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At first, Sura and Baya were friends. They swam side by side, exploring the ocean's depths and enjoying the cool waves. But when it came to food, their friendship was tested. Both animals were known for being greedy, unwilling to share even the smallest bite. Whenever they spotted food, their instincts kicked in, and they would battle fiercely until one of them surrendered.
One scorching day, as the sun blazed high in the sky, Sura and Baya were once again hunting for food. Suddenly, Baya’s sharp eyes caught sight of a goat drinking by the shore. His mouth watered at the sight.
"Yummy, this is my lunch," declared Baya, licking his lips as he approached the goat.
"No way! This is my lunch! You’re so greedy, Baya! I haven’t eaten for two days!" Sura snapped, swimming quickly toward the shore.
Both animals charged at the goat, and in an instant, a fierce fight broke out. Their powerful tails whipped the water, sending waves crashing onto the shore. Teeth clashed, claws swiped, and the ground shook beneath them. Neither of them was willing to give up.
Hours passed, and the two animals were exhausted. Their breaths were heavy, and their muscles ached from the endless struggle. Realizing how pointless their battle was, Sura proposed a solution.
"I'm tired of fighting, Baya," Sura sighed, his eyes drooping with fatigue.
"Me too. But what can we do? We always fight over food," Baya replied, still catching his breath.
"I have an idea," said Sura, his eyes lighting up. "How about we divide our territories? Since I live in the water, I will hunt for food in the sea. You live on land, so you can search for food there. We’ll set the beach as our border. If we stay in our own places, we’ll never have to fight again."
Baya's eyes narrowed as he thought it over. "Hmm... Let me think about it. Fine. From today, I will stay on the land, and you stay in the sea. But remember, Sura, if I ever see you on land, there will be no mercy!"
"Deal!" Sura grinned, happy to avoid another pointless fight.
For a while, peace reigned. Sura swam freely in the sea, catching fish, while Baya roamed the land, hunting small animals. Each of them had their space and food, and neither crossed the border. The sea and the land were calm once more.
But peace was not meant to last.
One fateful day, Sura found himself struggling to find food in the sea. The fish had become scarce, and his stomach growled in hunger. His eyes darted toward the riverbank, where he saw fish swimming in the shallow waters.
"That water is part of the river," Sura muttered to himself. "And rivers are connected to the sea. So technically, that should be my territory too!"
With that excuse, Sura swam up the river, hoping to catch some fish. He splashed through the shallow water, his fins slicing through the surface. But before he could snatch a single fish, a familiar roar echoed from the riverbank.
"HEY! What do you think you’re doing here, Sura?!" Baya roared, his eyes filled with rage. "This is my place! We agreed you would stay in the sea, and I would stay on land!"
"But there’s water here, isn’t there?" Sura argued, trying to justify his presence. "If there’s water, it’s part of my territory too!"
"That’s nonsense! You broke our deal, Sura!" Baya bellowed as he charged into the river.
The battle resumed. Their roars echoed through the forest as they clashed with all their might. Sura’s sharp teeth sank into Baya’s tail, and in retaliation, Baya bit down hard on Sura’s fin. The water churned with violence as the two powerful beasts fought for control of the river. Blood mixed with the water, turning it red.
This time, Baya was stronger. With a final, powerful bite, he clamped down on Sura's tail. The shark thrashed in pain, realizing he had no choice but to retreat. Defeated, Sura fled back to the sea, his body battered and bruised.
"Stay in the sea where you belong, coward!" Baya growled, standing tall as he watched Sura disappear into the ocean waves. His tail throbbed with pain, but he felt triumphant, knowing that he had defended his territory.
The area where Sura and Baya had fought was left in ruins. The ground was torn up, and the water was stained red with their blood. The villagers who witnessed the battle spoke of it for years. They told their children and grandchildren about the shark (Sura) and the crocodile (Baya) who fought so fiercely that the land itself bore their names.
As time passed, the place where the animals battled came to be known as Surabaya — a name born from "Sura" the shark and "Baya" the crocodile. Their battle became a legendary tale, one that symbolized the fierce determination and strength of the people of Surabaya.
To this day, the story of Sura and Baya lives on, with their images immortalized in a statue that stands tall in the heart of the city. The statue depicts Sura and Baya locked in an eternal struggle, a reminder of the balance between strength and peace. Their legacy continues as a symbol of courage, resilience, and the need to honor one’s promises.
Meaning and Values of the Legend
The story of Sura and Baya teaches the importance of keeping promises, respecting boundaries, and controlling greed. The battle between Sura and Baya also symbolizes the struggle between the forces of the sea and the land, reflecting the balance between two natural powers. The statue of Sura and Baya in Surabaya serves as a symbol of perseverance, courage, and the strength to defend one's territory.
Conclusion
This legend not only explains the origin of the name of Surabaya but also teaches us the importance of honoring agreements and respecting boundaries. The story of Sura and Baya has become one of the most famous folktales in Indonesia, and to this day, the Sura and Baya statue stands as a symbol of pride and strength for the people of Surabaya.
Pesan moral dari legenda Surabaya menekankan pentingnya menepati janji dan mematuhi kesepakatan. Sura dan Baya awalnya sepakat untuk membagi wilayah mereka demi menghindari konflik, tetapi ketika salah satu dari mereka melanggar kesepakatan, pertempuran sengit pun terjadi.
Cerita ini mengajarkan bahwa dalam hubungan dan kesepakatan, kepercayaan dan komitmen sangat penting. Melanggar janji dapat menyebabkan konflik, ketidakpercayaan, dan ketidakharmonisan. Oleh karena itu, pesan moral dari kisah ini adalah untuk selalu memegang teguh komitmen dan menepati janji yang telah dibuat.
Selain itu, legenda ini juga menekankan nilai berbagi dan kerjasama. Pada awalnya, Sura dan Baya setuju untuk berbagi wilayah dan makanan. Namun, keserakahan dan keegoisan memicu konflik di antara mereka. Hal ini mengingatkan kita bahwa kerjasama, keadilan, dan pengendalian diri memainkan peran penting dalam menjaga keharmonisan dalam kehidupan pribadi maupun masyarakat.
Read More: The Origin of Surabaya 'Saved from Danger'
- Historical places in Trowulan.
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| source: en.wikipedia.org |
- Jawi temple
- Singosari temple
- Belahan temple
- Jabung temple
- Panataran temple
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