Malin Kundang

Cerita Rakyat Malin Kundang (Sumatra Barat)
folklore Malin Kundang

Once upon a time, in the coastal area of Sumatra, lives a poor family. The family had a kid named Malin Kundang. Due to very poor condition of their families, Malin kundang's father decided to go to the country side.

Malin kundang and his mother hope that he could bring some money and support their daily needs. Time after time, they wait for him, but he did not come. They even believed that he is already dead.


Feeling sad, Malin kundang thought that he could make a living in the country side in the hope that later on when returning to my hometown; he has become a very rich. Finally Malin kundang go sailing along with a merchant ship captain in his hometown that has been successful.

Malin Kundang adalah pelaut ( Malin Kundang Is a Sailor)

During his stay on the ship, Malin kundang lot to learn about seamanship on the crew that has been experienced. Malin studied hard on his friends shipping on more experienced, and ultimately he's very good at shipping.

Many islands have been, up to a day in the middle of the trip, suddenly Malin kundang ships were attacked by pirates. All merchandise traders who were on the ship seized by pirates. Even most of the crew and people on the ship were killed by the pirates. Malin kundang very lucky he was not killed by the pirates, because when it happened, Malin immediately hid in a small space enclosed by the timber.

Malin Kundang floats amid sea, until finally the host ship stranded on a beach. With the rest of the existing power, Malin Kundang walked to the nearest village from the beach. Arriving in the village, Malin Kundang told the ntives about the incident that happened to him. Malin village where villagers stranded is very fertile. With tenacity and perseverance in work, over time Malin had become a very rich. He has many fruit merchant ships with the children of more than 100 people. After becoming rich, Malin Kundang marry a girl to become his wife.

Kembalinya Malin ( Malin Come back )

After a long marriage, Malin and his wife make the voyage with a large and beautiful ship with the crew and a lot of bodyguards. Malin kundangs wife want to know his husbands hometowns. In the other side, poor Malin kundang mothers was worried about his son, and goes to the beach everyday, hope that her son will be back from the journey. She saw a very beautiful ship landed on the town harbour. Malin's mother who always checks every ship that arrived, hoping there is his son among the passenger, surprised to see a man. She founds out that he is her son Malin kundang.

Malin Kundang stepped down from the ship. Once close enough, his mother saw the birthmarks on Malin kundangs arm. She is now convinced that Malin is her son. Missed so much, she hug his son and asked "Malin Kundang, my son, why did you go so long without sending any news to me?". Arrogantly, Malin immediately released her mother's arms and pushed him up to fall. "Old women, I do not know who you are" said Malin Kundang at his mother. Malin Kundang pretended not to recognize her mother, because of shame with her mother who is old and wearing tattered clothes. "She was your mother?" Malin's wife asks him. "No, he was just a beggar who pretended to be admitted as a mom to get my property".


Kutukan Ibu Malin ( Curse of mother )


Hearing statement and treated arbitrarily by his son, the mother of Malin kundang is very angry. He did not expect him to be rebellious child. Because anger is mounting, Malin's mother tipped his hand, saying "Oh God, if he my son, I curse him became a stone." Malin's mother goes away with sad feelings. Knowing that his only son, which she always loves and missed all days, come and treat her like that.

Malin kundang and his crew departed shortly after visiting the hometown.Soon after departed, the calm, nice weather suddenly changed. The winds roared fierce and storms come to destroy the ship Kundang. Malin himself knows that it might be the curse from his own mother. That makes Malin prays, to beg a mercy from the God. The ship are destroyed and dumped into the beach. Malin's body and the shipwrecks scattered. After that Malin' body slowly becomes rigid and in time they finally shaped into a rock. Malin's mothers feel sorry about her son's fate. But it was too late.

In moslem tradition, it is believed that prays from the parents are easily granted by God, either bad or goods. This story told people to be humbles and do not forget his family after being successful, the story also told the parents that they must not easily pray a bad things to their children, and guide their children with care and lots of patients