Our History - The history of Pahang

This article is taken from wawasan2020.com website with no editing done yet. I need time to re-write the article based on other story that I heard and learn. Until then, be patient. ;)

Introduction

Prior to the establishment of the Malacca Sultanate, Pahang was in control of the southern areas in the Malay Peninsula. The Majapahit people at that time reffered to the Peninsula simply as 'Pahang'. At the beginning of the 16th century, the period when the Malay State of Johor was established, the borders of Pahang were as follows; in the south at Sedili Besar, in the north reaching Terengganu. It's western borders of Pahang were as follows; in the south at Sedili Besar, in the north and west borders of Pahang are a chain of mountains, i.e. the Main Range. On the east side is the South China Sea.

Pahang is the largest state in the Malay Peninsula. Total land area is 35,515 square kilometres. There are 11 districts in Pahang; which are Kuantan, Maran, Pekan, Rompin, Temerloh, Jerantut, Bentong, Raub, Lipis ,Cameron Highlands and Bera. People of various religions and races make up the population.

The Origin Of It's Name

Pahang Darul Makmur was called differently many centuries ago. A Chinese writer called it as Pang-Hang Peng-Heng, Pang-Heng, Pong-Fong, Phe-Hang, Pang-Kang and others.

In 1225, Choa Ju-Kua wrote the book 'Chu-Fan-Chi'. He wrote that amongst the states invaded by San-Fo-Chi was one called Peng-Keng, i.e. Pahang.

The Arabs and Europeans at that time called it as Pam, Pan, Phang, Paam, Poa, Paon, Phamm, Paham, Fanhan, Phang and Pahagh. G.R Tibbets, a historian who commented the story written by Mas'udi thought that Fanjab (in Mas'udi's book) was Pahang. He preferred to call it Fanhan, Panghang/Panhang, rather than Fanjab.

Certain people said that the name 'Pahang', originated from the language of a Siamese aborigines tribe, meaning 'ore'. The aborigines used to live here and opened up several mining areas, especially in Sungai Lembing.

According to an old Malay story, at the place near the Pahang River, on the opposite side of Kampung Kembahang, a large 'mahang' tree fell across the river, thus the name ' Pahang originated'.

Pahang was also known as 'Inderapura', otherwise called Pahang Inderapura. It's infamous Royal Town and once of the Malacca Sultanate, Pekan was known as 'Pura'.(I like these names. Why can't they stick with Inderapura for Pahang and Pura for Pekan. It is much cool name than Pahang and Pekan. Heh.)

The Pre-Historic Period

Archeologists had done many researches and excavation works in various sites in Pahang. Popular archaeological sites are caves, mountains, river banks, old mining areas and a few open spaces. Amongst the artifacts discovered were stone implements, ceramics / earthen-wares, bronze and iron implements.

The well known archaelogical sites in Pahang are; Kota Tongkat, Kota Gelanggi (near Jerantut); Gua Kecil (Raub); Gunung Senyum, Bukit Chintamanis (Karak); Sungai Lembing, Tersang (Kuala Lipis); Sungai Selinsing, Sungai Tui, Nyong, Teluk Lubuk Puai, Batu Pasir Garam, Bukit Jong and Kg. Pagi (the meeting point of Sungai Tembeling and Sungai Pahang). Most of the artifacts discovered underneath the ground were artifacts made of stone; made and used by the mesolithic people.

Archaeologists believed that the mesolithic people lived in caves and mountains. They were the first to arrive at the Asian Mainland and Malay Peninsula. The Malay Proto group, started to live in the Peninsula about 3000 / 2000 B.C.

Several agricultural implements were found underneath the ground. Archaelogists belived that they were made by the people from the last Stone Age. The implements were the heads of spears, knivers, scythes, hoes and other unusual iron implements.

These artifacts were found of several places; by the Sungai Lembing , Teluk Lubuk Puai and Bukit Jong (by Sungai Lipis). In Kampung Batu Pasir Garam (by Sungai Tembeling), archaelogists discovered a fraction of an ancient drum made of bronze or Dong S'on Drum. It was used by the people who observed the Bronze Culture. Dr. Linehan stated that this Dong S'on Drum was made in Indo-China and brought over from Funan to Ulu Tembeling sometime in the 3rd century together with implements made from ancient irons.

