Malaysian Tales

Malaysia Tales - Pontianak (The Malay Female Vampire)

There is a legend amongst the Malays of a female vampire or the pontianak that haunts lonely roads, cemeteries and jungles near villages.
She is supposed to be the spirit of a woman who had died traumatically during childbirth. She seeks revenge by drinking the blood of and killing her wrong-doers.
The pontianak is said to be dressed in a white gown, has a pale face, long flowing hair, blood-red eyes and fangs. She loves playing pranks on young men and hitch-hiking their bicycles, motorcycles or cars during night time.

A beautiful rendition of the malay Pontianak story is the Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam movie. Be sure to get the DVD of this movie if you happen to be in Malaysia.

- yang aku tau pontianak harum sundal malam tu Maya Karin....hehehhe

Malaysia Tales - Bujang Senang (The Giant White Crocodile)

Legendary giant white crocodile, nicknamed 'Bujang Senang,' that is said to have terrorised the Batang Lupar River in Sarawak, Borneo.
Said to be more than 20 feet in length.

A man claimed to have shot and killed Bujang Senang back in 1992, but others remarked that it was the wrong 'croc'.
This Malaysian-Borneo legend has been around for more than 50 years, with most tales having been heard from someone's great-grandfather or grand-uncle.

'bujang' means 'bachelor' in Malay language.
'senang' means 'easy' or 'leisurely'
Hence in this context, 'Bujang Senang' means 'leisurely bachelor'.

It is interesting to note that in Malay proverbs,
the term 'crocodile' or 'buaya' is given to randy or flirty men.

- Orang panggil boya tu buaya and buaya tu boya. Sama ja...