THE LEGEND OF SURABAYA

Formerly, in wide of ocean,there was a fight between a shark called Sura and a crocodile called Baya. They quarreled just because of scrambling for prey. Both of them were strong,skilful, clever, ferocious, and gluttonous. They had quarreled many times, but no one had won or failed. Finally, they made an agreement.

“I tired of this continuous quarrel, Baya,” said Sura. “I did so. What we have to do to stop our fight?” asked Baya. Sura, who had owned plan to discontinue their fight, immediately explained, “To stop our fight, we better divide the authority territory into two areas. Me, as the ruler of underwater, and I must prey on the prowl just in water area. While you as the ruler of continent and you have to look for your prowl in continent. As boundary between water and continent is place reached by water when ebb!”

“Okey, I agree with your idea!” said Baya. Because of the division of authority territory, there was no fight again between Sura and Baya. Both have agreed in honor of each region. But at one particular day, Sura looked for his prowl in the river. He did it stealthy so that Baya didn’t know. But one day, Baya found this unexpectedly deed. Of course Baya was very angry knowing Sura impinge his promise.

“Hey Sura, why do you impinge regulation we have agree on? How dare you entered river which representing my authority region?” asked Baya. Sura, who felt guilty, answered, “I impinge agreement? This river has water, isn’t it? And I have spelled out members that my territory is in the water, right? So, this river is my authority region.”

“What? That river is located in continent, while your area is sea. Mean, that river is my region!” Baya insist. “It can’t be like that! I have never told if ‘water’ only sea water. I think an irrigate river is also ‘water’,” answered Sura. “Do you intend to ask for trouble, Sura?” asked Baya.

“No, I think my reason is strong enough and I’m sure that I’m in the correct side!” said Sura. “You intend to angle me. I’m not as stupid as you predict!” said Baya start to fulminate. “I don’t care you bright or stupid. The important is river water and sea water are my authority!” Sura didn’t willing to fail. “If so, you mean to lie me, don’t you?! Thereby, our agreement is cancelled! The most powerful one will become single author,” said Baya. “Quarrel again? I’m not scared of you!” challenge Sura egotisticly. Than, a hard duel between Sura and Baya started again. This contention progressively awful and exclaim each other. They were pouncing, nipping, beating, and dashing against each other. During split second, water around them became squeezed by secretory blood of bodily injury from both of them. They continued until scrap furiosly without rest at all. In this awful contention, Baya got a bite on the right of his tail. Hereinafter, his tail always stiff to left side. Whereas Sura’s tail also nipped till almost break. Then Sura back to the ocean. This contention very impress society of Surabaya.

(Source:http://iwanketch.dagdigdug.com/2009/09/05/the-legend-of-surabaya/)

THE LEGEND OF ROROJONGRANG (CANDI PRAMBANAN)

Roro Jonggrang was a very beautiful princess from a Javanese kingdom, Prambanan Kingdom hundred years ago. Her famous beauty was known throughout the country, and princes from far and different land and kingdoms came to propose her. However, her beauty did not make her humble, instead she grew her arrogance even more. She refused all their proposal, and sometime in harsh as well. Many returned brokenhearted.

There was a famous prince by that era, Prince Bandung Bondowoso. He was famous by his strength, power, and good looking. He owned a big kingdom with thousand of soldiers. He too heard of Roro Jonggrang's amazing beauty that he set up to the kingdom to propose her.

Having heard that Prince Bondowoso was coming to marry her, Roro Jonggang grew worried. She disliked the idea of getting married, however, she too understood the consequence if she refused the proposal. She knew that Bondowoso had thousands of soldiers that could attack her kingdom if she disappointed him. So when Bondowoso arrived and proposed her, she was willing to accept it with one condition.

Bondowoso had to make her 1000 temples in one night time. If he failed, then Roro Jonggrang would not marry him. Now, Bondowoso was not only strong, he had thousands of men working for him, and not only men, he owned the power to control the genies as well. He agreed to fulfill Jonggrang's wish and started to work it immediately. He used his power to call all the genies and asked them to keep on working until they completed 1000 temples by the time the rooster crowed the next morning.

The genies worked without stop any second. They would only stop by the time the rooster crowed. Soon hundreds of temples were completed. This made Roro Jonggrang restless. She could not sleep or even closed her eyes. She tried to think any way to fail Bondowoso. Finally, she got an idea. She cut paper in the shape of a circle and glued it in front of a candle holder. She lit the candle and carried it to the chicken coop where the rooster slept. When the rooster saw the candle, it thought that it was almost dawn and the sun was going to rise soon. The rooster quickly got up and in a second, it crowed.

