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Page 11
 
 
 
 

 

Shak-yer Sinyor Layla

 

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- The First Six Pages of the Book -

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Ini lah Shakyer Sinyor Layla
Translated and Revised by
Aboo and Pinch

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1. Date of Publication : 1912.
2. Publisher : Criterion Press.
3. Place of Publication : Georgetown, Penang .
4. Pages : 111 pages ( Complete )
   
   • 3 : Introduction by the editors : M.A Bakar and T.P Chong.
   • 4 : Errata
   • 5-108 : Shak-yer Sinyor Layla
5. Paper : Poorly bound between thin red covers and printed on white paper
6. Watermarks : Brittania surmounted by a crown over the initials "E.L" and the words "London" and "Perfection - London"
7. Condition : Good and readable but requires serious conservation.

Cherita Orang Dahulukala .....

The "Shak-yer Sinyor Layla" is a Baba Malay adaptation of a famous Malay Syair known variously as the Syair Sinyor Kosta and Syair Silam Bari . The tale is a popular one, probably originating from an actual event set in the 17th century, but more noted for its simple plot and humorous characters. The age of this work is uncertain, as although the oldest existing manuscript of the Syair is dated 1806, the tale refers to Portugese/Dutch characters and could have well been composed during the Dutch or even Portugese occupation of Malacca. The written text version of the tale however has been attributed to Sultan Badroeddin of Palembang, who was exiled by the Dutch to Ternate in 1821. He could have possibly been the first authorative figure to have set the Syair onto paper, rather than having to have had actually written the Syair per se , as the Syair has a composite usage of Malay that points it to a non-native speaker as the original author.

Enticed by further rewards, Mak Milam successfully changes Layla Mayang's mind and she agrees to flee with Sinyor Layla, under the condition that he rescues her immediately. Overjoyed at this news, Sinyor Layla prepares his ship for a speedy departure. Meanwhile, Chaykua extends an invitation to Sinyor Layla to attend a dinner party at his residence, being oblivious to the scandal occuring in his own house. Sinyor Layla takes the chance to get Chaykua drunk and while the merchant was thus inebriated, Sinyor Layla rescues Layla Mayang and flees to his ship and sets sail that very night.

Chaykua wakes up from his drunken stupor to discover that his concubine had fled with his guest, and in an understandable fit of rage, he angrily demanded the help of the local ruler to capture Sinyor Layla. Chaykua sails in pursuit of Sinyor Layla, and engages him in a fierce battle on the open sea. Naturally after a heated confrontation, which sees the defeat of Chaykua through the intervention of a sudden storm, Sinyor Layla and Siti Layla Mayang lives happily ever after.