The Legend of Kemaro Island

Folklore from South Sumatra

A long time ago, there was a kingdom in South Sumatra. The king had a very beautiful daughter. her name was Siti Fatimah. She was single. many young man fell in love with her. however, they did not have any courage to propose her. The king wanted his daughter only to marry a rich man.

One day, a ship from China arrived. The captain of the ship was Tan Bun Ann. He was a prince. He came to South Sumatra to do business. He was a merchant. he planned to stay for several months. He came to the palace to meet the king. He wanted to ask the king's permission.

"I will let you stay here and do this business. but remember, you have to share your profit. You have to give half of your profit to the kingdom," said the king.

"I agree, your majesty," said Tan Bun Ann.

Since then, Tan Bun Ann often came to the palace. He met Siti fatimah several times.

He really admired her beauty. He tried to find out more about her. He asked his man to ask the people about her.

After several days, Tan Bun Ann finally got information about Siti Fatimah. He knew that she was single and the king only wanted to have a rich son in law. The information made Tan Bun Ann worked harder. he wanted to be richer.

Tan Bun Ann also approached Siti Fatimah secretly. Siti Fatimah really admired his patience and his spirit to work hard. She also fell in love with him. they secretly had a relationship. After a while, Tan Bun Ann felt it was time for him to propose Siti Fatimah. He talked to the king.

"I will let you marry my daughter. But there is one thing you have to do. Give me nine big jars filled with gold," said the king.

Tan Bun Ann wrote a letter to his parents in China and told them about Siti Fatimah. The parents agreed and sent him nine big jars filled with gold. To cover the gold from the thieves, the parents put some vegetables on top of the gold.

Later, the nine big jars arrived at the pier of Musi River. Tan Bun Ann immediately looked for the jars. He was so surprised. When he opened the cover of the jar, he saw rotten vegetables. He only looked at the top of the jar. he did not search at the bottom of the jars.

"Hmmm...Maybe the gold is in the second jar," thought Tan Bun Ann. Again he did not find the gold. He was so angry. He threw the jars into the river. Every time he did not see any gold in the jar, he always threw it to the river. And finally he opened the last jar. Again, he did not see any gold. This time he was so tired. He did not have any power to throw the jar into the river. Instead he smashed the jar with a big stone.

And when the jar was broken, Tan Bun Ann found the gold! He knew he made a mistake.
He immediately jumped to the river. He wanted to collect the gold.

Siti Fatimah saw what was happening. She waited for Tan Bun Ann at the river bank, but he never showed up. She was impatient. She also wanted to jump and helped him.

Before she jumped, she told her guards a message, "If you see a pile of soil on the river bank, and that means it is my grave." Then she jumped into the river.

The guards waited and waited. And several days the people saw a pile of soil. The soil was getting bigger and bigger. It finally became an island. The people named it Kemaro Island. Kemaro is from the word kemarau, it means drought season. People named it that because the island is never drowned although the level of the water in the Musi River is high.***

The Curse of Joko Bandung

Folklore from Yogyakarta

A long time ago, there were two kingdoms. They were Pengging Kingdom and Prambanan Kingdom. The king were fighting. They were at war! Pengging's king was Joko Bandung. He was very strong and powerful. He had great martial art skill. He led the soldiers and fought bravely.
Meanwhile, Prabu Boko, the king of Prambanan sent a giant to fight against Joko Bandung. The Giants name was Bandawasa.

Bandawasa was very big. Joko Bandung was not afraid with the giant. They were fighting. And finally Joko Bandung won the fight. Before he died, Bandawasa's spirit joined Joko Bandung's spirit. That made Joko Bandung became more powerful. He then added Bandawasa's name into his name. His name changed into Joko Bandung Bandawasa.

Joko Bandung and his soldiers were attacking the palace of Prambanan Kingdom. Joko Bandung was looking for Prabu Boko. He wanted to kill the king of Prambanan Kingdom. Joko Bandung was more powerful. He killed Prabu Boko.

Joko Bandung occupied the palace. He asked all Prabu Boko's family to gather. He met Prabu Boko's beautiful daughter. Her name was Roro Jonggrang. he fell in love with her. He wanted to marry her.

Roro Jonggrang did not want to marry him. She hated Joko Bandung. However she was afraid and did not have any courage to refuse the marriage proposal. She had an idea how to refuse the proposal.

