
The tomb of Mahsuri was built
centuries after she was unjustly
killed at Padang Mat Sirat, after
which her body was said to have been
unceremoniously thrown over a cliff
somewhere on the island and never
recovered. The location where the
dastardly deed was carried out still
exists today. It is right next to
the traffic lights on the main road
that runs through the town of Padang
Mat Sirat. A huge concrete keris
marks the actual spot next to an old
tamarind tree. It is not the
tamarind tree that many Langkawi
folk say was among the mute
witnesses of the execution. The real
tree died ages ago.
However,
the Mahsuri Memorial Complex in
complex in Kampung Mawat, Ulu
Melaka, attempts to recreate
and celebrate the life and times of
Mahsuri. The place exhibits replicas
of wooden houses that could have
been in use during her days. The
main house, built high on wooden
stilts displays a small bedroom, an
enclosed veranda with low windows
and a spartan kitchen. A group of
women living around today's Kampung
Mawat would gather in the house
during certain time of the week to
perform traditional songs.

Also
built within the complex is the
sprawling replica of the the Balai
Indera Makam Segara, which is the
house in which Datuk Pekerma Jaya,
who ordered the execution, used to
live. Here, on the veranda, a group
of youngsters would perform
traditional music reminiscent of the
bygone days using the gendang
(drum) and the serunai
(flute). Next is the Seri Tama, the
house owned by Panglima Hitam, Datuk
Pekerma Jaya's trusted henchman.
A
replica of Mahsuri's house stands
next to it. A row
of animal enclosures keep some small
mammals and birds found in Langkawi.
Two traditional Malay warung (food
stall) are available within the
compound - one next to Seri Tama,
facing the padi fields and the other
near the animal cages. Mahsuri's
well is located in front of the
warung. A stand sells purified water
from the well with printed claims of
its curative properties.
The
air conditioned Mek Mulung Theatre
is where the tragedy of Mahsuri is
regularly performed by the Kota
Mahsuri Drama Group. The group has
staged the play abroad, including in
South Korea.

A
circular grassy spot opposite the
theatre is the Tomb of Mahsuri. It
has been rebuilt from the earlier
one constructed under the
supervision of Malaysia's first
Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
Putra Al-Haj, who had served as the
island's District Officer in 1936.
The main building comprises the
ticketing counter, souvenir shops
and the Mahsuri Museum, which
showcases many aspects of the
legend.
Opening Hours:
Open
9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Theatre
Showtime:
3.00 pm daily (except Wednesdays)
Theatre Ticket:
Malaysian:
RM5 /
Foreign: RM10
Entrance:
Malaysian:
RM5 adult & RM2.50 child / Foreign:
RM10.00 adult & RM5 child.
Address:
Kota Mahsuri,
Kampung Mawat,
Mukim Ulu Melaka,
07000, Langkawi,
Kedah Darul Aman.
Tel : +604
955 6055 Fax : +604 573 7773 |
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