Terengganu Beaches The Origin Of Ulek Mayang

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Kelulut beach, located in the district of Marang, Terengganu, Malaysia is a popular beach among the locals and tourists. From this beach, visitors could see Kapas Island separated by the sea. This beach is located right next to the main road connecting Kuantan to Kuala Terengganu.

Along the beach, there are many resorts and accommodations ranging from cheap, budget accomodations to luxury accomodations. Set along the beach also souvenirs shops and local seafood product outlets. If you need to satisfy your stomach, you can choose among the food stalls and restaurants running along the beach.

This beach may not seem so special but today I have a chance to capture some pictures of the beach during my routine travel to work. More than special, I could capture the sunrise at the beach. Enjoy the photos guys






This beach had been prepared for what the locals call 'pesta pantai' or beach festival. Long time ago the festival was celebrated in Batu Buruk Beach until some years ago the government decided to relocate the festival to Kelulut Beach. 
Beach festival was originated from an ancient tradition to perform a feast to favor the spirit of the sea. They favor the spirit of the sea to protect them from the high tides and give them many catches. Soon the ancient believes faded away as the religion saves them from such believing. The festival continues as a festival to please the peoples and give them some entertainment after a full year of working. 




There is a song called Ulek Mayang that is believed to be a chant to call the spirit of the sea in relieving a fisherman that has been possessed by a princess of the spirit. It is believed that the princess had fallen in love with the fisherman and a shaman had been called to relieve him. The princess then called upon another five princess to fight the shaman. The fight continues until the seventh princess which is the eldest of them all came and summon all of them to return to their origins. Those who came from the sea, return to the sea. Those who came from the land, return to the land. The shaman and the villagers are very grateful to the seventh princess and express their gratitude by offering yellow colored glutinous rice to the princess which is then lead to the beach festival.

Nowadays, Ulek Mayang song had been a traditional song sing along with a traditional dance which is performed by women wearing much a like of an ancient princess accompanied by a group of traditional musician. It is believed that this song is prohibited to be sang on or around any beaches in the shoreline of Terengganu. Such singing acts could lead to the dancers to be possessed by the seventh princess of the sea spirit and she will become unconscious until relieved by a religious scholar. Malaysian rock lady , Ella and an underground rock band Cromok had recorded the song in their album.

This is the lyrics of the song :

Ulek mayang ku ulek
Ulek dengan jala jemala
Ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan tuannya puteri
Ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan jala jemala
Ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan puterinya dua

Puteri dua berbaju serong
Puteri dua bersanggol sendeng
Puteri dua bersubang gading
Puteri dua berselendang kuning
Umbok mayang diumbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Nok ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan puterinya empat

Puteri empat berbaju serong
Puteri empat bersanggol sendeng
Puteri empat bersubang gading
Puteri empat berselendang kuning
Umbok mayang diumbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Nok ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan puterinya enam

Puteri enam berbaju serong
Puteri enam bersanggol sendeng
Puteri enam bersubang gading
Puteri enam berselendang kuning
Umbok mayang diumbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Nok ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan puterinya tujuh

Puteri tujuh berbaju serong
Puteri tujuh bersanggol sendeng
Puteri tujuh bersubang gading
Puteri tujuh berselendang kuning
Umbok mayang diumbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Nok ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan tuannya puteri

Tuan puteri berbaju serong
Tuan puteri bersanggol sendeng
Tuan puteri bersubang gading
Tuan puteri berselendang kuning
Umbok mayang diumbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Nok ulek mayang diulek
Ulek dengan tuannya puteri

Ku tahu asal usul mu
Yang laut balik ke laut
Yang darat balik ke darat
Nasi berwarna hamba sembahkan
Umbok mayang ku umbok
Umbok dengan jala jemala
Pulih mayang ku pulih
Pulih balik sedia kala
Now enjoy an Ulek Mayang song and dance performed in Esplanade Singapore some time ago


Listening to the song alone gives me a goosebumps.

Enjoy

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