LONG ago, in the heart of Sarawak, where emerald forests stretched beyond sight and rivers whispered secrets of the earth, lived two princesses of unparalleled beauty and mystical power: Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang. They were sisters, yet as different as the sun and moon. Santubong, tall and commanding, possessed a fiery spirit that could sway armies; Sejinjang, gentle and graceful, held a calm wisdom that could soothe the wildest storms.
Their kingdom was prosperous, filled with laughter, music, and festivals that echoed through the valleys. Yet, behind the palace walls, a silent tension simmered; a rivalry that grew with each passing day.
One morning, a traveller arrived. He was a prince from a distant land, brave and noble, seeking the wonders of Sarawak. His eyes held the depth of oceans, and his smile could tame the fieriest heart. Both sisters saw him and were instantly captivated.
“He is handsome, yes,” Sejinjang said softly to Santubong, “but must admiration always turn into rivalry?”
Santubong’s eyes sparkled with pride. “Admiration is not enough, sister. He is mine, and none shall take him from me.”
Though the prince was polite and respectful, he could not escape the heavy currents of tension swirling around him. He admired Santubong’s courage and fiery elegance, but he could not ignore the warmth and serenity of Sejinjang. Unbeknownst to him, his presence had become the spark that would ignite an extraordinary clash.
As days passed, the sisters’ quarrels grew sharper. Whispers turned to shouting, and the forest seemed to shiver under the weight of their anger. Even the mystical creatures of Sarawak: the hornbills, the river spirits, and the elusive orang bunian (elves)—felt the disturbance and fled to the safety of hidden glades.
One evening, under a sky painted with a blood-red sunset, Santubong confronted her sister on the palace balcony.
“Sejinjang! You dare smile at him as if you own his heart? Do you think gentleness can win over strength?” Her voice rang like thunder across the river.
Sejinjang’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I’ve never wished to take him from you. Why must love bring hatred between us?”
Santubong’s pride could not bear the words. With a cry that echoed through the heavens, she called upon the power of the ancient spirits that ran through her veins. The earth trembled, winds howled like wild beasts, and the rivers rose in protest. Trees twisted and groaned, and the sky darkened as if mourning the fractured bond below.
“I will not be second to anyone!” Santubong screamed. With that, a brilliant light enveloped her as she soared toward the sky. The ground cracked beneath her feet, rock and soil rose violently to form a majestic mountain: Mount Santubong, towering over the kingdom like a sentinel of pride and fiery passion.
Sejinjang, seeing her sister vanish, felt a grief so deep it shook her very soul. She whispered to the earth a song of sorrow, calling upon her own gentle magic. The ground quivered softly, and a second mountain rose in quiet beauty, the Mount Sejinjang. Serene, graceful, and filled with the calm strength of her heart.
The prince, heartbroken by the loss of both sisters, sought them for years. Legends say he ventured into the forests, guided by mystical creatures and enchanted whispers, hoping to find the spirits of Santubong and Sejinjang. He discovered that the sisters’ spirits lingered in the peaks and valleys, their emotions echoing in the rustle of leaves and the flow of rivers.
Some nights, travellers report seeing a fiery figure on Mount Santubong, her eyes blazing like molten gold, laughing with the winds. On Mount Sejinjang, a soft, ethereal glow drifts across the slopes, accompanied by a gentle melody that soothes the weary. The forests are alive with magic, and even today, one can hear the sisters’ voices carried by the breeze. – DayakDaily
Born in Kuching, Sharifah Azra Qistina binti Syed Alsagaf is an 18-year-old student currently pursuing her higher education at UNIMAS. In her free time, she is an avid reader who also loves experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Sharifah is one of the Top 10 winners (Youth category) for DayakDaily’s 2026 Writing Competition with the theme “Sarawak Folklore”.