The working genies heard the rooster and thought that the morning had come. Instantly, they stopped working and disappeared leaving the undone temples. There were 999 temples that completed. One more to be built. Bondowoso was disappointed to see this. He was very mad. When he found out that it was the work of Roro Jonggrang, he came to her and cursed her into a stone.

Until now, we can still see the statue of Princess Roro Jonggrang in one of those temples that Bondowoso built for her. The temples are now named Prambanan.

THE LEGEND OF KEONG EMAS

Prince Raden Putra was married to a princess named Dewi Limaran. One day when Dewi Limaran was walking in the palace garden, she saw a snail among her lovely flowers and she had one of her servants pick it up and throw it away. The Snail was actually an old witch who had disguised herself as a snail. The witch was very angry, so she cursed Dewi Limaran and changed her into a golden snail and threw it into the river. The stream carried it far away from the palace.

On the side of a big forest, there lived a poor widow. Her living was only fishing. One day it was a particularly bad day as she didn’t catch any fish. Again and again she spread her net, but nothing got caught into it. At last she pulled up the net to go home. Suddenly she saw something shining at the bottom of it. It was only a snail. Nevertheless she picked it up and took it home. Its shell shone like gold the old woman had never seen such a snail before.

At home she put it in an earthen pot. She then went to bed and soon was fast asleep as she was very tired. The next morning when she woke up, she found to her amazement that the floor had been swept clean and there was some food on the table. She wondered who had done all this. She thought she was dreaming, but she was not. She thought and thought but could not think of anybody who could have been so generous to her.

Some days passed….…..she then got an idea. The next morning she took her basket and went out as usual, but shortly she returned to her hut and hid herself. Suddenly she heard a soft movement inside the earthen pot and saw the snail creeping out of it. It grew bigger and bigger and in a moment a lovely young girl stood where the snail had been. The empty shell fell to the ground behind her. Quickly the young girl swept the floor. Then she took rice, vegetables, meat, eggs etc. out of the pot and began cooking.

When the old woman saw all this, she noticed that it was not an ordinary snail she had caught, but a person who lived under a spell, and she knew what she had to do to break it.

She crept stealthily to the empty shell, took it, and then rushed out of the hut to throw it into the river. Now she had broken only a part of the spell, and the rest of it must still be broken before she could return to her husband.

The young girl then made herself known to the old woman.

“I shall pray to the gods that the prince might be led to his place,” said the old woman.

Many years passed by…….

The king persuaded his son to look for another bride, but at first Prince Raden Putra refused as he could not forsake his wife. In the end, however, the prince asked his father if he could go out to find a bride, but one who was a look-alike of his former wife. An old faithful servant accompanied him on his trip.

They went from town to town and from village to village until one day were travelling through a big forest and they lost their way. Finally the men came to a big river and not far from it they saw a hut. They went to it to ask for some food and drink as they were hungry, thirsty and dead tired. The old woman welcomed them warmly. Raden Putra found the meal served by the old woman excellent. She told him that her daughter had prepared it. Raden Putra then asked whether he might meet and thank her daughter. The old woman had no objections and called her daughter to come out. The young girl appeared and knelt down in front of Raden Putra with her head bent.

When Raden Putra saw her, he caught his breath in great surprise as the young girl looked exactly like his former wife princess Dewi Limaran. “You are the bride I’m looking for!” he cried out. But the girl shook her head and said that she had made a promise : when a man wanted to marry her, he had to obtain the holy gamelan ( Javanese orchestra) from heaven which could make music without being touched.

Raden Putra was willing to try and went out into the forest. He then fasted and meditated. After a hundred days the gods heard and granted his wish.

On their wedding day the holy gamelan played its heavenly music. It was so beautiful that every person who heard it felt happier than ever.

The young girl than revealed her secret, that she was Dewi Limaran herself. The music of the gamelan had broken the evil witch’s spell.

The old woman had been invited to remain in the place. Now she had everything she wanted and sorrow had left her forever.

(Source: http://www.planetmole.org/daily/the-legend-of-keong-mas.html)

SANGKURIANG STORY

Once upon a time, a beautiful lady named Dayang Sumbi gave birth to a boy which she named Sangkuriang. When Sangkuriang was old enough to hunt, he took his mother’s dog Tumang (which according to this legend is an incarnation of a god and also Sangkuriang’s father) and ordered Tumang to chase after a boar. When Tumang did not follow Sangkuriang’s order, Sangkuriang became very angry and he killed Tumang. He carved out Tumang’s heart and brought it back to his mother.

