Dae La Minga: The Sacrifice of a Princess Who Prioritizes the Welfare of Her People in the Sanggar Kingdom
Folklore from West Nusa Tenggara
In the Kingdom of Sanggar, there lived a princess renowned not only for her beauty but for her generous heart. Princess Dae La Minga was cherished by her parents, the king and queen, and adored by the people of the kingdom. Her kindness knew no bounds, as she would often walk among her people, offering help wherever she could. Her beauty and gentle nature became the talk of neighboring lands, attracting countless suitors who came to win her hand.
Day by day, more princes arrived from distant kingdoms, each bearing gifts and speaking eloquently of their desire to marry her. Each prince believed himself to be the one who would capture Dae La Minga's heart, for she treated them all with warmth and kindness, as she did everyone.
One evening, as a group of princes dined together, the conversation turned heated.
"Princess Dae La Minga smiled at me longer than at any other. Surely, she loves me," one prince declared confidently.
"Nonsense!" countered another. "She spoke to me personally and praised my bravery. She only has eyes for me!"
Voices grew louder, and soon accusations and jealous remarks filled the air. The princes, each convinced of their claim, began to argue fiercely, and what started as a petty quarrel spiraled into a brawl. They summoned their soldiers, and within days, the kingdom of Sanggar was on the brink of war as the princes' armies prepared to clash.
Deeply troubled by the strife his daughter's popularity had caused, the king called a council with his advisors. After much deliberation, they reached a painful but necessary conclusion: for the sake of the kingdom’s peace, Dae La Minga would have to leave Sanggar.
With a heavy heart, the king visited his daughter’s chambers. "My dearest Dae La Minga, my heart aches to bring you such news," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "The kingdom is threatened by the princes' rivalry, and war will soon fall upon us if this continues. The only solution…is for you to leave Sanggar."
Dae La Minga’s eyes filled with sorrow, yet she nodded with understanding. She loved her kingdom and her people far too much to allow them to suffer because of her. "Where must I go, Father?" she asked quietly.
The king gestured toward the distant Tambora Mountain, a towering peak where no prince could follow. "The advisors believe that only by going to a place as remote as Tambora Mountain can we restore peace to the kingdom."
The news spread quickly, and the people of Sanggar were devastated. Crowds gathered as Dae La Minga prepared to leave, tears filling the eyes of all who had come to say goodbye. Dae La Minga addressed them with a smile, though her heart felt heavy. "Do not weep for me, my friends. Remember, I am doing this for you, for our home."
With a small company of loyal soldiers, Dae La Minga set off on the long journey to Tambora Mountain. The path was treacherous, but she remained steadfast, her heart filled with the hope that her sacrifice would bring peace to her kingdom.
To this day, people of Sanggar speak of the beloved princess who gave up everything for their happiness. Some say that on certain misty evenings, a beautiful figure can be seen on the slopes of Tambora Mountain, her form shimmering in the moonlight. Only the fortunate may catch a glimpse of her, a radiant presence watching over her people even from afar. They believe it is Dae La Minga, whose spirit remains bound to Sanggar, forever devoted to the kingdom she once called home.
Moral Message
Kindness and sacrifice are the marks of true love. Sometimes, to protect those we care about, we must make difficult decisions, even if they are painful. Princess Dae La Minga demonstrates that the greater good should be prioritized over personal desires.
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