Singapore is one of the most rapidly growing countries in Asia. It's been achieving milestones faster than ever in the past decade.
In between all the hustle and bustle, the country is also rich and diverse with its own tales and legends.
Here are some tales that most Singaporeans grew up listening to.
1. Sang Nila Utama.
It all started with this legend — dating way back to the 1200s.
Sang Nila Utama was the Prince of Palembang of the Srivijaya Empire. One day, he spotted an island across the sea while he was hunting.
He wanted to know more about the island, hence he approached his chief minister and asked him about it.
The chief minister told him the island was called 'Temasek', which was Singapore's former name, meaning 'sea town' in the old Javanese language.
Like any curious person would do, Sang Nila Utama decided to venture to the island to see it with his own eyes. He set sail in his ship with his crew.
During the journey, a storm broke out suddenly. The harshness of the waves' impact almost capsized the ship.
Desperate times called for desperate measures. In an attempt to save themselves, they threw heavy items offboard. Sang Nila Utama also threw out his crown in hopes of keeping the vessel afloat.
The weather and the sea immediately became calm, and the crew reached Teluk Belanga (present-day Telok Blangah) safely.
As he explored the island, the prince came upon a creature that looked like a 'Singha' (lion in Sanskrit) and he was overjoyed.
He believed it was a good omen and stayed on the island, which he named as Singapura or Lion City.
And that, folks, was how Singapore was named.
IMAGE: Asian Folktales.
2. The Redhill.
Redhill, also known as Bukit Merah in the Malay language, got its name from a cruel tale of jealousy and spite.
Everything started off with a fierce swordfish infestation in the nearby sea. This swarm of creatures attacked unsuspecting villagers and fishermen by the shores.
The people requested help from the Sultan ('King' in the Malay language) because they had to go out to the waters to fish for a living. However, the Sultan and his royal army could do nothing about it.
In the midst of everything, a young hero appeared and proposed a possible solution to the Sultan.
He proposed to build barricades using banana tree trunks and set it along the affected coast. The Sultan permitted the idea.
The plan actually worked and the young boy earned the respect and admiration of the villagers.
But this glory would bring disaster upon the young hero. as the Sultan was becoming envious of the attention he was getting and felt threatened.
Out of spite and extreme jealousy, the Sultan ordered his men to get rid of the boy, even if it meant killing him by all means necessary.
The boy lived on top of a hill. When the soldiers killed him, his blood flew down the hill and painted everything red.
That's how the Redhill got its name — or so goes the legend.
IMAGE: Roots SG.
3. Badang and the Singapore Stone.
This tale was derived from a local Malay folklore.
Badang was once a poor fisherman who lived his humble life by the Singapore river. One day, he realized a water jinn (spirit) had been stealing his fishes.
He set a trap to catch the spirit and confronted it. The spirit promised to grant Badang a wish in return for its release. With that, he wished to be the strongest man alive.
Impressed by his strength, Badang was soon appointed as a court warrior by the Sultan. His name travelled far and wide. Many warriors from other kingdoms and lands came to challenge him.
India sent its best warrior, Wadi Bijaya to take up the challenge. The two dueled in a series of contests, and the last challenge saw them lifting a massive rock and throwing it towards the Singapore River.
The rock was discovered years later at the same spot where it was said to have landed. There was an inscription on it, probably to commemorate Badang's achievement.
Sadly, only a fragment of the rock survives today as it's been said the British blasted it to pieces in 1843. It is currently housed in the National Museum of Singapore.
IMAGE: Roots SG.
4. Kusu Island.
Kusu Island's backstory is very calming and adorable.
This island is known as the home of a Chinese temple and three Malay shrines. As such, it is known as a sacred site among the locals.
You might be asking, "What is Kusu and how did this name come to be?"
Well, for starters, Kusu means 'turtle' in Hokkien.
Legend has it that a giant turtle once transformed into the island to save a group of stranded Chinese and Malay fishermen who were victims of the stormy weather.
The fishermen returned the following year with offerings to show their gratitude. They built a Chinese temple and Malay shrine on the island.
From then onwards, people headed down on the ninth month of the Lunar Calendar to pay their respects and gratitude to the holy turtle.
IMAGE: Singapore Land Authority.
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