Dayang Sumbi took the heart, cooked it and ate it. When she discovered that the heart belonged to Tumang, her husband, she was overcome with wrath. She sent her son away, but not before she hit him with a spoon and left a deep scar on his head.

Sangkuriang travelled around the world. After a long while, he arrived back in his village again without recognizing it. He saw a beautiful lady and fell in love with her. Little did he know that she was his own mother. He asked for her hand in marriage and she agreed.

Dayang Sumbi later realized that Sangkuriang was her son, as she recognized the scar that she had inflicted. She tried to tell him and break off the wedding, but he didn’t believe her and insisted to go on with the wedding. Dayang Sumbi then set an impossible condition that Sangkuriang has to fulfill in order to marry her: he should build her a big boat and a lake by damming Citarum river, all within one night, and it shall be finished by dawn. Sangkuriang agreed to the condition.

He built a boat from a large tree, and with the help of spirits, he dammed the Citarum river with landslides. The water eventually rose and filled the plain, turning it into a lake. When dawn was near, he was almost ready. Dayang Sumbi realized this, so she prayed for divine intervention. As an answer to her prayers, the eastern horizon lit up. Deceived by the lights, cocks crowed and farmers rose for the new day, thinking that dawn has broken.

Sangkuriang was also deceived. He thought his endeavor has failed. Angrily, he kicked the boat so that it toppled over. This boat became Tangkuban Parahu mountain (tangkuban means upside down, and parahu means boat). The pile of leftover woods became Mt. Burangrang, and the rest of the big tree became Mt. Bukit Tunggul. The lake became lake Bandung (which literally means ‘dam’).

(Source: http://www.indonesiatogo.com/2009/07/04/the-legend-of-sangkuriang/)

THE LEGEND OF MALIN KUNDANG

A long time ago, in a small village near the beach in West Sumatra, a woman and her son lived. They were Malin Kundang and her mother. Her mother was a single parent because Malin Kundang's father had passed away when he was a baby. Malin Kundang had to live hard with his mother.

Malin Kundang was a healthy, dilligent, and strong boy. He usually went to sea to catch fish. After getting fish he would bring it to his mother, or sold the caught fish in the town.

One day, when Malin Kundang was sailing, he saw a merchant's ship which was being raided by a small band of pirates. He helped the merchant. With his brave and power, Malin Kundang defeated the pirates. The merchant was so happy and thanked to him. In return the merchant asked Malin Kundang to sail with him. To get a better life, Malin Kundang agreed. He left his mother alone.

Many years later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. He had a huge ship and was helped by many ship crews loading trading goods. Perfectly he had a beautiful wife too. When he was sailing his trading journey, his ship landed on a beach near a small village. The villagers recognized him. The news ran fast in the town; “Malin Kundang has become rich and now he is here”.

An old woman ran to the beach to meet the new rich merchant. She was Malin Kundang’s mother. She wanted to hug him, released her sadness of being lonely after so long time. Unfortunately, when the mother came, Malin Kundang who was in front of his well dressed wife and his ship crews denied meeting that old lonely woman. For three times her mother begged Malin Kundang and for three times he yelled at her. At last Malin Kundang said to her "Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly woman!" After that he ordered his crews to set sail. He would leave the old mother again but in that time she was full of both sadness and angriness.

Finally, enraged, she cursed Malin Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn't apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed and really set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came. His huge ship was wrecked and it was too late for Malin Kundang to apologize. He was thrown by the wave out of his ship. He fell on a small island. It was really too late for him to avoid his curse. Suddenly, he turned into a stone.

(Source:http://understandingtext.blogspot.com/2009/05/narrative-analysis-on-malin-kundang.html)

THE LEGEND OF TOBA LAKE

Once upon a time, there was a fisherman lived in a North Sumatra. Don’t ask me the year, all I know it was a very long time before you were born. When he was fishing in a river, a big fish was nailed. This fish had gold color all over its body. It was beautiful. The fisherman was very excited. He imagined a delicious dinner in his head. He put the fish in his basket and went home happily.

When he got home, he put the fish in a sink. He grabbed a knife to kill the fish. But when he almost killed it, he saw the fish eyes and felt pity. He took the knife away and put the fish in washbasin and added water in it. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t kill you” the fisherman said.

The fisherman went fishing again. But this time he couldn’t get any fish. He went home with nothing in his hand. His stomach started to sing. He walked home slouching. He was surprised when he saw smoke came out from his kitchen.