She would ask Joko Bandung to build 1.000 temples only in one night. If he could build the temples, Roro Jonggrang would marry him. Joko Bandung agreed. He accepted the challenge. He was not worried, he would asked the genies and the spirits to help him.

Joko Bandung and his genies started to work. They build the temples one by one. Roro Jonggrang was really worried. She knew Joko Bandung could not finish building 1.000 temples before sun rose.

She was thinking very hard. She had to find a way how to stop the genies and the spirit fro building the temples. Suddenly she had an idea.

She asked all the girls to make a lot of noise by grinding the rice in the mortar. She also asked them to make fire. She hopped that the spirits and the genies would think that sun was going to rise.

It worked! The noise and the fire woke the cocks up. The cocks were crowing. The spirits and the genies thought that morning would come soon.

And they also thought the sun would rise soon. The spirits and the genies were afraid of the sunlight. They left Joko Bandung alone. Joko Bandung was very angry! He knew Roro Jonggrang was plying a trick on him.

"Why did you do that? If you do not want to marry me, why don't you just say it? You are just looking for an excuse to refuse me!" said Joko Bandung.

He continued, "You are so stubborn like a stone. I curse you to become a statue!"

Joko Bandung's magic power had changed Roro Jonggrang into a statue! Since then people named the temples that the spirit and the genies build as Sewu Temple. And the people also named the Prambanan Temple as Roro Jonggrang Temple.***

Jangga Hatuen Bulan

Folklore from Central Kalimantan

A long time ago, a man lived on the moon. his name was Jangga. He lived with his mother. Jangga loved hunting. Everyday he went hunting with his dog. His mother often told him not to go hunting too long. But Jangga often ignored her.

One day Jangga and his dog went hunting as usual. He was looking for the animals. However, he could not find any of them. Sadly, he was lost. He could not find a way to his home. While he was walking, suddenly he saw an old woman.

Jangga followed the old woman. She arrived at her house. jangga wanted to stay the night at her house. He knocked the door. an old man opened the door. Jangga told him that he wanted to stay. The old man gave him the permission.

Apparently, it was a family. The old man and the old woman had a beautiful daughter. Jangga told them that he was lost. He said that he lived on the moon. The old man said that Jangga was really far from home. They were on the earth.

Jangga was so sad. He could not go back to his home and meet his mother.

The old man offered Jangga to stay at his home. Jangga agreed.

Day passed by ans soon Jangga fell in love with the old man's daughter. Then they got married.
Jangga still enjoyed hunting. With his dog, he often went hunting in the jungle. His wife often told him not to go hunting too long. However, Jangga ignored her.

Jangga's wife was pregnant. She often asked Jangga to stay at home and not to go hunting. Again, Jangga ignored her. Her wife was often angry with him.

In the morning, Jangga wanted to go hunting. This time his wife was really angry.

"Please stay. Don't go! I feel like I'm going to deliver the baby today."

"Don't worry. If the baby is a boy, name him Jangga Batuen Bulan. It means Jangga, a man from the moon. And if the baby is a girl, name her Hendan Bawi Bulan. It means Hendan, a woman from the moon," said Jangga.

Then he left his wife. Not long after that Jangga's wife delivered a baby boy. She was so angry that her husband was not next to her. She did not want her husband to see the baby.

Later Jnagga came home. He heard a baby was crying. He was so happy.

"Where is the baby? I want to see my baby," said Jangga.

"No, you can't! I don't want you to see the baby!" said Jangga's wife.

Jangga was so sad. Ans he was also very angry! He went outside of his home. His dog followed him. After that he prayed. He called out his mother.

Suddenly thunder attacked the place. Dark cloud covered him and his dog. Surprisingly, Jangga and his dog disappeared. Not long after that the baby was dead. Jangga brough the baby spirit to the moon.

Jangga's wife was so sad. She called out Jangga's name. But it was to late. Jangga and the baby now lived on the moon. Jangga's wife was crying. She never stop crying.

The Gods heard how she cried and they didn't like it. The were upset with her and changed her into a bird. People named the bird as pungguk bird.

Until now, during full moon we still can hear the sound of pungguk bird. And we can also see the image of a dog in the moon. From the legend, people make a proverb. It says, "Just like a pungguk waiting for the moon". It means that it's just waiting in vain.***

Panji Kelaras

Folklore from Banten

ONCE upon a time, there was a king. he is very rich and had great power. However he was not happy. His only child, the prince, was not a good son. The prince had bad attitudes.

