The Fisherman the Sea Would Not Return

Awang came back from the sea alive.

He would not wake.

A storm had struck the fishermen's boat and thrown the men into the water. His companions survived and made it back. Awang's body came back with them, but he remained unconscious.

In one Terengganu telling of Ulek Mayang, the explanation was that he had not returned completely.

Puteri Mayang Sari, one of seven princesses associated with the sea, wanted to keep him in another realm.

A pawang laut was called.

The old healing practice centred on a mayang, the flowering cluster of a palm. It was prepared with incense and coconut oil while the ritual specialist began the invocation.

The first princess was called.

Awang did not wake.

Another was called.

Then another.

The ritual moved through the younger sisters while Awang remained where he was, breathing but unresponsive.

Only when the seventh princess was invoked did the struggle end.

The old refrain attached to Ulek Mayang divides the worlds clearly: what belongs to the sea must return to the sea, and what belongs on land must return to land.

Awang opened his eyes.