According to anthropologists and historians, the deutro Malays were the ancestors of the Malays living in the coastal districts of the Malay Peninsula. In ancient times, besides the aborigines ( the Semang tribes ), Pahang was inhabited by the Middle Age men and the Last Stone Age ( early Bronze Age men).

State Monarchy and Ruling

The system of monarchy was established in Pahang many centuries ago. The first Sultan was Sultan Muhamad Shah ( 1469-1475 ), the prince of the Sultan of Malacca. His descendants continued to hold the throne of Pahang for more than 200 years. The last from the family was Sultan Mahmud Shah, who died in 1699.

Following his death, power was taken by the family of Bendahara Tuan Habib Abdul Majid, Padang Saujana. They established the independent influence of Riau-Lingga.

The English came over and established their hegemony over Pahang in the late 19th century. J.P.Rodger was appointed as the first Resident in October 1888. Top priority was to centralize all administrative works Pekan was first chosen, but after 3 years, it was transfered to Lipis.

In 1901, a plan was made to transfer the centre to a new and permanent site. Final decision was taken on 2nd March 1953. The State Government considered 2 sites, Temerloh / Mentakab and Kuantan. The former had a problem of uneven land; wich required vast amount of money to develop. It was settled Kuantan was to be new capital.

The late Sultan Abu Bakar proclaimed the new state capital on 27th August 1955. On 28th February 1970, all administrative works were centralized in the newly constructed Wisma Sri Pahang.

The Early Transporation System

In the past, the river of Pahang, Kuantan, Bebar, Rompin, Endau, Tembeling, Jelai, Semantan and other small ones were used as the main transportation way for travelling between districts and to other states. Somebody going to Kelantan may use the Tanum River (of the Jelai River) or using the Sat and Sepia River (both the tributaries of the Tembeling River). The Sepia River can also be used to go to Terengganu. The way to Perak is harder, using the Bertam and Lipis Rivers (of the Jelai River). The Semantan River and it's tributaries were used to travel to Selangor.

The main way used in the past was the one connecting Pahang with the districts in Hulu Muar and Malacca.This river route goes upstream of the Pahang River through it's tributary called Bera River then through Serting River. At the end of Serting River the boat has to be pulled onland for three hundred yards. That place is called 'Penarikan' meaning a place where travellers pulled their boats onland. Then the route follows down stream Jempol River and to Muar River. From Muar one can go to Malacca and other places on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia. This is the route followed by Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca and his son Sultan Ahmad when they were defeated by the Portuguese in 1511 at Pagoh and Bentayan. This some route was used by Sultan Ali (the son of Sultan Husain Shah of Singapore) from Umbai Malacca to Pahang to meet Bendahara Wan Ahmad Pahang (Pekan) in 1863. Gadinho de Eredia an author and a Portuguese officer in Malacca in 1613 stated that "From Malacca to Pahang via 'Penarikan' takes six days to and fro".

Perahu jalak ( small boats ) were used to carry both cargoes and passengers. These boats could accommodate 12 passengers and about 15 tonnes of cargo. The rent for each journey from Kuantan to Kuala Pahang was $25.00. The Sungai Lembing Mining Company (PCCL) started the daily transportation service between Kuantan and Pasir Kemudi, the passengers and cargoes were transported by train to Sungai Lembing.

Before the road from Jerantut to Kuantan was completed, the officers in Ulu Pahang travelling to Kuantan or Pekan had to use boats ( perahu ) and rafts heading towards the down stream direction of the Pahang River.

After a few years under the English administration, construction works to build roads were started. By the end of 1910, a road of 18 miles long from Kuantan on 5 September 1910. In 1918, the Jerantut-Kuantan road was extended to link it with Kuala Lipis. In the later period of 1933, the road from Pekan to Kuantan was officially opened.