He liked to do cockfighting and gambling. Every time the prince had cock fighting. He also ignored his father's advice. Until one day, the king could not hold it anymore. He asked the prince to leave the palace and lived in the jungle. The prince knew it was his punishment. So he left the palace and went to the jungle. He had never been to the jungle before. He was very confused. He did not know where to stay.

While he was busy looking for a place to stay, he found a hut. He was so happy. He immediately knock the door, then a beautiful girl opened the door. She was an orphan. Her parents just died and now she lived alone. The prince fell in love with her. He asked her to marry him. The girl agreed and later they got married. The prince and his wife had a happy life. They got happier when the wife was pregnant.

The prince worked harder. He wanted to give the best to his baby. When the prince was working in the field, he heard that his father, the king, died. And now there was no king in the palace. The prince rushed to the palace. When his wife asked to join him, the prince forbade her. The wife was sad. She was pregnant and she was alone in the jungle. While she was sitting for the husband, and eagle flew above her. The eagle dropped an egg. It was a chicken egg. She keep the egg. And when she delivered a baby son, the egg also hatched.

She named her son Panji Kelaras. While she was working, Panji Kelaras always played with his chick, which soon grew as a cock. Meanwhile, Panji Kelaras father now was the king. However, the king did his bad behaviour again.

He liked to do cock fighting. The king's cock always won the fighting. He was not satisfied, he made a competition of cockfighting and the prize was a bag of gold. Many people brought their cocks and fought them with the king's cock. No cock should beat the king's cock. Panji Kelaras heard about the competition. He asked his mother's permission to go the palace. She gave him her blessing. She let her son go to the palace because she wanted him to meet his father, the king. When Panji Kelaras arrived at the palace he immediately gave his cock to the soldiers.

Soon, the kocks were fighting. Finally, Panji Kelaras cock won the fighting. He was so happy. The king kept his promise. He gave Panji Kelaras a bag of gold. When Panji Kelaras left the palace, the king secretly follow him. The king was surprised when Panji Kelaras went to the hut he used to stay with his wife. And he was more surprised when he saw his wife hugged Panji Kelaras. "

Who is he?" asked the king. He was jealous.

"He is you son. Where were you? I was waiting for you for long time but you never came back," said his wife.

The king regretted his mistake. He apologized to his wife and to his son. Later the king asked them to stay in the palace. And when the king died, Panji Kelaras became the king. He led the kingdom wisely.***

Sabai nan Aluih

Folklore from West Sumatra

A long time ago in Padang Tarok, West Sumatra, lived a family. The father's name was Rajo Babanding and yhe mother's name was Sadun Saribai. They had two children, one daughter and one son. Their daughter's name was Sabai nan Aluih and their son's name was Mangkutak Alam. Those two children had different personalities. Mankutak Alam was lazy. He never helped her parents. He often played outside with friends. While Sabai nan Aluih was an obdient girl. She was also kind to other people. Everybody loved her. She was famous because she was beautiful.

The news about Sabai nan Aluih was finally heard by a rich merchant. His name was Rajo nan Panjang. Nobody liked him. He was rich but he never helped people. He was also cruel. He had three strong guards. they always protected Rajo nan Panjang.

Rajo nan Panjang wanted to marry Sabai nan Aluih. He sent his guards to meet Sabai's father, Rajo Babanding. The guards told him the proposal. However Rajo Babanding rejected it.

"I'm sorry. I don't want my daughter to marry a man who is as old as I am," said Rajo Babanding.

The guards went home. They told Rajo nan Panjang that the Proposal was rejected. He was angry. He felt that he was being humiliated. Again he sends his guards. This time he asked his guards to invite Rajo Babanding to meet him at Padang Panahunan. It was a place that people used for a fight.

Sabai nan Aluih knew about the marriage proposal. And she also knew that Rajo nan Panjang challanged her father to fight. Sabai nan Aluih tried to stop his father to go to Padang Panahunan. She had a bad dream last night.

"Don't worry my daugter. I'll be fine." said Rajo babanding.

Then he went to Padang Panahuna. When he arrived, Rajo nan Panjang was already there. Rajo Babanding did not know that Rajo nan Panjang's guards were hiding. They would also attack Rajo Babanding. One of them brought a rifle. He would shoot Rajo Babanding if Rajo nan panjang lost hte fight.

"Rajo Babanding, you should accept my wedding proposal I'm very rich, you know!" said Rajo nan Panjang.

