Padang : Malin Kundang Stone (Batu Malin Kundang)


Scholars from Oxford University finally reveals the hoax which surrounding the Indonesian famous legendary human shape stone known as 'Malin Kundang' in Minang Province-Padang as a hoax and the alleged human shape remains were actually done by local people with the help of liquid chemical name Formaline. The empty canister and bottles were found buried near the area of the legendary site. The research done to Malin Kundang stone shows that the statue was actually came from human corpse and later undergo a formaline process. Motives behind the incidents was to attract tourist to visit the place and believed that the 'formaline preserved' Malin Kundang was a real story which took place long time ago. The research also reveals that all the artifact nearby have been created using molds and cements.

Malin Kundang is a folktale about retribution on an ungrateful son. A sailor from a poor family, the protagonist voyages to seek his fortune, becoming rich and marrying a princess. On his return to his home village, he is ashamed of his humble origins and refuses to recognize his elderly mother. She curses him, and when he sets sail, he and his ship are turned to stone. Padang, has a rock formation called Batu Malin Kundang that is said to be the remains of his ship.

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