The Legend of Naga Tasik Chini

Naga Tasik Chini, or the Dragon of Chini Lake, is a mythical creature that is said to inhabit the second largest freshwater lake in Malaysia, located in the state of Pahang. According to the Malay folklore of Pahang, Naga Tasik Chini is also known as Naga Seri Gumum, a giant creature that resembles an Asian dragon with scales and horns. There are various legends associated with this creature, especially those related to the origin of the lake itself, but there are also other stories that tell of a love affair between a woman named Seri Gumum and a man of the Nāga race named Seri Kemboja that led to the creation of Tioman Island and Lingga Island.

One of the legends tells of five dragon brothers who practiced a mystical art that allowed them to live for hundreds of years and transform into dragons with different colored scales. Seri Daik became a golden-scaled dragon and lived in Palembang, Seri Gumum (iron-scaled) and Seri Pahang (silver-scaled) lived together in Chini Lake, Seri Kemboja (copper or bronze-scaled) came from Cambodia, and Seri Siam (ordinary-scaled) came from Siam. Each dragon was accompanied by a white crocodile as a guard. They could only appear as dragons at night because the daylight would turn them into stone, so they took human form during the day.

The color of the scales depended on the duration of their meditation. At first, they had ordinary scales, then after 25 years they became iron-scaled, after another 25 years they became copper or bronze-scaled, after another 25 years they became silver-scaled, and finally after reaching 100 years they became golden-scaled. Based on this logic, Seri Daik was the oldest, followed by Seri Pahang, Seri Kemboja, Seri Gumum, and Seri Siam as the youngest. These dragons were said to be the protectors of Pahang.

One day, Seri Kemboja came to Pahang to challenge Seri Pahang. They fought fiercely until Seri Kemboja was almost defeated but managed to escape and ask for help from Seri Siam. Seri Siam then asked the King of Siam to prepare 100 cannons with golden bullets along the coast of Pahang to attack Seri Pahang who had silver scales. Seri Pahang came out to face the army of Siam, but could not withstand the rain of golden bullets and fell into the sea; his body became Tioman Island marked by his two horns that became hills.

Another legend tells of a beautiful princess named Seri Gumum who was trapped in a forbidden garden on an island in the lake. She was cursed by her father, Sultan Mahmud Shah II, for refusing to marry any of his chosen suitors. She was guarded by a white crocodile named Bujang Senang who would only allow her father to visit her once a year. One day, a handsome prince named Seri Kemboja came to the lake and saw her on the island. He fell in love with her and managed to sneak into the garden by turning into a dragon. He wooed her and they eloped together by flying away as dragons.

However, their escape was noticed by Bujang Senang who alerted Sultan Mahmud Shah II. The sultan was furious and ordered his army to chase them down. He also asked for help from his brother-in-law, Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain of Siam, who had 100 cannons with golden bullets. The lovers were shot down by the cannons and fell into the sea; their bodies became Lingga Island marked by their two tails that became hills.

The legend of Naga Tasik Chini is not only a fascinating tale of romance and adventure, but also a reflection of the cultural and historical influences of the region. The names of the characters suggest connections with other kingdoms such as Palembang, Cambodia, and Siam, which were part of the Malay world in ancient times. The use of golden bullets as weapons against silver-scaled dragons may also symbolize the power struggle between different dynasties or factions. The lake itself is a natural wonder that supports a rich biodiversity and a local community that still preserves its traditions and customs.

Naga Tasik Chini is more than just a mythical creature; it is a part of the identity and heritage of Pahang.