to pacify the warring parties. On the other hand, stories of historical nature tell us about good-natured humans who became victims of those who were envious of others. Such wrong doings often led to further bloodshed and instability within the comnlunity. Although stories in the Legends of Langkawi deal with supernatural happenings and about strange caves, animals as well as people in history that were of mythical nature, they also contain some indirect references to effective and favourable ways of management.