Simon Soon
Kita ashkar di-tanah Janggi,
Kěrja měnanam gandom barley
Masok běrniaga di-tanah Jawi,
Tanjong Tokong sèdia menanti
Believed to have been first settled by an Ulama from Madura by the name of Haiji Hassan Fusanah in the early 19th century. The main mosque in this area, Masjid Tuan Guru refers to the person of Haji Hassan Fusanah. His grave is located on the hill of Tanjong Tok Kong.
Some of the kampungs that used to exist in this area include: Kampung Tembaga, Kampung Alur,Kampung Mata Air, Kampung Telaga Air, Kampung Kepala Tanjong,Kampung Balik Batu, Kampung Anjung Dangau dan Daun Peringgit.
It is claimed that the fishing community here attracted numerous dukun and pawang. When not practicing the healing arts, they fish using the 'jermal' platform. (Claims that Malaysian A Pictorial History 1400-2000 has a photo).
A boria song records the existence of a Kampung Tembaga:
Orang Melayu pandai mengebat
Seluar hitam baju berkilat
Sepa Kampung Tembaga sudahlah sepakat
Hidup muafakat membawa berkat
Another old pantun said to have emerged during the land reclamation project of the 1940s and 1950s go:
Tanjong Tok Kong tanah merah
Anak dara murah-murah
NOTES:
Alexander Hamilton. 1920. 'The Boria' Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 82 September, 139-44.
2012. 'Asal Usul Tanjung Tokong' Kelav Melayu Pulau Pinang. 24 April. https://web.facebook.com/notes/kelab-melayu-pulau-pinang/asal-usul-tanjung-tokong/10150707150382408/
