Can a cannon which is associated with warfare be a symbol of fertility? Can a cannon have aphrodisiac properties? Well, if you are finding this difficult to believe then this story from Malaysia’s Penang might shock you!
The Seri Rambai or Sri Rambai cannon is a 17th-century Dutch cannon displayed at Fort Cornwallis in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cannon was originally displayed at George Town’s Esplanade; in the 1950s it was moved to Fort Cornwallis.
The Seri Rambai is a 28-pounder cannon, 3.25 meters long with a calibre of 15 cm. It is the largest bronze cannon in Malaysia. Today, the Seri Rambai is regarded as both a historical artefact and a symbol of fertility, surrounded by legends and prophecies!
The Seri Rambai is an important cultural artefact, representing the rich history and mythology of the region. It is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of fertility, with infertile women visiting the cannon and adorning it with seven-coloured flowers. The cannon is believed to have aphrodisiac properties and local women believe they will be able to bear a child after worshipping it!
History of Seri Rambai cannon
Cast in 1603 by Dutch gunsmith Jan Burgerhuis, the Seri Rambai was given to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch East India Company in exchange for trading concessions. According to local legend, the Seri Rambai was lost during a pirate attack in 1871 and was taken to Penang by the British colonial government. The cannon was initially displayed at George Town’s Esplanade and later moved to Fort Cornwallis in the 1970s.
Named after Seri Rambai ship which sank with the cannon in 1871
Sri Rambai is a brass cannon which has the signature of the Dutch East India Company, casted in 1600s on it. The cannon was named after the Seri Rambai ship which sank with it when the British were transporting the cannon from Selangor to Penang in 1871 after being attacked by pirates.
Gifted by the Dutch East India Company to the Sultan of Johor in the early 1600s, it changed hands several times throughout history. After Johor was attacked by Aceh in 1613, the cannon was taken to Aceh and later sent to Selangor in the late 18th century. In 1871, the British confiscated the cannon during a raid on Selangor and later displayed it at George Town’s Esplanade before moving it to Fort Cornwallis in the 1950s.
It was initially presented to the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Riyayat Shah III in 1606 by the Dutch through the Dutch East India Company before it reached Selangor in 1795 after the Portuguese took possession of the cannon and placed it in Jawana in 1613.
Seri Rambai cannon resurfaced from the sea on its own!
According to legend, Seri Rambai cannon resurfaced from the sea on its own! The incident occurred in 1880 when a prince made a curse upon the cannon by tying a thread on its finger commanding the cannon to resurface from the sea.
Women seeking child worship the cannon and get results!
As per local folklore, Seri Rambai cannon possesses some magical powers due to which if an infertile woman places a flower on its barrel seeking a child, she would be able to conceive a child! Believing in this, infertile women or those wishing for successful pregnancies regularly visit the Seri Rambai and adorn it with 7 coloured flowers. And it works!
The Seri Rambai cannon is believed to be a symbol of fertility according to local folklore. It’s said that women who place flowers in the cannon barrel may conceive. This legend has contributed to the cannon’s cultural significance and popularity among locals and tourists alike. The cannon’s association with fertility is a unique aspect of its history and folklore, making it a fascinating piece of cultural heritage.