"I don't care!" said Rajo Babanding.

Later they fought. Both were very powerful. They fought bravely. However Rajo Babanding had better skills in martial arts. Soon Rajo nan Panjang lost the fight.

The guard knew he had to protect his master. Silently he aimed his rifle at Rajo Babanding. He shot the man! Rajo Babanding fell down. He died instantly.

Not long after that Sabai nan Aluih arrived in padang Panahunan. She was sad. She saw her father was on the ground. She cried. She knew her father was shot. She was angry. "Why did you shoot him? My father did not bring any weapon."

"Ha ha ha... Your father tried to stop me from marrying you," said Rajo nan Panjang.

Sabai nan Aluih grabbed the rifle. With great courage she shot Rajo nan Panjang. He died instantly. Later all the villagers came to Padang pananhunan. They arrested Rajo nan panjang guards. They also talked about Sabai nan Aluih's great courage. Until now people still talk about Sabai nan Aluih and they put her name in traditional song.***

The Legend of Pinang Mountain

Folklore from Banten

ONCE upon a time in Banten, there lived a poor fisherman. His name was Dampu Awang. He lived with his mother. Dampu always worked hard. He wanted to be a rich man. However, he only had a small boat. And he also did not have big net just like his friends. That was why he could not catch a lot of fish and did not have much money.

Dampu heard that there was a rich merchant coming to his village. The merchant had a big ship. He always sailed in the sea. He bough and sold things in the places he visited. Dampu wanted to work for him. He did not want to be a merchant.

Dampu Awang had made up his mind. He was tired of being a poor man. He really wanted to be rich. His mother could not do anything. She finally let him go.

Dampu met the merchant. He told him that he wanted to work for him.

"Okay, I will let you join me. But you have to work hard. If you want to be rich merchant like me, you have to pay attention to what I'm doing," said the merchant.

Dampu Awang was extremely happy. He already imagined that he would be a rich man.

Since he join the merchant's ship. Dampu always worked hard. Slowly the merchant trusted him. He asked Dampu to buy and sell the merchant's thing. Dampu did the assignment very well. He started to make a lot of money.

The merchant was happy. He knew that Dampu could be a great merchant. He was old and wanted Dampu to marry his daughter. Dampu agreed. By marrying the merchant daughter, he could become a rich man. He would have a big ship and sail to many places.

Meanwhile, Dampu's mother heard that her son had become a rich man. She also heard that he was already married and had a big ship. Everyday she prayed to God. She hoped that Dampu would come home soon.

God answered her prayer. Dampu and his wife arrived at the village. Many people greeted Dampu. They all praised him.

Dampu's mother tried to meet Dampu.

She mentioned Dampu's name loudly. She finally came closer to Dampu.

"Dampu...Dampu... It's me, your mother."

Sadly he ignored her. Dampu was so ashamed of his mother. She was old and her cloth was worn-out. She was also dirty.

"Guards! Ask that old woman to go away. She is not my mother. my mother was a rich woman and she already died," said Dampu to his guards.

The guards pushed Dampu's mother away. She was so sad. She prayed to God.

"If he is not my son, let him sail safely. But if he is my son, punish him."

God again answered her prayer. When Dampu sailed in the sea, great storm attacked his ship. Rain and thunder attacked the ship. Dampu realize his mistake but it was to late. The ship was slowly sinking and it finally submerged.

The ship slowly changed into a mountain. People named it Pinang Mountain.***

The Legend of Senua Island

Folklore From Riau

ONCE upon a time, there lived a poor fisherman. His name was Baitusen. His wife's name was Mai Lamah. They lived in Natuna, Riau. They were so poor and they were not satisfied with their lives. They decided to go to another island. They planned to go to Benguran Island. The island was rich with the natural resources. They hoped they lives would be better. They wanted to be rich.

When they arrived in Bunuran Island, they were so happy. The people were very nice. They were kind and helped each other, They also helped Baitusen build his house.

Baitusen and Mai Lamah were also happy to live in Bunguran Island. They were so grateful. The people did not treat them differently although they were new comers on the island. One of the people in Bungutan island was Mak Semah. She was a midwife. He helped pregnant women in childbirth. Besides that, she also helped sick people.

"Remember. Whenever you are not feeling well, do not hesitate to call me," said Mak Semah to Mai Lalmah.

