Mythical creatures in Malaysian folklore
Mermaids, centaurs and phoenixes – these are mythological creatures most of us are familiar with, be it through fairy tales or movies from our childhood. But these magical beings have always felt worlds away from us Malaysians. Spotting Little Mermaid by the beaches of Langkawi seems rather far-fetched after all.
But that isn’t to say our country doesn’t have its share of fantastical beings. Though they might not be as well known as Bigfoot or Nessie, many mythical creatures are said to lurk within our lush rainforests. We rounded up 10 of them from Malaysian folklores and legends that will intrigue you.
Even Newt Scamander will be delighted, no doubt.
Table of Contents
1. Seri Gumum Dragon – Malaysia’s own Loch Ness monster
Image credit: puteri santubung 88
Legend has it that there’s a great Naga living below the calm waters of Tasik Chini in Pahang. Think the Loch Ness monster – or Nessie – a long neck water serpent or dragon that allegedly inhabits the Scottish lake. Malaysia has a Nessie of its own called Seri Gumum Dragon, or Seri Pahang.
Image credit: BBC News
Based on a Malay folklore, the origin of the Seri Gumum Dragon myth finds its root in the Jakun (Orang Asli) tribespeople who occupied the area where the famous lake sits. According to the story, they were chided by an old lady for not seeking permission from the spirits before claiming the area. She then planted her walking stick on the land and warned them not to move it.
A dog started barking incessantly at the stick and it began gushing blood, much to the bewilderment of the tribespeople. Soon after, a storm hit and water burst forth from the walking stick. For years, the water flowed endlessly, thus creating Tasik Chini. The stick is said to be the Seri Gumum Dragon.
Tasik Chini in Pahang.
Image credit: Google Maps
Another version of the Seri Gumum myth is a love tale of a cursed princess confined to a Forbidden Garden built on Tasik Chini. She fell in love with a prince, but when the pair fled from the garden together, they were transformed into two Nagas – Seri Gumum and Seri Kemboja.
Following the lovers’ transformations, a storm flooded the Forbidden Garden and it sank to the bottom of the lake. Some say that Seri Gumum still lurks at the lake’s base, guarding the sunken garden to this day.
2. Kuda Semberani – a royal pegasus
Image credit: @AshrafMhd via Twitter
While you may be familiar with the beatific winged stallion, Pegasus, from Greek mythology, you’ll be as fascinated to know that there exists a similar mythical creature in Malay legends.
From the Book of Kings, Sulalatus Salatin – also known as Sejarah Melayu – the Kuda Semberani is a divine horse that flies at speeds so fast that it’s akin to teleportation. For this reason, it is known to be the fastest object in the skies.
The magical horse was named Faras-ul Bahri, derived from the Arabic term Faras-al Bahri which means “horse of the sea”. This implies that the Kuda Semberani is able to swim too.
Image credit: @AshrafMhd via Twitter
According to Sejarah Melayu, Kuda Semberani answered only to Raja Suran – the king of a sea world called Negara Dika – who rode the flying stallion to travel back to land from his underwater kingdom.
Kuda Semberani is often depicted as a brave creature and “prized possession” of a king in mythical theatre plays. Such plays include Hikayat Serat Selarasa (1804) and Hikayat Berma Syahadan (1858).
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The Kuda Kepang dance from Indonesia is said to be inspired by this mythological creature. Generally performed by dancing troops “mounted” on horses made from bamboo sticks and colourful cloths, this dance is also extremely popular in Malaysia.
3. Orang Mawas – local Bigfoot that inhabits the forests of Johor
Image credit: Siakap Keli
Bigfoot is a legendary beast that seems to exist in every country. Malaysians have our very own Bigfoot myth too. Locally known as Orang Mawas, these huge, ape-like beasts supposedly lurk the jungles of Johor.
The first alleged sighting of Orang Mawas dates as far back as 1871, when the native Orang Asli tribe claimed frequent glimpses of the “Snaggled-tooth Ghosts” – another name they had for the Orang Mawas.
Several labourers also insisted on having spotted a “family” of Orang Mawas in 2005, while building a fish pond in Kampung Mawai, Kota Tinggi. This harrowing tale caused many more netizens to more seriously consider the creatures’ existence. The workers’ claim was further supported by the discovery of several large footprints at the area they had seen the creatures, creating a so-called “Mawas Mania” in the country.
The supposed footprints of Orang Mawas.
Image credit: The Star
That wasn’t the end of the Bigfoot fever in Malaysia. Another famous sighting baffled locals in 2014, where a long trail of strange gigantic footprints were found on a tar road by the Endau-Rompin forest reserve.
While the local government has shut down allegations and evidence that supposedly proved the existence of the beasts, these rumours fed into the growing belief in the possibility of Bigfoot wandering around Malaysia.
