Langkawi, island of eagles and legends

Langkawi, island of eagles and legends

A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Langkawi, Malaysia

Two red eagles soared over the popular Cenang Beach on Langkawi
Island, Malaysia, as a few European tourists relaxed on the white
sand.

The beach -- probably like many other beaches in the island
such as Tanjung Rhu, Kok and Pasir Hitam, or even beaches in
other ASEAN countries -- was quiet, especially after the huge
tsunami hit the region on Dec. 26.

The people of this island off the coast of Malaysia are sure
of their fortune, even though their beautiful white beaches have
been somewhat quiet over the last month. After all, the tsunami
missed them, and the tourists are still coming.

"We believe the 'curse' has been lifted now, and that
prosperity will once again be ours," said Hasbullah of the
Langkawi Tourism Action Council (LTAC), referring to the legend
of Mahsuri.

Mahsuri was a beautiful young married woman who was unjustly
accused of adultery and put to death some time in the 18th
century. Legend has it that white blood flowed at her execution,
proving her innocence, and with her dying breath, Mahsuri laid a
curse upon the island that it would remain barren for seven
generations.

The legend still holds firm sway over the Malaysian psyche
through its plays, literature and movies.

Langkawi residents now believe that this seven-generation
curse -- which includes Malaysia's occupation by the British and
the Japanese -- has been lifted.

Today, Mahsuri's tomb, located in a traditional Malay village
near Langkawi's capital town of Kuah, is a popular tourist
destination.

Last week, hundreds of delegates from ASEAN member countries,
Japan, China and South Korea, as well as dozens of journalists
from media across the world -- including The Jakarta Post --
gathered at a gala dinner at the island's famous Dataran Lang, or
Eagle Square, for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2005.

Traditional dances and songs lit up by a fireworks show marked
the opening ceremony for the forum, which was also attended by
former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The development of Langkawi as a resort island started in the
1980s and was perceived to be the beginning of a time of
prosperity for its people. Since then, hundreds of starred and
non-starred hotels and resort accommodation, shopping malls as
well as a 12-meter-high eagle statue, have sprouted.

The eagle is the symbol of the 478-square-kilometer island,
and the name Langkawi is derived from lang (eagle) and kawi
(red).

The statue, which overlooks the waters from Eagle Square, has
become the island's icon. The park is popular place for picnics
and to look for woodcraft related to local folklore.

Besides the curse, many tourist destinations in Langkawi also
draw upon local legends.

The popular Air Hangat (hot spring) village to the north of
Langkawi is related to a legend about a wedding party that went
wrong when two giants started a brawl. The giants hurled and
smashed banquet items, which gave rise to the island's main
features.

The hot water they spilled turned into the springs at Air
Hangat, where visitors can enjoy the bathing facilities.

Dayang Bunting (pregnant princess) island -- one of dozens of
small islands dotted around Langkawi -- as its name indicates, is
also legendary for its powers of fertility: a lovely princess
placed a magic spell on a lake on the island, so that any
childless woman who bathed in it would be able to bear a child.

Legend or not, many women reportedly become pregnant after
bathing in the lake, and often return to the island.
Incidentally, the island is shaped like a pregnant woman lying on
her side, if seen from the direction of Langkawi.

Langkawi also boasts modern facilities such as shopping malls,
golf courses and a 1.2-kilometer go-kart circuit, which is also a
choice tourist pastime for those who have taken their fill of the
island's natural beauty and wonders.

It is also host to the annual Tour de Langkawi, and dozens of
professional cyclists from around the globe sped across the
island.

Modern life, lush greenery and mystical tales make the stuff
of Langkawi legend.