Wednesday, June 24, 2009

How Melaka got her name

Storytelling mode :On

It was the year 1396, a prince from Palembang fled Temasik (Singapore) to find refuge in neighbouring land. In one of his journeys, he was resting under a 'Melaka' tree when he saw a white 'mouse-deer’ surrounded by his hunting dogs. Suddenly, it occurred to him that the he and the mouse-deer situation shared something in common. Both are alone in unknown land, surrounded by enemies.

However, the mouse-deer achieved the improbable. It managed to defend itself and even forced the dog into the river. Parameswara was so taken up by the mouse-deer courage and intelligence. He thought that the place that he was seeking refuge was an auspicious land for the disadvantaged to triumph. Therefore, he named the land as ‘Melaka’, after the Melaka tree he was resting.

Melaka was indeed an auspicious and prosperous land. In 15th centuries, Melaka grew to be a maritime empire and international trading post due to its strategic location (sheltered harbour and located in the middle of the spice trade route between China and India)

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