Baitusen worked very hard. He really wanted to be rich. He never complained. His work hard finally gave him plained. His work hard finally gave him great wealth. Slowly he became very rich. He build bigger house. His wife also started to buy jewelries.

Mai Lamah changed her appearances. She wanted to look like rich woman.

She did not want to look dirty and poor. Sadly, it was not only her appearance that changed. Her attitude also changed. Previously, she was a nice and kind woman. But after she was rich, she became arrogant. She did not want to get along with her neighbors.

In one night, Mah Semah went to Baitusen's house. She wanted to ask for some rice to cook. She was poor. She hoped that Baitusen could help her.

"Please help me. May I have some rice? I'm so hungry and I don't have any money to buy rice," said Mak Semah.

Mai lamah was upset. "What? If you want to have some rice, you have to buy. And if you don't have any money, you have to work. No, I don't want to help you."

"But, I really don't have any money. And I'm too old to work." said Mak Semah.

"I don't care. Now go away!"

May Lamah's bad behaviour made the people hate her. However, she did not care. Indeed, she felt very happy when the people did not talk to them. So, they did not disturb her anymore.

Mai Lamah and Baitusen were happy. Mai Lamah was pregnant. They soon would have a baby. And finally it was time for Mai Lamah to deliver her baby.

She was in great pain. Baitusen asked Mak Semah to help his wife. But she refused to help. He asked other neighbors to help, but they also refuse to help.

"Don't worry. Let's go another island. I'm sure the people there will help us," said Baitusen to Mai Lamah.

"Okay, but don't forget to bring our jeweleries," said Mak Lemah.

Then, they were sailing in their ship. It was loaded with their wealth.

Unfortunately, their journey was not in the good condition. There was a great storm. Thunder attacked their ship. they asked for help. But no one helped them. Slowly their ship was sinking.
Mai Lmah's body turned into a big stone. Slowly the stone turned into an island.

People named it Sanua Island. Sanua mean one person with two bodies. Meanwhile her jewelries turned into swallow birds. Until now, Bunguran island is known as home for swallow birds.***

A Loyal Farmer

Folklore from Bali

A long time ago, there was a small village in Bali. The villagers were farmers they were very happy. Gods gave them fertile land. They always had great harvest. There were no poor family in that village.

One day, a young man came to the village. He came from a very far place.

He went to the richest farmer in the village. The richest farmer's name was Jero Pasek.

"My name is I Tundung. I came here to work, Sir. I promise I will work hard."

"Hmm...Okay, I will let you work in my rice field. But remember, I will ask you to leave if you are lazy." said Jero Pasek.

I Tudung was very happy. He did not want to disappoint Jero pasek, his master. He worked diligently. Jero Pasek was very grateful. The harvest was much better. Besides cultivating, I Tundung also look care of the animals, such as chickens, ducks, goats and cows. The number of the animals also increased. Jero Pasek become richer.

Jero pasek planned to ask I Tundung to cultivate his field in Kangin Hill.
Unlike the land in the village, the land in Kangin Hill was not fertile.

However, I Tundung accepted it very happy. He felt that Jero Pasek had already trusted him. He wanted to repay his trust by giving him great harvest.

The land in the hill was arid. It was very dry. However, I Tundung was never gave up. There was a small spring. I Tundung made irrigation. He used the water in the spring and flew it through the irrigation.

It worked! The land was not dry anymore. The plants grew very well. And again they had great harvest. Now the whole hills are green, thanks to I Tundung.

Unfortunately, their happiness did not last long. A thief stole the harvest and the animals.
Sadly, I Tundung was never able to catch the thief. The harvest and the animals kept on missing, Jero Pasek was angry.

"I'm very disappointed in you. I have lost a lot of harvest and animals!"

I Tundung was sad. He went to a temple to pray. While he was meditating, he heard a voice.
"I know your problem and I can help you."

"Thank you. I'm willing to do anything as long as I can protect my master's harvest and animals." said I Tundung.

"I will change you into a big black snake. You will live in the hill and you can protect the harvest and the animals."

I Tundung agreed. he did not want to make his master disappointed and angry at him. Slowly, he changed into a big black snake.

Meanwhile, Joko Pasek was looking for I Tundung. And when he arrived at his field, he saw a big black snake. He was so surprised when the snake was able to talk!

"Don't be afraid, Sir. It's me, I Tundung. From now on, I will always protect your harvest and your animals."

Jero Pasek was very sad. He never meant to ask I Tundung to do anything. But it was to late.***