1. Myths & Legends

2. Introduction One popular legend among the past settlers of Singapore was the legend of the Singapore Stone, which had many carvings engraved on it. A fragment was found at the mouth of the Singapore River with many carvings etched on it. Some say the carvings on the stone tell the story of a Malay “Superhero” named Badang. The Legend is as follows:

3. The Legend of Badang Once a upon a time, in a place called Saluang, there lived a slave named Badang. He spent his days toiling over his master's land. But when he was not working he would catch fish by setting up traps along the sea bed. But for some time, Badang had found that his traps were always filled with fish bones and half-eaten fish. Suspecting that someone had been eating his catch, he decided to trap the culprit.

4. The Legend of Badang One day he hid in the woods near his fish traps and waited patiently. To his shock an ugly beast appeared, bigger than any man he had ever seen. It had long, rough hair and a beard that reached its waist. It also had a pair of horns and tusks that protruded from its upper jaw. And its eyes were as red as fire. Thinking that no one was looking, the creature trudged heavily and cautiously towards the traps and helped itself greedily to the fishes.

5. Upon seeing what the creature had done, Badang got more angry than frightened. He quickly jumped out and attacked the creature with his parang (machete). He sprang out of the bushes, grabbed the beast by its beard and held his parang to its neck. The monster, fearing for its life, begged for mercy. He promised to grant Badang any wish if he spared its life. Badang agreed on condition that the monster could grant him great strength. The Legend of Badang

6. However to obtain the strength that he wished for, Badang had to do something disgusting -- eating the vomit of the creature. He did and he acquired the strength he desired. True to his word, Badang spared the beast and set it free. Soon Badang discovered that his great strength was to bring him fame and fortune and free from bondage. The Legend of Badang

7. News of his great strength travelled and spread across the neighbouring lands and finally his reputation came to the attention of the King of Singapore, Seri Rama Wira Kerma. Badang was summoned to the courts so that the King could see for himself the extent of his strength. The King asked Badang to push a 45-foot boat which the King had ordered for construction, to the sea. The Legend of Badang

8. It was a heavy boat that even one thousand men could move only slightly. However when Badang set upon the task, he pushed the boat like a child's plaything. Impressed by his strength the King decided to appoint Badang the commander of its army. As a result, Badang's reputation became even more widespread and more adventures were soon to follow him in his illustrious career. The Legend of Badang

9. For example in one encounter, Badang had to wrestle with a challenger sent by the Raja of India in which Badang emerged victorious. The challenger who was called Nadi Bijaya Pikrama was a fierce looking wrestler. In another he managed to thwart the challenge from the noble of Perak, Benderang. It was said that both of them had to lift up identical rocks and throw them. The Legend of Badang

10. The winner would be determined by the distance of the throw. To show off his strength, Benderang lifted a huge stone and threw it as far as it could. It traveled only about a metre or so, but that was already an amazing feat, as the stone was of an enormous mass. Badang won the competition with his next throw: He picked up the stone, and threw it with all his might. Due to his Superhuman strength, the stone flew past all the stunned onlookers and landed near the mouth of the Singapore river. The Legend of Badang

11. He won the competition thus and avoided conflict between both countries. According to legend, Badang lived the remainder of his life in Singapore and dedicated himself to serving the Kingdom under Seri Rama Wira Kerma. Whilst he was appointed as commander in chief, the Kingdom of Singapore enjoyed ever lasting peace and security. It was said that the Singapore stone which has ancient Javanese carvings engraved on it was the exact same stone which Badang threw, and that the Javanese carvings tell his legend. The Legend of Badang

12. Sadly, there is none who live who can interpret the ancient Javanese language. The stone was fragmented to bits in 1846, leaving behind the legend and proof of the ancient Javanese settlement. The Legend of Badang