ABSTRACT
The “Malay river” and the fabulous mountain Si-guntangMaha Meru, which plays a large part in Malay tradition. Other States flourished for various periods in Central Sumatra, such as Kampar, Jambi and Siak; these were conquered about 671 by Palembang, and are referred to as the “Malay” country. In Sumatra arose the Menangkabau kingdom, which has had a powerful influence on the modem Malays; its traditions and organization were very different from the Indian autocracy of Palembang, more democratic and racy of the soil, with matriarchal inheritance. The stories of Raja Suran and Sang Superba are as unreal as the descent of the Indian and Malay kings from Alexander the Great, who is mentioned there as following the religion of the prophet Abraham with a strong Islamic flavour. The various stories given are best taken not as details of early history but as illustrative of Malay thought and ideals.
