The Legend of Tes Lake

Folklore from Bengkulu

THERE was a man lived in Kutei Donok village, Bengkulu. People call him Pahit Lidah. He was named Pahit Lidah because he had magical power. Whatever he said would come true. That was why Pahit Lidah was always careful with his words.

Pahit Lidah had a son. One day Pahit Lidah left his village. He wanted to open new rice field. He asked permission to the head of the village. The head of the village gave him the permission. Pahit Lidah went alone. His son still stayed at home.

After walking for several hours, he finally found a good place for his new rice field. He brought his hoe and started using it. He dug the soil and threw it to the Air Ketahun River. He was working days and nighst and he never stopped to rest. He was very powerful. He kept on hoeing the soil and always threw it to the river.

He had been working for two days and there was a lot of land covering the river. Slowly the soil blocked the water. The soil in the river made the water did not flow smoothly.

The villagers were restless. They knew if Pahit Lidah kept on throwing the soil to the river, finally the river would totally blocked by the soil. They were afraid that the water would overflow and their village would be flooded.

The villagers then reported this to the head of the village. After he knew the problem, the head of the village sent some villagers to meet Pahit Lidah. They had to persuade him to stop working and returned home.

“If he still does not want to go home, tell him that his son is dead,” said the head of the villagers.

Later the villagers left. They finally met Pahit Lidah. As planned, they tried to persuade him to stop working. However, Pahit Lidah ignored them. Then they told him that his son was dead.

“Impossible. My son is fine. He is still alive,” said Pahit Lidah.

They villagers gave up. They went home and reported to the head of the village.

“I’m sorry, Sir. Pahit Lidah did not want to listen to us. Maybe if you tell him, he will listen to you. He really respects you,” said one villager.

“Hmmm. Alright, I will go now,” said the head of the village.

The head of the village then found Pahit Lidah still hoeing the soil. Later he persuaded Pahit Lidah.

“Pahit Lidah, let’s go home now. Your son is dead,” said the head of the village.

Pahit Lidah stopped working. He really respected the head of the village.

Then he said, “Because you said that my son is dead, now I really believe that my son is dead,” said Pahit Lidah sadly.

“So, why don’t you go home now?”

“I will, Sir. I just need to hoe the soil a little more,” said Pahit Lidah.

After that, the head of the village left him. Pahit Lidah just realized his mistake. Pahit Lidah was so sure that his son was not dead, then his son was indeed dead. He was so angry. However it was too late. He kept on hoeing and throwing the soil to the river. And finally the land completely blocked the river and it made a new lake. People named the lake as Tes Lake.***

The Legend of Putri Mambang Linau

Folklore from Riau

BUJANG Enok was collecting fire woods in the jungle. He wanted to sell them in the market. Suddenly, a snake was in front of him. He tried to kill the snake with the woods. And he did it! The snake died. Then he heard a voice of women talking.

“The snake is dead, we are safe now.”

The voice was from the river not far from the jungle. He ignored the voice. It was noon, Bujang Enok went home. When he arrived, he saw the house was clean and neat. The food was also served! He was really confused.

On the following day, it happened again. The house was clean and he had food on the table. He wanted to know who did it. So, on the next day he was hiding in the bushes in front of his house.
After waiting, then he saw seven beautiful girls were entering his house. They all were wearing colorful shawl.

Bujang Enok was peeping through the window. He saw all the seven girls were doing the household chores. Later, they left the house. Bujang Enok followed them.

The girls went to the river, they were talking. Bujang Enok remembered the voice when he was collecting the woods. It was their voice.

The girls were taking a bath. They put their shawls on the river side. Bujang Enok took one of them. After they finished, the girls wore their shawls. However, one of them could not find her shawl.

“I’m sorry, we have to go home now. Find your shawl and go back home immediately after you find it,” said a girl.

The girl who lost the shawl was really sad. Her sisters were wearing the shawl then they were flying. They were angels.

Bujang Enok saw the girls flying and he was surprised. Then he came to the girl.

She asked, “Do you see my shawl? If you give it to me, I’ll do anything for you.”

“Yes, I do. And I will give it to you if you marry me,” said Bujang Enok. He fell in love with this beautiful angel.

