The 7 Ancient Princesses of Ulek Mayang, Miss Grand Malaysia 2021 National Costume design by Aldrin

Presenting the national costume to Miss Grand International 2021 - The 7 Ancient Princesses of Ulek Mayang Ulek Mayang with its origin from Terengganu is an old folk song and dance perform as a healing ritual for a fisherman who fell ill at sea and was believed to be caused by sea spirits and could only be cured by calling upon the spirits of the sea and sending them back to the dark watery depths. The song and performance tells the tale of a sea princess who falls in love with a fisherman while he was at sea. The princess steals the fisherman’s soul, causing him to fall into a trance-like state of semi-consciousness. Once they are back on land, the fisherman’s friends ask a traditional healer (bomoh) to restore his spirit and bring him back to health. During the healing ritual, the bomoh summons the spirit of the sea-princess using a mayang (coconut palm blossom), kemenyan (benzoin resin) and offerings of coloured rice, and calls upon her five sisters to help seize the object of her desire. A tug-of-war ensues between the bomoh and the six princesses for the soul of the fishermen. Finally, the seventh and eldest princess arrives and sends her sisters back to sea with these words: “I know your origins, let those from the sea return to the sea, let those from the land return to the land.” She thus releases the soul of the fisherman and restores his health. Nationak Director : Jude Benjamin Lisa National Costume by Aldrin’s Artistry (Sarawak)