Batu Malin Kundang — Attraction in Padang

This 'rock' is believed to be the stone remains of a man who went off and made his riches. However even as a rich man he neglected his mother so she cursed him. This curse resulted in him being turned to stone. The rock, that is supposedly this person is definitely no longer the original. In the short time I was there I saw many people kick the stone, hit it, rub it, sit and stand on it. I'm sure that over the years of people doing this, plus any high tide action, probably wore down and most likely wore away the original stone. Now it's very obviously a concrete fabrication. As a side note, before reaching the Batu Malin Kundang I was trying to explain to my Indonesian friend what the English word anti-climatic means. When we finally reached it I turned to him and said... "This is a great example of anti-climatic." My friend insisted that this was based on a true story. My remark was, "The story might be true, but the rock is not." Even he conceded...

Malin Kundang is an Indonesia version of a Southeast Asian folktale about retribution on an ungrateful son. Similarly, Malaysia version is Si Tanggang, while the Brunei version is called Nakhoda Manis. Malin Kundang, Si Tanggang or Nakhoda Manis, was a sailor from a poor family. His father died when he was a baby, hence, he was very attached and loved by his mother. One day, he sneaked onto a trading ship, eventually became rich and married a princess. On his return to his home village, he was ashamed of his humble origins and refused to acknowledge his elderly mother. It was because the rich man saw his elderly mother was dirty and poor. She curses him, and when he sets sail, he and his ship are turned to stone. The stone is located at the Air Manis Beach, Southern part of Padang, West Sumatera. The granite stone is said to be same kind as the rock from Harau Valley, Payakumbuh. You can stroll along the beach or ride the ATV to...

The legend tells us that Malin Kundang was the son of Mande Rubayah, who was a poor-widow woman. Malin went to the city, far away from his hometown. To make the story short, Malin then succeeded, became a wealthy man. Someday, Malin was eager to visit his hometown and the plan was heard by his mom.

Malin came by sail with a great ship. When he arrived at the beach, suddenly, his mom ran and tried to hug Malin because of her yearning with him. But, Malin was not recognized for his mom and she was angry with Malin's statement.

Suddenly, Mande Rubayah vowed, "Malin, you are really not recognized as your mom. So, I vowed you're gonna be a stone". Then, Malin changed his body and his ship became a stone, so salled fossil.

This legend was a symbol of a mom's anger and swearness. So, never make your mom angry with you: appreciate...