Background
The story of the Twelve Sisters is part of the folk tradition of certain countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and the folktales derived from it come in different versions, often under different titles depending from the country. This legend was also brought to Malaysia by the Malaysian Siamese where it became popular among the Malaysian Chinese community.
It is a long story about the life of twelve sisters abandoned by their parents and adopted by an ogress (Lao Sundara; Khmer: Santhomea; Thai: Santhumala) disguised as a beautiful lady. The conclusion is the sad love story about the only surviving son of the twelve sisters, Rathasena (Thai: Phra Rothasen พระรถเสน; Khmer: Rithisen or Puthisen; Lao: Putthasen) with Manora (Thai: Meri เมรี; Lao: Kankari; Khmer: Kong Rei), the adopted daughter of ogress Sundara. At the end both died together upon the long and lonely shore of a lake.
Read more about this topic: Nang Sib Song
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