Putri Naga (Dragon Princess) and Tuan Tapa

The Legend of the Dragon Princess and Tuan Tapa: The Tale Behind Tapaktuan City in Aceh

Edisi Bahasa Indonesia: Putri Naga dan Tuan Tapa

Folklore from Aceh

Tapaktuan City, also known as the Dragon City, holds a captivating legend about Princess Naga and Tuan Tapa. This tale narrates the story of two dragons from China who were banished due to their inability to conceive. They settled in Tuantapa Bay where they discovered a baby adrift in the ocean. With immense affection, they nurtured the child until she blossomed into a beautiful young girl.

Upon the arrival of a ship from the Asranaloka Kingdom, the king and queen believed the girl to be their long-lost daughter. A conflict ensued when they sought to reclaim their daughter, leading to a battle between the king and the dragon. While Tuan Tapa, who was meditating nearby, attempted to intervene, the dragons invited him to partake in the conflict. In the ensuing fight, the male dragon perished, and the female dragon divided the island into Pulau Dua and Pulau Banyak in Aceh Singkil.

The girl, now dubbed the Dragon Princess, reunited with her royal family and settled along the coastline. Subsequently, Tuan Tapa fell ill and passed away during Ramadan in the 4th Hijriyah. His resting place is near Mount Lampu in Tapaktuan.

This legend serves as a draw for tourists, complementing Tapaktuan City's natural beauty, including Tapaktuan Bay Beach, Labuhan Haji Beach, and a plethora of other attractions such as Cold Water Tourism and Hatta Panorama.

Moral Message: Sacrifice, Kindness, and Strength in Facing Conflict

This story underscores the virtues of sacrifice, kindness, and strength in confronting conflicts. Princess Naga's selflessness in nurturing the sea-found infant, and Tuan Tapa's fortitude in mediating the dispute between the dragon and the king, exemplify courage, compassion, and sacrifice amidst turmoil—integral moral lessons embedded within this tale.

Celestial Serpents: Chinese Dragon Harmony