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Rawa Pening

Sincerity and Simplicity: Moral Message from the Legend of Rawa Pening


Edisi Indonesia: Rawa Pening

Legends of Rawa Pening

The legend of Rawa Pening originates from the province of Central Java. Rawa Pening is a natural lake covering an area of 2,670 hectares, situated across four districts in the Semarang Regency: Bawen, Ambarawa, Tuntang, and Banyubiru. Nestled within the valleys of Mount Merbabu, Mount Telomoyo, and Mount Ungaran, this lake serves as a scenic tourist attraction and a fishing spot where people use nets to catch fish.

The tale begins in the village of Ngasem, nestled at the foot of Mount Telomoyo. The village is led by the wise and judicious village head, Ki Sela Gondang, who has a beautiful daughter named Endang Sawitri. One day, the village required a sacred heirloom to ensure the smooth running of the village festival. Endang Sawitri was sent to borrow the sacred heirloom from Ki Hajar Salokantara, a close friend of Ki Sela Gondang. Ki Hajar Salokantara warned Endang Sawitri not to place the heirloom on her lap. However, she defied this instruction and, as a consequence, became pregnant.

To cover the family shame, Ki Sela Gondang pleaded with Ki Hajar Salokantara to marry his daughter. Reluctantly, Ki Hajar Salokantara agreed. When Endang Sawitri gave birth, the child was a dragon named Baro Klinting. To break the curse of the heirloom, Baro had to seek Ki Hajar Salokantara, who was meditating on Mount Telomoyo.

At Mount Telomoyo, Baro Klinting had to meditate, wrapping his body around the peak of the mountain. Unfortunately, a group of villagers from Pathok, who were hunting, only saw Baro Klinting's tail. They unknowingly butchered it. After completing his meditation, Baro approached the people of Pathok to seek food and water. However, his body was covered in wounds and he was shabby, resulting in rejection from the villagers, except for an elderly widow named Nyai Latung, who offered him food and water.

Baro Klinting then challenged the villagers to pull out a stick he had planted. Whoever could do so would be considered exceptional. None of the villagers succeeded except for Baro Klinting. As he pulled the stick, water gushed out like a flood, alarming the villagers. Upon hearing the warning, Nyai Latung climbed atop a rice pounder, as advised by Baro Klinting. Gradually, the floodwater formed a vast, clear-water swamp. Nyai Latung named the submerged village Rawa Pening, meaning "clear swamp."


Moral Message: Cautions Against Arrogance and Prideful Behavior

The tale cautions against arrogance and prideful behavior, promoting instead the virtues of mutual assistance and helping one another regardless of background or social status.




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