“Who cooked in my kitchen?” he confused.
He took a peep and surprised when he saw a beautiful girl cooked in his house. “Why there’s a girl in my kitchen?” he confused.

The fisherman entered the room. “Who are you?” he asked the girl.

“I’m the fish.” The girl said.

The fisherman looked the washbasin and saw nothing in it. “The fish?” he asked incredulous.

“Yes. You didn’t kill me and I’m very thankful. I will return your kindness.” The girl said.

“That’s ok. I didn’t ask any return” the fisherman said.

“But I have to.”The girl insisted.

“Well, I lived alone. I don’t have family. If you want to be my wife, I will be very happy.” The fisherman asked the girl.

The girl smiled and said “I’d love to but you have to promise me that if we have kid you can’t tell him about me.”

And so, the fisherman and the fish girl were married. And then they had a child called Samo. Samo was very naughty. He couldn’t be advisable. He always played and never helped his parents.

One day Samo was asked to deliver lunch to his father. On his way, he met his friends and forgot to deliver his father’s lunch. Samo played with his friends. When he was tired and hungry, he was resting under a tree and ate his father lunch. Meanwhile his father waited him in starve and tired. His father went home and saw Samo played. “Where is my lunch?” he asked.

“Mmm…mm.. I ate it” Samo said afraid.

“Why you ate it?” his father asked.

“Mmm..mm.. I was hungry after playing with my friend” Samo said.

“You were told to deliver my lunch but you didn’t listen.” his father was very furious. “I can’t handle you anymore. You are very naughty. Go away from me. Don’t come home anymore.” His father yelled and evicted Samo from his house.

And this what happened if you can’t control your mouth when you angry. His father said the words that he wouldn’t suppose to say. “You… fish’s son.”

Suddenly, the sky was getting dark. The storm was breaking the ears. The rain felt from the sky like giant hose sprayed water all over the place. And then the water came out from the land and getting harder.

Sumo’s mother was very sad. “I told you don’t tell him about me” she said to her husband. “Now I’m going back to be fish again. Good by” the mother was transformed magically to be gold fish again and disappear through the water. The water was getting higher and drown the village and formed a lake.

Meanwhile, sumo run to the hill and stayed there. The hill then was surrounded by the lake.

Now the lake was known as Toba Lake. Toba came from Tuba word means no mercy. And the hill in the middle called SamosirIsland. Samosir means ‘Samo di usir’ or in English : Samo have been evicted.

This is just a legend, there were so many versions of the name’s story. You can’t tell which one is really true. But I heard this version since I was a little girl.

(Source:http://xastory.blogspot.com/2008/09/legend-of-toba-lake.html)

KEBO IWA STORY

In Bali in the days before, rather than a pair of husband and wife. They just did not have children. One day they go to the shrine. They apply to the Almighty to be descendants.

 

Time also passed. The wife began to contain. How happy they are. Several months later, the baby was born a male. It turns out that the baby is not born normal. When still a baby, he can not eat food for adults. Every day children are more and more.
 

The children grow into adults that big high. Therefore, he called with the name Kebo Iwa, which means ‘Buffalo Uncle’. Kebo Iwa eat and eat and continue with the gluttonous. Old-time drop his parents to meet the taste of food. They also no longer afford to feed their children.

With heavy hearts they ask for the assistance the village. Since it is all the food needs kebo Iim covered village. Residents of the village and then build a house for a very large kebo Iim. They also cook food very much for that. But long-time residents do not feel able to provide food. Then they ask Kebo Iwa to cook your own. They just provide the raw materials.

Kebo Iwa has legs very wide, so that he can travel faster. If he wants to drink, stay Kebo Iwa’s nails thrust into the soil. There was a small wells so that the water issue.

Because of the strength, Kebo Iwa able to rush troops trying to subdue the Majapahit Bali.Maha Patih Majapahit was done some manuver but never succeed. He was invited Kebo Iwa to Majapahit. He then asks Kebo Iwa make some wells, because the government lacking of drinking water.

Kebo Iwa undertakes no suspicious. The Majapahit, he dig more wells. Indeed work hard, because he had to dig in once. When Kebo Iwa are working on the basis of the wells, the Patih ordered troop load Kebo Iwa with lime – then he died in the wells. With the passing away of Kebo Iwa, Bali can be gone down by Majapahit. That is a short history of people who existed on the island of Bali.

These picture above is Kawi Mountain – The highlight is 10 rock shrines cut directly into the cliff face. The place is said to have been created in one night by a single fingernail of Kebo Iwa.

(Source:http://www.baliseeker.com/kebo-iwa-story.html)