Legends from the deep rise up in Nusantara fantasy book 'Bentala Naga'

‘We need to remember we have our own legends, ’ says Ninot. Photo: Handout

Many ancient South-East Asian kingdoms have tales of people living beneath the waves. One of these classic seafaring stories, first told generations ago, now sets sail again.

Bentala Naga: A Makyong Tale is a Nusantara fantasy adapted from the mak yong dance form. It is now retold for modern readers by Ninot Aziz and accompanied by illustrations from Walid Muhammad, Dani Warguide and Atiqah Nik Ghazali.