Si Tanggang (The Unfilial Son)

folktale · Malaysia · Southeast Asian

A Malaysian folktale from Negeri Sembilan closely related to the Indonesian Malin Kundang. Tanggang, the son of a poor fisherman, leaves his mother to seek fortune overseas. After becoming a wealthy captain with a fine ship, he returns to his village. His elderly mother, overjoyed, wades into the water to greet him, but Tanggang denies knowing her, ashamed of her poverty-stricken appearance. His mother curses him for his ingratitude. A violent storm erupts, and Tanggang and his ship are petrified into stone. The rock formation known as Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup (Split Stone, Closing Stone) is

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