The transportation and communication system in Pahang was further imporved with the construction of roads bridge, airport and port. These had shortened and facilitated the journey and communication from one place to an other in Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia and the neighbour countries like Singapore (in the south) and Thailand (in the north).

The Other World - The 'Guardian' that seeks true owner

Have you heard the stories about Toyol, Hantu Raya and etc. How they need someone to guide them and etc? This really happened to my family.

My father's family was came from Sumatera. From what I know, they came from Palembang and they had connection with some legend figures in Peninsular Malaysia (I really don't know who the figure were, but don't worry, I'll ask my father when I go back for Hari Raya). Then they made Kedah their home or more precisely at Kampung ???.

From what I heard, my ancestors were the ones that cleared the forest at that Kampung and started paddy planting on the land. But what most people didn't know is my ancestors get help from the 'guardian' (please refer to the first paragraph). The 'guardian' was passed from one generation to other generation until my great-grandfather generation (I heard a lot of stories about this generation but let me keep it as our family secret because if the stories been told, most of you will seek the 'guardian'. Trust me).

Before my great-grandfather died, he asked who among his children want to become the 'guardian' owner? No one wanted it (if you don't passed the ownership of the 'guardian', the current owner cannot died peacefully -- that is what I heard). Because no one wanted it, one evening my great-grandfather went to a small hill in the village (our family 'dusun' is on that hill as many other villagers 'dusun'). On that hill he released himself from the 'guardian'. And a few months later, he died peacefully. May God bless him.

A few years later, our family prosper. The paddy's price is increasing and the 'dusun' produced a lot of fruits. Pak Ngah, Pak Teh and Pak Ndak bought 2 'mesin menuai' to harvest our fields and other villagers. We also bought 'mesin kisar kelapa' the one and only in the village. And after paddy is harvest, my grandparents also sell 'buah pinang', 'kerabu' and etc to make a living. Our family members also increased. Not including my family, I got 17 cousins (at my mother's, I got 27 cousins -- I think. I lost count).

Back to the stories. A few years later, the 'guardian' came back and seek the true blood. It means it seeks for my great-grandfather's family. It seeks my grandfather because he's among the only one left in his generation. For a few years those thing came and asked my grandfather to become it's owner. My grandfather refuse. Everytime it came, my grandfather refuse. And finally, because it went mad I think, it hurt my grandfather by gave pained like heart attack. The nice thing is, on the way to the hospital, my grandfather went back to normal as nothing happened but as soon as he went home, the pain increased. A few times it happened and at last, all family members were summoned back to the village.

Upon my father arrival, he sees something nobody never knew. He asked my grandfather and then the whole stories were revealed. We really shocked (at that time, I'm at USM -- some of my friend had heard this story, some only know I took emergency leave at that time). My father said, we must performed some ritual to block the 'guardian' from entering the home and disturb my grandfather. That night, the ritual begins.

The first night, the ritual begins after Maghrib prayer. Family members and grandfather were on the ground floor and my father and my uncles were on the first floor. On the ground floor, family members read Yaasin. Meanwhile my father and uncles read Quran verses on the first floor. During the ritual, they heard a lot of thing happened on the first floor. My father and uncles were faced with trials; they felt very hot on the first floor, heard murmurs from the unused room and etc. Isya' prayers were performed at the first floor. After the prayer, somebody saw some figure in the unused room.

After dinner, my father said he cannot sleep at the house. He will sleep at my uncle house. He asked my other uncle to read Yaasin for a few times from midnight until dawn. During that time also, my uncle faced with a lot of trials. The 'guardian' came that night, but it cannot enter.

came dawn, and the situation back to normal. During Zohor, my grandfather said he want to pray. So, my uncle tried to help him. The unexpected happen. The 'guardian' entered the home, and stop my grandfather from praying. It lifted my grandfather and push him to the wall. The family members really shocked at that time. My grandfather fight back, and the 'guardian' slammed him into the wall. Family members begin to read Yaasin and after several minutes, the situation is calmed.

That night, the same ritual was performed but this night my uncle and father know better. They bring fans and water upstairs to drive the heat away. That night nothing special happened.

