The Mystery of the Singapore Stone Explained

Perhaps not many people are aware of Badang and the Singapore Stone story. A long time ago, before dazzling skyscrapers pierced the skyline of Singapore, and long before colonial ships arrived under Stamford Raffles, there lived a man with unimaginable strength.

A man so powerful that he could clear an entire forest in a single day…

A man who hurled a massive stone that stood for hundreds of years at the mouth of the Singapore river. That stone, once covered in an unknown script, has since been destroyed during colonial times to make way for development. Today, only fragments remained, preserved in the National Museum of Singapore.

His name was Badang, and this is the tale of Badang and the Singapore Stone story, so well known in the Malay world and Singapore folklore that it needs little introduction.

The Origin Story of Badang

The Badang story comes from the ancient Malay text, the “Sejarah Melayu”, also known as the Malay Annals in English.

It is a collection of origin stories, myths, and legends surrounding the Malay world, including royal traditions, culture, and early history. There are many translations available online if you are interested to read.

Badang was once a slave to a man named Salwang, who worked the land. His master often sent Badang to clear the jungle.

One day, while working in the forest, Badang decided to catch some fish and set up a snare. But when he returned the next morning, all the fish were gone. Only scales and bones remained. He cleared the remains and reset the snare.

This continued for several days. Determined to uncover the truth, Badang hid among the reeds and waited to see who, or what, was stealing his catch.

What he saw shocked him.

The Demon of the River

Before him appeared a ghostly being, feasting on the fish he had caught. Its eyes burned red like fire. Its hair was coarse and matted like a basket. Its beard hung down to its navel, and in its hand, it held a knife.

Despite the terrifying sight, Badang gathered his courage and confronted the creature.

He seized the demon and threatened to kill it for stealing his fish. Frightened, the demon begged for mercy and promised to grant Badang any wish he desired.

The Gift of Strength

Badang thought carefully. If he asked for wealth, it would only belong to his master. If he asked for invisibility, he saw little use for it. Instead, he chose something far greater.

He asked for immeasurable strength.

The demon agreed, but with one strange condition. Badang would have to consume its vomit. Without hesitation, Badang accepted and swallowed it.

Immediately, he felt a surge of immense power. To test his strength, he grasped one of the largest trees nearby, and uprooted it effortlessly, breaking it into pieces with ease.

He then released the demon and returned to his master.

A Show of Strength

On his way back, Badang cleared every tree along the path, turning the dense forest into open land. When his master saw this, he was astonished and asked who had cleared the jungle.

Badang replied that it was him and recounted the entire encounter. Impressed beyond belief, his master granted him his freedom.

News of Badang’s incredible strength soon reached the ruler of Singhapura, Sri Rama Vikrama. The king summoned Badang and upon witnessing his strength, appointed him as a Raden (a title roughly meaning a lord).

Badang then became the king’s hulubalang (champion or warrior), gaining great prestige at court. From that moment on, Badang’s strength became legendary across the region.

The Singapore Stone Mystery

During one of Badang’s contests of strength with a warrior from India, a massive stone lay within the king’s hall. The king declared that whoever could lift the stone would win the duel.

The Indian warrior stepped forward first. He struggled with all his might but could only raise the stone to his knee before dropping it.

Then came Badang.

He lifted the stone effortlessly. With a single motion, he hurled it far into the mouth of the river. That very stone is believed to be the famous Singapore Stone, which stood at the mouth of the Singapore River for centuries.

Over time, the stone became known for its mysterious inscriptions, carvings in a script that no one has been able to fully decipher.

Unfortunately, the stone was later demolished, and only fragments remain today in the National Museum of Singapore.

Badang’s fame continued to spread across distant lands, and he went on to challenge many powerful warriors, defeating them all.

Badang and the Singapore stone story highlights his journey from a slave to a free man and eventually a royal champion. It is a classic rags-to-riches tale, echoed in many cultures around the world.

But more than that, it reflects the richness and pride of the Malay world in its golden age. It is also a reminder that Southeast Asia holds its own epic legends, stories just as powerful as those from any other part of the world, waiting to be rediscovered.

If you were interested in Badang and the Singapore Stone history, do check out the 4 Mysterious and Powerful Neak Ta of Cambodia That Guard the Land and Haunt Its Legends

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