Naga Lipat Bumi

Naga Lipat Bumi: Mystical Legend from Kalimantan

Edisi Bahasa Indonesia: Naga Lipat Bumi

Folklore from Kalimantan

Living in dense forests and winding rivers, the Dayak tribe of Kalimantan has amazing stories about a legendary creature they call "Naga Lipat Bumi" or the "Earth Fold Dragon." In these stories, the dragon is a symbol of the underworld, a place so different from where we live. These dragons are said to live in water or even on the ground, like the form of Tambun, a creature that is always in contact with the water environment.

In their beliefs and culture, the universe has two main worlds: the upper realm and the lower realm. The upper realm is ruled by Mahatala or Pohotara, represented by the helmeted hornbill , while the lower realm is ruled by Jata or Juata, who is manifested as a dragon. What is interesting is that the upper realm is hot, like a hot summer, while the lower realm is cold, like a calm night. Humans live between these two realms, creating an amazing balance.

In Banjar culture, the lower realm is believed to belong to Princess Junjung Buih, while the upper realm belongs to Prince Suryanata. They are a legendary husband and wife couple who founded the Banjar royal dynasty. However, when the Islamic religion developed, this view changed slightly. The upper realm is considered to be controlled by the Prophet David, while the lower realm is where the Prophet Khidir served. These two prophets are highly respected figures in the Islamic religion.

Of course, in traditional art and architecture, such as the inlay carvings on Banjar houses, dragons and ivory-horned hornbills are often depicted as important symbols. But, with the growth of the Islamic religion which teaches that we should not make images or carvings of living creatures, people in Kalimantan found clever ways to maintain their cultural values. They transformed images of living creatures into images of plants, creating beautiful works of art that combined the richness of their culture with their religious beliefs.

With these colorful stories, the Dayak people of Kalimantan pass on a treasure trove of their ancestral knowledge to the younger generation. They teach that life is a balance between the upper and lower worlds, between hot and cold, and between the human world and the unseen world. Apart from that, these dragon stories also remind us how important it is to maintain the cultural diversity and values inherited from our ancestors. So, let's continue to protect these forests, rivers and legendary creatures so that their stories live on in our hearts and minds. Happy exploring! 🐉✨🌿

Moral Message: Harmony and Balance in Life and Culture

The moral value of the "Naga Lipat Bumi" stories from the Dayak tribe of Kalimantan is about maintaining a balance in life and preserving cultural diversity and values. These stories teach us that life is a delicate equilibrium between different worlds and elements, represented by the upper and lower realms, hot and cold, and the human world and the unseen world.

The belief in the coexistence of these realms highlights the importance of harmony and balance in our lives. It encourages us to respect and maintain a balance between different aspects of our existence. Additionally, the stories emphasize the significance of cultural preservation and the passing down of ancestral knowledge to younger generations. 

Overall, the moral of the "Naga Lipat Bumi" stories is to value and protect the balance in our lives, as well as the rich cultural heritage passed on by our ancestors. It reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our environment and the stories that connect us to our cultural roots.

Dayak Hat