The Mystery of Kota Raja Bersiong in Selama
Most people are familiar with the folklore of Raja Bersiong, which is synonymous with Baling, Kedah, but not many know that there are stories told about Raja Bersiong's journey to the state of Perak.
Many are also unaware of the existence of Kota Raja Bersiong, which has long been situated in the mukim of Ijok, Selama. Regardless of the stories, the question remains: is the Raja Bersiong a myth, or did he truly exist? The story, often considered a myth, depicts the tyranny of Raja Bersiong, a king who drank his subjects' blood. It was adapted into a film around 1968, starring Ahmad Mahmud, Sarimah, and Nor Azizah. In the film, Raja Bersiong is portrayed as having an insatiable thirst for blood after his cook accidentally dripped blood into his meal. This is just one version of the story that has been passed down orally for generations.
For the loyal readers of orangperak.com, the story of this king—the fourth descendant of Merong Mahawangsa—is located near the border of Perak and Baling, Kedah. What is the connection between the Raja Bersiong of Kedah and Perak? This article recounts the events of when Raja Bersiong fled to protect himself while being hunted by his ministers and subjects in Kedah. During his stopover in Ijok, Selama, Raja Bersiong and his loyal followers built a shelter in the area, which is now known as Kota Raja Bersiong. According to local residents, by the time Raja Bersiong arrived in this area, his fangs had already been removed back in Baling. It is said that this location, Kota Raja Bersiong, was once where the king resided. In the past, there were tables, chairs, plates, bowls, and various other antique furnishings. All these ancient relics are said to have been buried over time deep within the caves located there.
There are also several mysterious tales often associated with Raja Bersiong. Local residents claim that at night, they can hear loud noises, as if people are pounding mortars, cooking for a feast, and other mysterious events. Because of these strange occurrences, some irresponsible individuals have taken the opportunity to engage in superstitious practices, such as seeking lottery numbers, even offering their own blood during rituals as an exchange. Today, most of the remains of Kota Raja Bersiong have been buried due to erosion and the passage of time. This legendary site has the potential to become a tourism product if properly maintained and managed. Research should be conducted rather than leaving it abandoned, as the truth may yet be uncovered, even if the myths have been embellished through generations of oral storytelling.
The Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa and Kedah folk literature record the story of Raja Bersiong, but no one has been able to provide precise physical evidence of these events. Thus, Kota Raja Bersiong could potentially be a primary site for research to uncover concrete evidence.
