The Origin of Lake Singkarak and Ombilin River

Indra dan Sungai Batang Ombilin: Hikmah Kesabaran dan Kemandirian

Edisi Indonesia >> Asal Mula Danau Singkarak

Folklore from West Sumatra

In the village of Nagari Minangkabau lived a simple family led by Pak Buyung. This family had an only child named Indra. Indra was a diligent and caring child, but he had one significant flaw: his enormous appetite. Indra could consume half a basket of rice and various side dishes in a single meal.

During the famine season, Pak Buyung's family was forced to economize and rely on makeshift crops such as sweet potatoes and taro. One day, Indra began to complain to his mother.

“Mother, I’m so hungry. There’s no more good food at home. Please find me something to eat,” Indra said with a weary face.

His mother looked at Indra with concern and then turned to Pak Buyung. “Pak, Indra keeps complaining. What should we do?”

Pak Buyung, feeling pressured by the situation, replied, “Indra needs to learn to be independent. He should find his own food in the forest or the sea.”

Indra followed his father’s orders diligently. For nearly a month, he searched for food in the forest and the sea, but he was unsuccessful. One evening, when Indra returned empty-handed, Pak Buyung scolded him. “You’re just lazy. There’s nothing to find out there?”

Indra felt despair but did not express his anger. Unbeknownst to Indra, his mother had secretly followed him and brought home pensi shells (Corbicula Moltkiana Prime). These shells were cooked into a dish called pangek. Pak Buyung asked his wife to eat secretly and hide the remaining food.

When Taduang, Indra’s pet rooster, crowed, Pak Buyung and his wife quickly cleaned up the food and washed their hands. When Indra returned, he was shocked to find his parents sleeping, their stomachs full, with only a little gravy and pensi left.

“Is this all that’s left?” Indra asked sadly.

His mother awoke and said, “Forgive us, Indra. We didn’t mean to hurt you. But you need to learn to be independent.”

Indra felt betrayed but, as a dutiful son, he couldn’t be angry. With a heavy heart, Indra sat on a large rock and shared his grievances with Taduang.

“Taduang, I feel so betrayed. I only want to help our family.”

Taduang, as if understanding Indra’s sadness, flew up and carried Indra onto the rock. With his magical strength, the large rock was lifted and grew bigger. Indra began to move his foot, causing the rock to crash into the hills around the sea, forming a long hole. The sea water flowed into the hole, gradually filling it, and forming a river. This river is now known as the Batang Ombilin River, and the depression became the lake known today as Lake Singkarak.

Moral of the Story

This story teaches several important values:

1. Independence and Creativity: When faced with difficulties, we must find solutions through creativity and perseverance. Indra did not give up despite many challenges.

2. Learning from Hardships: Even though Indra felt betrayed, he did not let his pain stop him. Sometimes, we need to learn from difficult experiences to find new ways to solve problems.

3. The Importance of Empathy and Family: Although Pak Buyung and his wife might not always be fair, they are still a loving family. Understanding and empathy are key in family relationships.\

Did You Know?

Pensi is a traditional Minangkabau delicacy popular in West Sumatra. This snack is made from small clams that live in natural lakes, such as Lake Singkarak. Pensi is a tasty and convenient treat enjoyed by many.

The preparation of pensi involves cooking the clams with a distinctive blend of seasonings, resulting in flavors that range from mildly salty to spicy. Some versions of pensi are mixed with sambal lado, a traditional Minangkabau chili sauce, adding a spicy kick that pairs wonderfully with rice.

If you visit West Sumatra, be sure to try pensi at a traditional market. There, you'll find pensi sold alongside other delicious local treats like lingkitang, a traditional rice-based snack. Visiting traditional markets not only gives you a chance to enjoy pensi but also allows you to experience a variety of local foods and immerse yourself in the authentic culture.

So, if you’re planning a trip to West Sumatra, make sure pensi is on your must-try list!

Pensi