On the third day, most of the secret reveal. The third and fourth paragraphs were told on the third day. We (the third generation -- count from my grandfather) begin to know about our ancestors. And on that day, my father said that if the 'guardian' didn't came for the third night, it will try to come at fifth and seventh night. Gladly, it didn't came. My father also said, after the seventh night, the guardian will not disturb my grandfather anymore but it will seek other true blood especially men in our family. So, based on inheritance Pak Ngah will become the first target, then my father, then Pak Teh, Pak Lang and Pak Ndak. If the second generation refused it will come to third generation (my generation). On top of the list, guess who? Jeng..jeng..jeng..it me!ME! Oh my God! Please help me. I don't want to become the owner of the 'guardian'. So, we still have to be careful until we went to see our God. Please God, until I died, please protect me and my family.

The Other World - A & Princess

After several weeks (or it is months?) not updating this particular blog, I think I want to write something. Most of these are true stories that I heard of. Nope, I never experienced it myself but my trusted ones were.

One night, A dreams about some Princess from other world (we called it 'Bunian'). This Bunian Princess already came into A dreams for 2 nights. She asked the same thing. she want to adopt A's daughter as her daughter and as return she will give anything that A want. Beside she will put guards at A's house and protect A and his family. Like previous night, A decline the offer.

"Oh well, but I will come and visit your daughter from time to time", said the princess.

As promised, the princess came and visited A daughter from time to time. Only A know about the visits. His wife and children are not aware with the visit (maybe except the wife. She can felt it but never see it). The same things happened to A friends, B.

One night, some crooks in the other world came to disturb A and B (At that time, A and B live alone in their house. Their family is live with their parents). A and B really shocked about it. But the princess kept her promises. She sent her people to protect A and B. Because of the events, they temporarily lived with their family. Every day A travelled from Pekan to Rompin and B travelled from Mersing to Rompin. Yes, every day.

At his in-law home, A heard fighting between the Princess people and the crooks. What is more interesting, the Princess people is known as Panglima Awang Hitam (if you don't know about him, go and read history or legend book. You will know who he is). Fighting in the house, fighting at the house compound and etc. And all people in the house don't heard anything. Only A heard about it.

Meanwhile B heard the same thing. But I'm not sure who the Princess sent to protect B. Really don't know.

Several months had passed, A and B really tired with the fighting and running. They want to put a stop to it.

One night, B dream. To end the thing, they must go into the Endau-Rompin forest after Maghrib prayer on Thursday night. Not sure whether they went or not but what I'm sure is the fighting stop. After the event, B got an ability to heal people and A got an ability to 'mengurut'. And also you can see changes in A and B. They read Quran every night after Maghrib prayer. Really positive developments.

Several years had passed since the fighting event. They still get messages from the princess but not as often as before. One night, A having weird dream. Some princess from the world want to marry him. But A don't want to marry her although the princess agreed to become A second wife.

"No, I don't want to marry you", said A.

"I don't mind but you will regret making the decision", said the princess.

The princess speak true enough. A was possessed by the princess. Because of jealousy the princess tried her best to make A and his wife end their marriages. A tried his best to get rid the princess by reading Al-Quran, and prayed to Allah. It is said if A can do it for 7 consecutive days, he will get rid of the princess. On the 7th day, A was possessed by the princess. The princess tried to blocked A wife from entering the house, shattered glasses into pieces and etc. Last acts was by bringing A into the forest. For the whole night A stayed in the forest. No one knows what happened on that night.

Next morning, A came home. He told his wife, the princess is gone and will not disturb them anymore. Happy ending right? Not. Because the princess still come to their home usually to visit A's daughter. If you see A's daugther, you will see the differences between her and her sisters and brothers. I'm really not sure where A's daughter get her trait from. She a nice person once you know her.

Tasik Chini - part 2

Once upon a time, at a beautiful lake in a kingdom of Pahang, dwell a dragon known as Seri Gumum (some said there are 2 dragons, the other dragon is known as Seri Pahang*). Some said the lake is the beast home. Some said the beast stayed in the lake to train it's power. Not one knew whether it true or false. But everyone knew that they cannot disturb the beast. Everyone knew there are a lot of do's and dont's when they go to the lake.

