The Legend of Kemuning Flower

Folklore from Riau

ONCE upon a time there was a wise king. He had ten beautiful daughters. His wife died a long time ago. All his daughters were named with colors.

Their name were Princess Jambon (pink), Princess Jingga (orange), Princess Biru (blue), Princess Hijau (green), Princess Kelabu (grey), etc. And the youngest was Princess Kemuning (yellow).

The king loved all his daughters. However he was too busy with his jobs as the king. He asked the servant to take care of his daughters.

His daughter became spoiled. But the youngest daughter was different. She was not spoiled. She often helped the servants. They loved her very much.

One day the king planned to go a very far place. He asked what the gifts of the daughters wanted to have. They all said great things, like jewelries or beautiful dress. However Princess Kemuning did not say anything.

"How about you, dear? Do you want anything?" asked the king.

"I just want you to come home safely, Father," said Princess Kemuning.

The king smiled. He knew his youngest daughter had good personality.
After the king went, all the daughters were fully take care by the servants. They had problems controlling the princess. All the princess became more naughty and spoiled. They often asked the servants to do anything.

The servants could not do anything. Consequently they did not have time to take care of the garden. It was messy. Leaves were every where. The garden was dirty.

Princess Kemuning was sad to see the condition of the garden. She knew her father loved the garden. So she started to clean the garden. She swept the leaves.

"Hey, look, we have a new servant," said Princess Jingga. And they all were laughing at her. But Princess Kemuning ignored them.

Later the king came home. He brought all the gifts.

"Princess Kemuning, this green stone necklace is for you. I'm sorry, I could not find the yellow one. I have tried to look for it but I did not find it," explained the king.

"That is all right, Father. I love it," said Princess Kemuning.

Princess Kemuning often wore the necklace. It was very beautiful. It was matching with her yellow dress. Unfortunately, Princess Hijau were jealous.

"Kemuning, the necklace is mine. The color is green right?" said Princess Hijau.

But Princess Kemuning refused to give it to her. She knew Princess Hijau already got her gift. But Princess Hijau still insisted to get it. She talked to the other sisters that they planned to do something bad.

Princess Hijau asked Princess Kemuning to play in the garden. While they were playing, suddenly suddenly she grabbed Putri Kemuning's necklace. The other sisters hit Princess Kemuning's head. They hit so hard and it made Putri Kemuning died. They all very confused, They then buried her in the garden.

Meanwhile the king was looking for all his daughter.s. He did not see Princess Kemuning. The daughters said that Princess Kemuning ran away. But the king did not belive them. He asked all the soldiers to find her. But they never found her.

The king was sad. He often thought about her. One day the king was in the garden . There was a tree growing. The leaves were like green stone necklace and the flowers were yellow. The flowers reminded him of Princess kemuning. He named it Bunga Kemuning or yellow flower. ***

Awang Garang

Folklore from Riau

A long time ago, there was a young fisherman in Riau. His name was Awang Garang. His job was not only fishing but he also often helped people building a new ship. Awang Garang was very skillful, that's why people always asked for his help.

One day the Sultan of Riau asked his soldiers to make him one ship. They were working days and nights. However the ship was not finished yet. The ship was always broken. The soldiers were scared. They were worried that the Sultan would be angry. They then asked Awang Garang to help them. He knew the problem. He said, "You have to use three different kinds of woods."

He was right! The ship was strong. All the soldiers were very eager to finish the ship. Unfortunately, an accident happened. Awang Garang's right eye was hit by a hammer. He was so angry. He cursed the ship.

"I curse you not to able to sail in the sea," cursed Awang Garang.

Then he went home. His right eye was blind. Therefore he covered his eye with a black bandage.
Finally the ship was finished. Strangely it could not go to the sea. It was still stranded on the beach. All the soldiers pushed the ship to the sea but it did not move at all. One of them remembered about Awang Garang's curse. Later they went to Awang Garang's house.

"You have to help us. You cursed the ship right? Now you have to make the ship sail in the sea!" said the soldier.

"I will help you. But I need 37 young men along with their equipment. Besides that you also have to prepare seven pregnant woman wearing different colors of clothing. And remember, you all have to close your eyes when I'm working with those 37 men."

They agreed. Later 37 young men and seven pregnant women were standing beside the ship. Awang Garang ordered the 37 seven men to find some big trees. They cut down the trees and peeled the skin. Then they put the trees under the ship. Awang Garang asked the 37 men to be ready to push the ship. He asked the seven pregnant woman to pray.

Awang Garang then screamed, "Everybody, on three then you all push the ship. OK, one.. two.. three.. push!"

Slowly the ship moved and it finally went to the sea. Everybody was happy. They all thanked Awang Garang.

Not long after that the seven pregnant woman delivered their baby boys. The babies grew as great soldiers. And together with Awang Garang they fought against the pirates. Because they already helped the kingdom, then the Sultan gave titles as panglima or chief. Awang Garang became Panglima Hitam Elang and the seven soldiers had titles after the name of Awang Garang and the color of the cloth their mothers were wearing. They were Panglima Awang Merah (red), Panglima Awang Jingga (orange), Panglima Awang Kuning (yellow), Panglima Awang Ungu (purple), Panglima Awang Hijau (green), Panglima Awang Biru (blue) and Panglima Awang Nila (indigo). ***