The Origin of Lake Sentani

The Origin of Lake Sentani: A Tale of Wisdom, Nature, and Responsibility from Papua

Edisi Indonesia: Asal Mula Danau Sentani

Long ago, in the land now known as Papua, lived two young men from the Wally clan named Roo Wally and Habhoye Wally. They were close friends who often learned together. One day, they decided to deepen their knowledge by studying under a wise teacher named Holo Robhonnoye, renowned for his wisdom and understanding of nature.

At the teacher's house, they learned many valuable skills. Holo Robhonnoye taught them how to hunt, build houses, and, most importantly, find sources of water—an essential for survival. After some time, the two young men felt ready to return to their village.

Before they departed, Holo Robhonnoye handed them an anggay, a stalk of nibun palm filled with water. While giving it to them, he offered stern advice.

Holo Robhonnoye: "Carry this anggay carefully. Make sure it never touches the ground. If it does, you must immediately run to higher ground. Remember this well!"

Roo and Habhoye nodded firmly.

Roo Wally: "We understand, Teacher. We will take good care of the anggay."
Habhoye Wally: "We won’t disappoint you."

The Journey Begins

With that, they began their long journey back to their village. Taking turns, they carried the anggay with great care. Along the way, they were amazed by the natural beauty of Papua. They saw a variety of animals, from birds of paradise to tree kangaroos.

Habhoye Wally: "Look at that, Roo! Such a beautiful bird of paradise. We’re lucky to live in such a magical land."
Roo Wally: "Yes, but remember the teacher’s warning. We must not let our guard down."

Everything changed, however, when they came across a stunning cassowary.

Roo Wally: "Look at that cassowary! I’ve never seen one so beautiful."
Habhoye Wally: "We have to catch it, Roo! This is a rare opportunity."

Forgetting their teacher’s warning, they placed the anggay on the ground and began chasing the cassowary. The bird ran swiftly into the forest, leading them farther away from where they had left the anggay.

Panic in the Forest

After hours of chasing with no success, they stopped, exhausted.

Habhoye Wally: "Roo, the cassowary is too fast! I can’t go on."
Roo Wally: "Neither can I... Wait! We left the anggay behind!"

Shocked, they hurried back to the spot where they had placed the anggay. But when they arrived, they were met with a terrifying sight.

Habhoye Wally: "Oh no! The water is gushing out so fast! What should we do?"
Roo Wally: "The teacher said we must run to higher ground! Hurry!"

With all their strength, they ran up the nearest hill as the water continued to flow uncontrollably, flooding the valley below.

The Formation of Lake Sentani

From the top of the hill, they watched as the water filled the valley, creating a vast lake. They realized their mistake and the importance of heeding their teacher’s advice.

Habhoye Wally: "This is all our fault, Roo. If only we hadn’t been so reckless and followed the teacher’s instructions..."
Roo Wally: "We must learn from this, Habhoye. This lake will serve as a reminder for us and future generations."

Holo Robhonnoye, who heard about the incident, came to meet them.

Holo Robhonnoye: "My children, you have learned an important lesson. This land is full of wonders, but it must be respected. Your mistake has created something beautiful, but do not repeat it."

From that day on, the valley filled with water became known as Lake Sentani, which means "the lake of peace." Around the lake, beautiful cassowaries, like the one they had chased, can still be seen, as if they are part of the legend.

This story is passed down from generation to generation, teaching the importance of listening to wise advice, respecting nature, and maintaining balance in life. 

Moral Message

The story of the origin of Lake Sentani teaches us the importance of heeding advice, respecting nature, and maintaining responsibility. Roo and Habhoye’s carelessness serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, and we must think before acting. It also highlights the value of humility and learning from mistakes to achieve harmony with our surroundings.

Grandma Luhu

Grandma Luhu: The Guardian of Wisdom

Edisi Indonesia: Nenek Luhu

In a small village surrounded by green mountains and blue seas in Maluku, there lived a wise old woman named Grandma Luhu. Despite her frail body, her spirit was vibrant, and she was known as the guardian of the village's wisdom. Her humble wooden house was always open to anyone seeking advice, protection, or just a warm meal.

"Whatever your problem is, we'll find the solution together," she would say with a gentle smile that always calmed troubled hearts.

One day, the village was struck by a prolonged drought. Rain had not fallen for months, the rice fields dried up, and the river that was their main water source started to dwindle. The villagers, who were usually cheerful, now lived under the shadow of despair.

Seeing this, Grandma Luhu gathered all the villagers at the village hall. With her wooden cane, she stood in the middle of the crowd and spoke with a firm yet compassionate voice.

"My children, do not let this drought extinguish our spirit. We can overcome this if we stay united. Pray sincerely, and let us think of solutions together."

Her words touched everyone’s hearts. Led by Grandma Luhu, the villagers began to work together. The men dug new wells with whatever tools they could find, while the women foraged for edible wild plants. The children helped carry water from the remaining springs deep in the forest.

Amid their efforts, a merchant arrived with a cart full of shiny goods. Introducing himself as Mr. Rogomang, he offered a ‘magical cure’ that he claimed could bring rain.

"For a certain price, this potion will summon clouds and save your village," he said with a sly grin.

Some villagers, desperate for a solution, were tempted. But Grandma Luhu stepped forward, her gaze sharp as she addressed the merchant.

"Mr. Rogomang, we appreciate your offer, but we do not believe in instant solutions that only benefit one party. This village does not need false miracles. We only need hard work and sincere prayers," she said firmly.

The merchant was silenced, unable to counter Grandma Luhu’s argument. The villagers decided to reject his offer.

A few days later, their hard work paid off. The wells they had dug began to yield water, though it was not much. As their spirits revived, dark clouds gathered in the sky. Heavy rain poured down, soaking the dry earth and refilling the rivers and wells.

The villagers cheered with joy and gathered around Grandma Luhu’s house to celebrate their triumph.

"This rain is proof that our unity and hard work always bring blessings," Grandma Luhu said, gazing at the sky with eyes full of gratitude.

A Short Dialogue

Villager 1: "Grandma, how did you know that merchant only wanted to profit from us?"
Grandma Luhu: "Those who offer easy solutions often hide other motives. We must always think clearly and listen to our hearts."

Villager 2: "Grandma, what should we do if the drought comes again?"
Grandma Luhu: "Prepare ahead of time. Learn from this experience. Always conserve water, plant drought-resistant crops, and keep your unity strong."

Until the end of her days, Grandma Luhu remained a beacon of light for the village. Stories of her courage in facing challenges and her wisdom in leadership continued to be passed down from generation to generation.

Moral of the Story: The tale of Grandma Luhu teaches us that wisdom, hard work, and unity are the keys to overcoming life’s challenges. 🌿