Malem Diwa

The Tale of Malem Diwa and the Atu Pepangiren Stone

Edisi Indonesian >> Malem Diwa

Folklore from Aceh

In the distant past, in a place called Aceh, there was a young man named Malem Diwa. He was a wanderer. He moved from place to place. A flute with a very melodious sound had always accompanied him on his journey as a remedy for feeling lonely.

He arrived in the neighborhood of Buntul Temil, which was close to a river, and he chose to stay. He raises cattle, grows vegetables, and fishes in the river there.

Malem Diwa once came across an elderly woman in the forest looking for firewood while he was fishing in the river. Inen Keben is the elderly woman's name, and she lives in Buntulkubu. Malem Diwa assisted the elderly woman in carrying the firewood to her house out of courtesy. Malem Diwa eventually considered Inen Keben to be his own parent because he frequently met her and delivered firewood to her house.

Later on, while Malem Diwa was out fishing, several women all of a sudden started laughing and cracking jokes. Malem Diwa discovered this out of curiosity and quickly searched for the source of the sound. He noticed seven beautiful angels playing on a large rock in the river from behind a tree. The stone where the angels played was eventually named Atu Pepangiren, or the bathing stone.

It turned out that the angels only visited the area once. They came back and forth to bathe and play. Malem Diwa, as well, waits for their arrival, even when he is in hiding. Malem Diwa took one of their clothes and hid it in the house one day while they were bathing.

There was a commotion after taking a shower due to the loss of one of their flying clothes, which appeared to belong to the youngest angel. It took a long time for the other angels to try to help find the clothes, but they, too, were unsuccessful. Finally, the angels returned to heaven, leaving the youngest angel, who had lost her clothes, behind. As a result, she was heartbroken and wept alone by the river.

Malem Diwa returned to the river after hiding the angel's flying suit and offered to assist the angel. He suggested that the angel stay at Inen Keben's house, which was not far from Malem Diwa's. They've remained close ever since because Malem Diwa frequently helps Inen Keben deliver firewood or repair her house. Malem Diwa asked the youngest angel to marry him because they were attracted to each other and fell in love. They live happily ever after as husband and wife.

Moral Message in English:

1. Kindness and Helping Others

Malem Diwa's assistance to the elderly Inen Keben shows that kindness and caring for others, especially the elderly or those in need, are noble actions that will be valued and bring happiness into one’s life.

2. Consequences of Dishonest Actions

Malem Diwa took the youngest angel’s flying clothes with a hidden intention, causing her to be separated from her sisters and feel sorrowful. This teaches that dishonest or deceitful actions, even if well-intended, can lead to unintended consequences and harm others.

3. Love and Loyalty

Despite their relationship starting with a less than honest act, Malem Diwa and the youngest angel eventually fall in love and live happily together. This conveys that love and loyalty can grow and flourish in an environment of understanding and affection.

River Big Stones