TERENGGANU FOLKLORE: ULEK MAYANG

Ulek Mayang is one of Malaysia’s most hauntingly beautiful and mystical folk traditions. Originating from the coastal state of Terengganu, it is a combination of a rhythmic song, a ritualistic dance, and an ancient legend that blurs the lines between the human and spirit worlds.

The Legend: A Tug-of-War for a Soul

The folklore tells the story of a fisherman who fell into a deep, supernatural trance while at sea.

• The Infatuation: A sea princess (often called Puteri Mayang Sari) saw the fisherman and fell in love with him. She "stole" his soul, bringing it to her underwater kingdom and leaving his physical body unconscious on the beach.
• The Shaman’s Intervention: The fisherman's friends called upon a Bomoh (shaman) to bring him back. The shaman began a ritual to retrieve the soul, but the princess resisted.
• The Arrival of the Sisters: As the shaman fought to reclaim the soul, the princess summoned her sisters for help. One by one, they appeared—first two, then four, then six—to battle the shaman's spiritual power.
• The Command: The stalemate was broken when the Seventh Princess, the eldest and wisest, appeared. Seeing the chaos, she declared:

"Yang laut balik ke laut, yang darat balik ke darat."

(Let those from the sea return to the sea, and those from the land return to the land.)

• The Resolution: The spirits retreated, the fisherman awoke, and as a gesture of thanks, the villagers offered Nasi Berwarna (colored rice) to the sea spirits.

The Performance: Art and Ritual

Traditionally, Ulek Mayang was a healing ritual (Main Pantai) performed on the beach. Today, it is a celebrated cultural dance.

• The Dancers: Usually performed by a group of female dancers representing the princesses and a male lead acting as the Shaman.
• The Mayang: The "Mayang" (coconut palm blossom) is a central prop. It is believed to have the power to attract or house spirits. During the dance, the blossom is often brushed against the dancers or the "sick" person.
• The Music: It is accompanied by a haunting melody played on traditional instruments like the gendang (drums), gong, and biola (violin).
• The Taboo: Because of its ritualistic roots, some believe the song has "spirit-calling" properties. Traditionally, it was rarely performed after sunset or away from the coast for fear of accidentally summoning the sea spirits.

The Iconic Lyrics

The song follows a repetitive, hypnotic structure, calling out each princess by her description:

• Puteri Satu (First Princess): Wears a sanggol sendeng (sideways hair bun).
• Puteri Dua (Second Princess): Wears subang gading (ivory earrings).
• Puteri Empat (Fourth Princess): Wears a selendang kuning (yellow shawl).
• Puteri Tujuh (Seventh Princess): The eldest, who brings order.

Why is it still popular?

Beyond its mystical reputation, Ulek Mayang is a symbol of Terengganu's identity. It has been reimagined by modern artists—most notably by the Malaysian rock singer Ella and the metal band Cromok—ensuring the legend survives in the modern era.

Google Gemini AI

20 January 2026: 3.45 p.m