This is an ongoing project. I have been working on this so-called research (on-off) for quite some time, trying to connect all the stories, mostly verbal storytelling, from the elders in my family.
3 years ago, I took my brother (Angah) and Mak Teh on a roadtrip to Terengganu. Our family has histories in Terengganu as my late grandfather used to work there for a long time, until his retirement. We stayed at Mak Lang Rohana’s place at Kemasek throughout the journey. Every night we will spend the time at the dining table, relaying stories of old times. Good thing I recorded the conversations.
My late grandfather was Haji Abdul Malek Bin Bewan. It was said that his family came all the way from Sumatera, and when they moved to Tanah Melayu, they resided at Chembong, Rembau. Based on Mak Teh’s story, Atuk had four siblings. Bonyo (elder sister), a brother (unknown) and Simbam (younger sister).
Atok first married to Baok, they had 2 children. Yusuf (Pak Long Jebat) and Itam (Mak Ngah).
Atok second marriage was to Sulong @ Rukayyah Binti Salleh, my late grandmother. With my Nenek, they had 11 children.
- Siti Eshah
- Siti Atikah
- Mohd Yassin
- Mohd Hamzah
- Siti Noriah
- Siti Azizah
- Siti Abiah
- Mohd Yunus
- Asmah
- Mad Said
- Siti Rahhah
My mother is Asmah. As i’m writing this, only Siti Abiah is still around. She is my Mak Teh.
For recording purposes, I am going to continue transcribing some of the stories from that night.
My Atok’s younger sister, Simbam been married three times. First to Haji Ismail, second to a man known as Mengkabau, and the the third husband is Abdul Jalil. Not much known about the first two ex-husbands (until Mak Lang joined the conversation later on and talked about Mengkabau who ran away to Terengganu).
From her third marriage to Abdul Jalil, Simbam had six children; Nordin, Hashim, Karim, Sulaiman, Ali, and Rogayah (Pon).
Hashim (Simbam) married Siti Aisyah (Malek). “Kahwin sepupu” was a very common practice last time. My late Pak Long Hashim was a policeman in Singapore. They had six children together. My cousins that are still alive are Habibah (Bibah), Naharuddin (Wadud), Zaharuddin (Udin) and Zainuddin (Kamal). The other two whom I’ve never met was Haziah (4th) and Haliza (6th) As am writing this, Kak Long Bibah now resides in Taman College Heights, Seremban. Abd Wadud in Senawang. Abd Udin still in Singapore, while Abg Kamal in Taman Tasik Puteri, Rawang.
Simbam’s youngest child, whom I called Mak Su Pon (Rogayah) married to Pak Su Leman. Together they had five children. Wahiruddin (Din), Zaharuddin (Zaha), Roza, Suhaimi (Jimmy) and Ogy. As of writing, Mak Su Pon is still alive, but not in a very good health.
From what I learnt, Atok been married sixth times. Though, not much known about the other ex-wives.