The Enchanted Journey of Lutung Kasarung: A Tale of Love, Jealousy, and Redemption in the Heart of the West Java Kingdom
Indonesian Folklore Homepage
Folklore from West Java
PRABU Tapa Agung was an old king. He had two daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. Prabu Tapa Agung planned to retire as a king. He wanted Purbasari to replace him as the leader of the kingdom. Hearing this, Purbararang was angry.
"You cannot ask her to be the queen, Father. I'm older than she is. It's supposed to be me, not her!" said Purbararang. But the king still chose Purbasari to be the next queen.
Purbararang then set a bad plan with her fiance, Indrajaya. Together they went to a witch and asked her to put a spell on Purbasari. Later, Purbasari had bad skin. There were black dots all over her body.
"You are not as beautiful as I am. You cannot be the queen. Instead, you have to leave this palace and stay in a jungle," said Purbararang.
Purbasari was very sad. Now she had to stay in the jungle. Every day she spent her time playing with some animals there. There was one monkey that always tried to cheer her up. It was not just an ordinary monkey, he had magical power. And he also could talk with humans. The monkey's name was Lutung Kasarung. He was actually a god. His name was Sanghyang Gurumina. Lutung Kasarung planned to help Purbasari. He made a small lake and asked her to take a bath there. Amazingly, her bad skin was cured. Now she got her beautiful skin back.
After that, she asked Lutung Kasarung to accompany her to go back to the palace. Purbararang was very shocked. She knew she had to come up with another bad idea. She then said, "Those who have longer hair will be the queen."
The king then measured his daughters' hair. Purbasari had longer hair. But Purbararang did not give up. "A queen must have a handsome husband. If my fiance is more handsome than yours, then I will be the queen," said Purbararang.
 |
| Changed into a man |
Purbasari was sad. She knew Purbararang's fiance, Indrajaya, was handsome. And she did not have a fiance yet. "Here is my fiancé, Indrajaya. Where is yours?" asked Purbararang. Lutung Kasarung came forward. Purbararang was laughing very hard. "Your fiance is a monkey, ha ha ha."
Suddenly, Lutung Kasarung changed into a very a handsome man. He was even more handsome than Indrajaya. Purbasari then became the queen. She forgave Purbararang and her fiance and let them stay in the palace. ***
Moral Message
The story teaches us that true beauty and worth come from within. It also highlights the importance of kindness, forgiveness, and the idea that one should not underestimate others based on their appearances. Jealousy and greed can lead to destructive actions, but goodness and integrity ultimately prevail.
Did you know?
The Javan Lulung, scientifically known as Trachypithecus auratus, is a fascinating primate that resides primarily in the lush forests of Java, Indonesia. Commonly referred to as the ebony lutung or Javan langur, this Old World monkey belongs to the Colobinae subfamily.
Characterized by its striking appearance, the Javan Lulung has a unique coat of dark fur that can appear almost black, complemented by lighter facial features and a long tail that aids in its arboreal lifestyle. These monkeys are herbivorous, feeding mainly on leaves, fruits, and flowers, which play a crucial role in their ecosystem as they help with seed dispersal.
Social creatures, Javan Lulungs live in groups that are typically led by a dominant male. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations and body language, establishing strong social bonds within their troop. Unfortunately, these monkeys face threats from habitat destruction and illegal hunting, making conservation efforts vital to ensure their survival in the wild.
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