Elements of Myths and Legends in the Text Sulalatus Salatin from the Author’s Perspective

Abstract

Myths and legends are the folk processes foregrounded in the past with their own interpretation on the universe and the creatures in it and apparently considered as the truth by the storyteller or its followers. The text Sulalatus Salatin excellently written by A. Samad Ahmad has now becoming the heritage of Malay supremacy. It is loaded with grandeur narrative elements of the fantasy to the realm of reality. Thus, this study examines the elements of historiography (the origin), symbolism, humanities and the majesty of figure through a metaphorical prose role particularly in researching the life hierarchy of the ruler and its people. This thorough study is conducted on the elements of plot, setting and unique character driven as the implicit narrative element, sarcasm, advice and the metaphorical to significantly prove such delivery style of philosophy. Myths and legends were addressed through various elements indicating the glory thoughts of the Malay author in conveying messages courteously and implicitly. Based on the results of this study, it was found that text Sulalatus Salatin has not only acted as Malay historical discourse alone, but each element presented implicitly contains high philosophical value of culture, religion and civilisation of the Malay race and reflects the high-end thinking credibility of the Malays. In addition, the metaphorical techniques used by the author in telling the story exhibits a style that is not easily comprehended on the surface, but encourages the readers to further analyse it in a real context. Hence, it is evident that Salatin Sulalatus previously seen from the lenses of myths and legends actually withholds a golden treasure of Malay thoughts in upholding its race.