4. Santu Sakai – monstrous werewolves in Kuala Lumpur
Image credit: Listverse
The Santu Sakai is one creature that will truly fuel your nightmares. It’s a sight straight out of a horror movie – think horrifying man-beasts that raid villages and feed on human flesh. To add to the beast’s scare factor, its name literally translates to “Mouth Men” as these monstrous creatures have glistening knife-fangs that testifies to their bloodthirsty nature.
An encounter by a hunter named Henri Van Heerdan seems to suggest the possible existence of these gruesome creatures – and it might just have you shaking in fear.
Image credit: Google Books
Recounted in the book The Abominable Snowman, Van Heerdan was quick to scoff at warnings by the natives about the Santu Sakai during a hunting trip in KL in 1967. As he was returning to his vehicle after a successful hunt, he heard hair-raising “ugly growls and strange screams” and saw two ghastly monsters barreling towards him. He described the creatures he saw as “demons from hell”.
The beasts were right on his tail, but Van Heerdan managed to pound on the skull of one of them with a rock before making a dash for his car. While he was fortunate enough to escape death, he was deeply shaken and vowed to never take old folklores about terrifying monstrosities lightly again.
5. Á Bao A Qu – an invisible creature in search of a pure being
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The tale and introduction of A Bao A Qu in the 1967 Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges may be the version of the creature’s myth that’s familiar to most people. But the legend of A Bao A Qu is widely believed to be of Malay origin. In fact, pronouncing it as Abang Aku – which means “my brother” – is generally accepted.
Borges’ tale is said to be inspired by Malaysian mythology and a 1937 treatise on Malay witchcraft authored by Iturvuru.
Image credit: Mythical Creatures Guide
The local lore follows a tower that is said to be the interhouse of the gods. A Bao A Qu happened to be stranded in this tower when the gateway to heaven closed. Consequently, the creature had to rely on human behaviour and karma, and could only return home when the next enlightened pure person is born.
The Vijaya Stambha tower in Chittor.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Borges’ story goes like this – A Bao A Qu is a translucent entity that lives at the bottom of the Tower of Victory in Chittorgarh. It lies there, invisible and shapeless, but wakes when someone starts their journey up the spiralling steps of the tower. With each step the climber takes, the creature becomes more solid and visible, emitting glowing colours.
A Bao A Qu can only achieve its complete form when the climber has reached the topmost step and attained Nirvana. But there’s a catch – the person must be a pure being to reach enlightenment. As all humans have sinned, A Bao A Qu cannot achieve completion and waits in despair for the next visitor to attempt the climb.
An illustration of A Bao A Qu when it achieves completion.
Image credit: Thelisan via DeviantArt
The physical appearance of A Bao A Qu is as obscure as its existence, for the most part. Most illustrations depict the creature as a vague blob with tentacles, iridescent and glowing, and its touch like the skin of a peach.
6. Sang Kelembai – a giantess that turns anything & anyone into stone
Image credit: Salam Malam Jumaat
Given all the weirdness that lurks in this vast world, it’s hard to roll your eyes at stories about mythical creatures – especially when there seems to be thousands of such tales. This seems to be the case for Sang Kelembai, a famous villain in olden-day Malay folktales.
The creature is described as an ogress thrice the size of a normal human, with huge floppy ears, bushy eyebrows, a wide nose, and protruding fangs. It isn’t only her hideous appearance that makes everyone flee from her. Sang Kelembai is also feared for her power and ability to turn anyone and anything into stone. To put it simply, she’s the Malaysian “Medusa”.
Pahang River.
Image credit: Saifuddin Ibrahim via Google Maps
While there’s a spate of differing stories about the malicious Sang Kelembai, a famous legend suggests that the giantess was simply misunderstood and lonely because of her petrification power.
Before she was cursed to possess such a power, she spent her days by the banks of the Pahang River, feeding on bamboo plants and playing with children from the nearby village. However, on a fateful day, she attended a feast held at the village and accidentally turned everyone into stone with a mere good-hearted greeting.
Overcome with misery and self-loath, Sang Kelembai wandered from place to place and isolated herself from the outside world, in fear of turning anyone else into stone.
Kota Gelanggi Caves.
Image credit: Stephanie Ng via Google Maps
With her tragic backstory, Sang Kelembai became a character used to explain many odd-shaped rocks and caves in Malaysia. An intriguing instance is the Kota Gelanggi Caves in Pahang that’s said to be a former kingdom that had fell under Sang Kelembai’s curse after a vengeful father of a defeated king ordered her to cast it.
The “gossiping elephants” rocks in Batu Gajah in Perak, and a buffalo-shaped stone in Gua Kerbau Kedah, are other rock formations linked to her.
7. Tambuakar – Sabah sea serpents
Image credit: Villains Wiki
When it comes to mysteries of the unknown, there’s no place like the deep vast sea. In fact, locals are convinced that a water dragon exists within the coastal waters of Malaysia.
