In Sarawak, it is common courtesy not to offer a Sarawakian Malay a dish if it contains a certain catfish species more commonly known as "ikan patin". Legend has it that they are forbidden to consume such fish or they're doomed to suffer dire supernatural consequences. Here's how it started:
• It All Starts With a Mysterious Baby
• She Who Must Not Laugh?
Dayang Kumunah grew up to be a beautiful young woman— gentle, smart, and well-mannered. All that would lay eyes on her would instantly be enthralled by her beauty. Despite the long list of admirers, only one gentleman named Awang Usop managed to ask for her hands in marriage. However, Awang Usop was met with one bizarre condition: he must not make Dayang Kumunah laugh— under any circumstances.
• The Day That Promise Was Forgotten
Sadly, a week after their wedding, Awang Gading passed away due to an illness. Deeply saddened by this, Dayang Kumunah mourned for years, and her sorrow was only cured after the birth of five of her children. By this time, Awang Usop had already forgotten about Dayang Kumunah's condition and wondered why he had never seen his wife smile or laugh.
• Farewell, Dayang Kumunah
Eager to witness a change in his wife's expression, Awang Usop urged Dayang Kumunah to laugh. Due to Awang Usop's constant plea, she finally complied. Little did he know that was the last time he'd ever see his wife in her normal state again.
Almost immediately, the gills of a fish started forming at the sides of her mouth, and realizing this, Dayang Kumunah hurried to the river. Confused by what happened, Awang Usop and their children followed suit. By the time they reached the river, Dayang Kumunah has fully transformed into a patin fish. It was then that Awang Usop realized he had broken his promise.
• Dayang Kumunah's Last Words
Before Dayang Kumunah disappeared into the river forever, she turned towards her beloved husband and told him to watch over their children and remind them and their generations to come to never eat patin fish, as it is now forbidden for them to feast on their own kind.
Today, all the Malays in Sarawak are thought to be the descendants of Dayang Kumunah and those who dare to consume patin fish would be met with ugly consequences— a terrible death, mysterious illness, or going irretrivably insane.
Whether this legend is proven true or not, many Sarawakian Malays now simply choose to follow through with the legend as a sign of respect to their ancestors.
