The ungrateful son
A lesson in honouring parents.
Crisco 1492 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jeromi Mikhael — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rhmtdns — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Theanann — CC BY-SA 4.0
A calm-watered beach behind Gunung Padang, about ten kilometres south of the city, tied to West Sumatra's most famous legend: Malin Kundang, the ungrateful son. The tale tells of a poor young man who went away and became a rich merchant, and when he returned in his ship he denied his old mother out of shame before his wife; she prayed against him, a storm rose, and he was turned to stone. On the beach lies a rock in the shape of a man bowed in prostration, with the remains of a stone ship, which locals say are Malin Kundang and his vessel; in truth it is a memorial sculpture made in the 1980s. The tale is told to children across Indonesia and Malaysia as a lesson in honouring one's parents, a meaning close to Arab visitors' hearts. The beach is free, the waves are small, and two little islands lie offshore, one of which can be reached on foot at low tide or by small boat. There are food and drink stalls around, and a fine view north to Gunung Padang. The best times are late afternoon and sunset. It combines with Siti Nurbaya hill and its bridge on the way back into the city.
A lesson in honouring parents.
A figure bowed in prostration.
A family-friendly beach.
Air Manis, about 10 km south of central Padang
No, it is a modern memorial sculpture of the legend. But the tale itself is old and known throughout Indonesia, and people visit for its meaning.