Tambuakar – as named by the Bruneians and derived from the word “tumbuh akar” – is a sea serpent that is said to have existed in the west coast of Sabah since 1903, specifically around Papar and Beaufort. Stories claim the creature was born as a humble eel called the sinsilog fish, and slowly evolved over a thousand years into a majestic dragon that ruled over all life in the ocean.
Image credit: SabahUp2Date
As with most myths, tales regarding Tambuakar vary with the areas where they are told. According to the Dusun people, the sea dragon inhabits the Ranau Lake, and paralyses and devours anyone who ventures too close to its residence.
While it is said that the creature ceased to exist after a volcanic eruption in Ranau, many still believe that the legendary Tambuakar lives on in the depths of the ocean.
8. Jentayu – a majestic bird of water elements
Image credit: indera-kencana
Not all mythical creatures are bloodthirsty killers. Some are brave enchanting birds that roam the heavens above. Enter the Jentayu bird. It’s often confused with the Jatayu bird from the Indian myth Ramayana, but it isn’t just their names that differentiate them.
The Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, a Malay literary work on the history of Kedah, describes Jentayu as a Malaysian mythical bird that represents the water element, with elegant blue and white feathers, a stunning colourful peacock tail, and dazzling crown-like crest that sits on its head.
Image credit: Malaysia Kita via Facebook
The courageous and reliable Jentayu is one of the most prominent birds in the world, along with his brother, the Garuda bird – another mythical bird of Indonesian origins. As the flaming Garuda represents the fire element, both of these creatures did not get along well.
In the folktale, Jentayu is a loyal ally of the ruler, Merong Mahawangsa. When his fleet was attacked by Garuda on the Arabian Sea, Jentayu and Garuda became embroiled in a fierce battle to protect their respective armies. Jentayu was unable to fully attack his brother and a split moment of hesitation was all Garuda needed to lunge at Jentayu, leading the latter to fall to his death.
Image credit: FA004Production via DeviantArt
Today, the name Jentayu is often used in relation to water elements, such as the weather. The Malay saying that goes Laksana Jentayu menantikan hujan, or “Jentayu who awaits the rain” in English, shows that people believe a Jentayu’s cry signifies an incoming rain. It is also a phrase used to describe a person who is anxious.
9. Orang Minyak – a slick dark man that oozes oil
Image credit: sites.psu.edu
Orang Minyak, which literally translates into English as “Oily Man”, is much like Marvel’s Venom – but oilier. This terrifying black entity has plagued not only Malay folktales, but also locals with multiple news reports of its sightings IRL. Those who claim to have encountered the supernatural being describe them as a towering man coated in a sheen of black that’s grease as dark as his soul.
The urban legend surrounding Orang Minyak is as disturbing as its appearance. A version made popular by P. Ramlee’s 1958 film, titled Sumpah Orang Minyak (The Curse of the Oily Man), describes the creature as a product of a man who struck a deal with the Devil to gain powers of the evil by serial raping 21 virgins in a week. Another local legend describes Orang Minyak as an entity controlled by witch-doctors or shamans.
While stories about this slippery creature date back to as far back as 1958, there have been countless alleged sightings and police reports in present day too, with the most recent one being in 2018.
10. Orang Bunian – invisible elves
Image credit: FlyFM
When we think of elves, we can’t help but conjure up images of the Elven characters from the cult-favourite Lord Of The Rings films. Malaysia has its own version called Orang Bunian, who are supernatural beings invisible to most humans – only those with a ‘spiritual sight’ are able to interact with them.
They sound almost like an imaginary friend we made up as kids to accompany us during playtimes – except there’s a whole community of them. Similarly to humans, these elf-like beings have families and live in deep forest and foothills of Malay Peninsula, parts of Indonesia, and Borneo. They resemble humans, but are said to have elfish features.
While certain tragedies such as missing children and villagers lost in forests are linked to them, the Orang Bunian community are generally regarded as benevolent creatures who often befriend and assist humans. Local media have even reported that they inhabit Pulau Konet in Melaka, and interacted with locals there.
Mythical creatures from Malaysian folklore
Forget the Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets or the dragons of House Targaryen. The majestic creatures that are said to dwell our lands are just as captivating. Whether they exist or not, the wondrous beasts that haunt Malaysian legends and fables might just give the fantastic beasts in Harry Potter’s world a run for their money.
Read more interesting features of places here:
- 7 abandoned places in Malaysia
- 14 haunted places in Malaysia and the horror behind them
- 10 abandoned heritage sites in Malaysia
- Papan, a forgotten row of heritage shophouses in Perak
Cover image adapted from: @AshrafMhd via Twitter, Villains Wiki, Salam Malam Jumaat
This article was first published on 28th October 2022, and updated on 19th October 2023.
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