The lake prosper and a lot of native people live there. From the lake, they get fish. From the forest, they hunt for the deer, forging fruits and cut the tree. All the living live peacefully in and around the lake. And all know that the lake will be peaceful as long as the dragon dwell there.

There are rumours about a bad creature that went amok at the sea. The creature disturb other living being, destroyed human ship, and other thing. The rumours was carried by the wing to the inland and then was heard by the dragon(s*). One of the dragons decided to stop the chaos but they know if one of them decided to go to the sea, the human need to move, the water level at the lake and Sungai Pahang will raise and flood will happened. They decide to wait until the monsoon season.

*The dragons contact the human live around the lake. They advised the people to prepare the foods and move to higher ground during monsoon season. The human know that finally the beast in the lake will make their move.

The monsoon season finally came. Rain fall heavily and continued for several days and nights. The human know the worse will come. They will see a biggest flood no one alive ever seen. The flood will become a history known the Pahang people**.

The water has risen. The path to the Pahang river finally open wide for the beast. Then on one night, one of the dragons make their move.

To make the story short, the dragon finally arrived at the sea. It searched for the creature. Then it find the creature. The dragon fought with the creature for several days and nights. The moment of victory is near. The creature finally weaken. The sea colour is also changed. From green the water turned into red. Most of the blood is coming from the creature.

Then the unexpected happened. The creature used dirty tricks during the fought. It make the dragon loss a lot of blood and weaken. The creature ran for it's dear life. The dragon didn't had any energy left to fought. Then the dragon decide to go back for home.

During the journey back, the dragon know it will not live long enough. Using it's power, it contact Sultan Pahang***. It tell the Sultan that the moment for it to live is not long enough. It asked Sultan Pahang to tell others about it's death. Then the dragon died. The Sultan performed royal ceremony for the dragon. Some said the dragon is buried at Kampung Ketapang at Pekan and some said the dragon is left at the sea and as the time came, the dragon became an island known now as Tioman Island.

For the other dragon, some said it still live at Tasik Chini waiting for the right moment for revenge. Some said it already made a move. Nobody know and nobody will. The secret lies as depth as the lake.

Notes :
* This is taken from Juara yang Tewas
** Some said the flood happened in 1970's and some said it happened during Banjir Merah in 1800's. Yes, the two flood is the biggest flood ever happened at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The flood in 1970's had made my grandfather's family moved from our home to the emergency quarters. From my grandfather's story the flood in 1970 is big enough. He said the water also entered our home. For your information our home is about 2 meters from the ground and the water level in our home is about 1 meter. And the floods happened during my lifetime, the water never enter our home.
*** Some said the Sultan Pahang that received the dragon 'call' was the late Sultan Abu Bakar (father to the current Sultan Pahang). Some said it was Sultan Abu Bakar's father.

Tasik Chini - part 1

I'll try to write about Tasik Chini (or Chini Lake). The legend and myth surrounding Tasik Chini. Before that, let us know a little bit about Tasik Chini.

Tasik Chini is located at negeri Pahang Darul Makmur, one of 13 states in Malaysia. Although from my house to Tasik Chini only take about 1 hour (by car) I never go there (maybe someday I will go, who want to join me??). It is said that Tasik Chini is one of 2 natural lakes exists in Peninsular Malaysia. The other lake is known as Tasik Bera also situated at Pahang (now you know why I'm so proud with my home states, don't you?).

A lot of legend and myth surround Tasik Chini. From what I heard and read, once upon a time a dragon known as Seri Gumum live there (other sources said two dragons, the other is called Seri Pahang); buaya putih (or white crocodile) is also live there; a mystical kingdom where some locals said live in the underwater (the palace will surface on the water during midnight); the late Sultan Pahang which people said still living at the lake; human that can change into tiger and etc. Sound found isn't it?

Some research also been done about Tasik Chini. Some research about ecological, some research about the legend and myth and etc.