“Alright, my name is Putri Mambang Linau. I will marry you, but please don’t ask me to dance. If I dance, I will leave you and I will go back home in the sky.”

After that Bujang Enok and Putri Mambang Linau were married. They had happy life, and soon Bujang Enok became a rich man. He was very generous.

He always helped the needy. He became famous. The king heard the news about Bujang Enok. He invited Bujang Enok and his wife to the palace. There was a ceremony there. In the ceremony all the women had to dance. Bujang Enok was very confused. He already promised his wife not to ask her to dance, but he had to respect the King. Then he decided to ask her to dance.

Putri Mambang Linau was sad. Actually she loved Bujang Enok, but she knew her husband really respected the king. Then Putri Mambang Linau danced. She wore her shawl. She moved her hands like an eagle fl uttering it’s wings. Slowly her body was going up. She was flying.

Everybody was surprised. The king asked Bujang Enok who she was. Bujang Enok explained all about it. The king was really touched. He was very impressed with his sacrifice. To honor him, he asked the girls to dance like Putri Mambang Linau’s dance.

Because the movement was like a flying eagle, then the dance was named elang-elang dance. Until now, people still do the dance. However, the name is gradually changed into olang-olang dance.***

Prince Suta and King Bayang

Folklore from Riau

SULTAN Hasan Salehuddin Kemaramtsyah was the king of Indragiri Kingdom in Riau. The King was very wise. He was also very kind to his people. The people lived happily and peacefully. The King had a beautiful daughter. Her name was Princess Halimah. She was very famous. Many young men fell in love with her.

The peaceful life in Indragiri Kingdom was disturbed. A king from a neighboring kingdom came. His name was King Bayang. The King brought his soldiers. They stole and robbed people’s house. Sultan Hasan immediately sent his soldiers to fi ght King Bayang’s soldiers. Sadly, Sultan Hasan’s soldiers lost the fight. King Bayan came to the palace. He wanted to meet Sultan Hasan.

“Why did you do terrible things to our people?” asked Sultan Hasan.

“Ha ha ha… Sorry if I make you angry. Actually, I’m here because I heard you have a beautiful daughter. I want to marry her,” said King Bayang.

“Impossible. I’m sure my daughter doesn’t want to marry a bad king like you!”

“What?! You refused my proposal?! You will be sorry, Sultan Hasan!” King Bayang was very angry.

He left the palace and later came back with more soldiers. They attacked the palace. Sultan Hasan fought bravely. However he did not have many soldiers. They lost the fi ght. Sultan Hasan, his daughter, and some loyal soldiers escaped.

Finally they arrived in a small village. Sultan Hasan and his soldiers set a new strategy.

“Your Majesty, we need to get some help. With the soldiers we have right now, we cannot win our kingdom back,” said one soldier.

“Do you have any ideas? Who can help us?” asked Sultan Hasan.

“I heard there is a great prince. His name is Prince Suta. He is from eastern area. He is very kind. He already helped Jambi Kingdom from bad people.”

“Alright then… find Prince Suta. Tell him about King Bayang and also tell him that we need his help to win our kingdom back,” said Sultan Hasan.

The soldier immediately left. Luckily he found Prince Suta. The soldiers told him about Sultan Hasan’s messages.

“I’ve heard about King Bayang before. He is a bad king. He disturbed many people. Tell Sultan Hasan, I will help him. I will go to Indragiri now,” said Prince Suta.

When he arrived in Indragiri, he immediately went to the palace. He challenged King Bayang to fight.

“Ha ha ha…. Why do you want fight me, young man?” asked King Bayang.

“Because this is not your kingdom, you have to go back!”

“Alright, if I win I will stay. And if I lose, I will go back home.”

Prince Suta and King Bayang were fi ghting! Both of them were very powerful. Luckily, Prince Suta was younger. He had more power than King Bayang. Soon, King Bayang lost the fight. King Bayang and his soldiers left Indragiri Kingdom.

Later, Sultan Hasan and Princess Halimah went back home. The people were so happy. To express his gratitude, Sultan Hasan asked Prince Suta to marry his beautiful daughter. Prince Suta agreed. Prince Suta and Princess Halimah were very happy. Since then Indragiri Kingdom was always safe from bad people. ***