For the locals, Tasik Chini become their source of water and food. A lot of fish live in the Lake and a lot of plants too. Surrounding the lake is a forest where become source of income for people that live at the lake.

Locals at Tasik Chini divided the lake into 7 sub-lake and all the name started with Laut (or sea in English). And the most peculiar thing is one of the sub-lake is known as Laut Gumum (Gumum Sea) that based on the name of the dragon that once upon a time resided in Tasik Chini.

During my childhood, I heard from my friends and family that a professional diving team once went diving into the lake. They never encounter the bottom of the lake. And local claims they will never find it until they 'get permission' from 'elders' that live at the lake. I also heard that some tourists and locals, encounter with Buaya Putih that still roam the lake. But they never caught him (or her??) or the pictures of the crocodile.

In the next part, I will write locals legend about the dragon(s) that live in the Lake. The legend was published by DBP under a novel entitled "Juara yang Tewas" but my version will slightly differ than the novel. Until then, bye-bye.

Notes :
For more information about Tasik Chini, you can go to
i. Tasik Chini - Rebirth of Sacred Lotus
ii. Malaysia - Tasik Chini
iii. Tasik Chini

Acknowledgement
i. My grandfather that once upon a time always tell me about Tasik Chini legend and myth. He also told me about Makam Tok Panjang (let's wait for the next part ok?).
ii. My father, mother and uncle because told me about the legend surrounding Tioman Island.
iii. My betrothed because providing support for me to write about this legend. Thanks honey. Love you so much. :)
iv. And to all of you who read my writing. Hopefully after this, someone will send me another legend to be posted here.

The Legend FAQ

This FAQ I edit from my other blog

What your new blog is all about?
This blog is to collect legend, history and folklore stories from around the world. The stories will be posted here and manage by me.

Can we post in the blog?

Nope, you cannot post in the blog but you can email the story that you want to post to me and I will put it in there.

How do we know whether you take the story from someone else and which story that you write by yourself?
Don't worry. I will put acknowledgement in the story whether at the top of the story or at the bottom.

Will you pay us for sending article(s) to your new blog?
Sadly no for the moment but I'm not sure in the future. I'll mentioned it when the time comes.

You didn't tell us what is your email, so how can we send our story to you?
Ooh, did I forget to tell my email? I think not. Do you see the blog title in the box? Do you see the writing in the box? My e-mail is in there.

What kind of story did you accept?
Read the FAQ number 1.

Will you backup all the content?
Of course I'am (if I'm not lazy enough at that time).

How often will you update your other blog?
Depending on how many story that I get from you each day.

Why you blog's title and address is not that 'grand'?
Because when I put the title and address, my half brain is stop working for a while (the creative side). So, if you want to suggest another title drop your suggestion at the comment section ok.

Will you host this stories at the other website later?
For the moment the stories will be host at blogger.com. If I'm rich enough to pay for my own web server and domain name I will transfer all the stories in here to the server. Before I do that, I will inform to all of you.

Can you notify us when you updated this blog?
For the moment I will not provide the services because I'm so damn busy right now. For the future maybe yes.

How often will you updated this FAQ?
Depending on how often I have to answer same question.

The Legend

What is a legend?

From here legend is define as a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events. From my own definition a legend is a story that can make us wonder and proud about our culture. Some legend is based on a true story. Some legend is just create by our great-great-great grandfather to make us impress and love our land. From East to West, we heard a lot of legend. Some are almost same with each other. There are mythical beast and creature such as dragon, unicorn, elves, fairies, undead and etc. There are events such as the red flood, the earthquake and etc that were associated with Gods and Goddess. There are special objects that have powers such as Taming Sari, javelin with a yellow piece cloth, mystical kris, mystical swords and etc. And a lot more.

This blog is my attempt to collect all this legend and put it in one place where one can read all legend from around the world. From this legend, we can learn each other culture, tradition and belief. From this attempt, we can respect each other. From this attempt, I hope it can become a structure for us to understand each other and for us to build a new beginning and a better world where war, greed, hatred and etc will forever unknown by our great great grandchildren.

And now, do anyone want to contribute their stories?? Just email me at ruzaimi@gmail.com.