The Origin of Lake Sentani

The Origin of Lake Sentani: A Tale of Wisdom, Nature, and Responsibility from Papua

Edisi Indonesia: Asal Mula Danau Sentani

Long ago, in the land now known as Papua, lived two young men from the Wally clan named Roo Wally and Habhoye Wally. They were close friends who often learned together. One day, they decided to deepen their knowledge by studying under a wise teacher named Holo Robhonnoye, renowned for his wisdom and understanding of nature.

At the teacher's house, they learned many valuable skills. Holo Robhonnoye taught them how to hunt, build houses, and, most importantly, find sources of water—an essential for survival. After some time, the two young men felt ready to return to their village.

Before they departed, Holo Robhonnoye handed them an anggay, a stalk of nibun palm filled with water. While giving it to them, he offered stern advice.

Holo Robhonnoye: "Carry this anggay carefully. Make sure it never touches the ground. If it does, you must immediately run to higher ground. Remember this well!"

Roo and Habhoye nodded firmly.

Roo Wally: "We understand, Teacher. We will take good care of the anggay."
Habhoye Wally: "We won’t disappoint you."

The Journey Begins

With that, they began their long journey back to their village. Taking turns, they carried the anggay with great care. Along the way, they were amazed by the natural beauty of Papua. They saw a variety of animals, from birds of paradise to tree kangaroos.

Habhoye Wally: "Look at that, Roo! Such a beautiful bird of paradise. We’re lucky to live in such a magical land."
Roo Wally: "Yes, but remember the teacher’s warning. We must not let our guard down."

Everything changed, however, when they came across a stunning cassowary.

Roo Wally: "Look at that cassowary! I’ve never seen one so beautiful."
Habhoye Wally: "We have to catch it, Roo! This is a rare opportunity."

Forgetting their teacher’s warning, they placed the anggay on the ground and began chasing the cassowary. The bird ran swiftly into the forest, leading them farther away from where they had left the anggay.

Panic in the Forest

After hours of chasing with no success, they stopped, exhausted.

Habhoye Wally: "Roo, the cassowary is too fast! I can’t go on."
Roo Wally: "Neither can I... Wait! We left the anggay behind!"

Shocked, they hurried back to the spot where they had placed the anggay. But when they arrived, they were met with a terrifying sight.

Habhoye Wally: "Oh no! The water is gushing out so fast! What should we do?"
Roo Wally: "The teacher said we must run to higher ground! Hurry!"

With all their strength, they ran up the nearest hill as the water continued to flow uncontrollably, flooding the valley below.

The Formation of Lake Sentani

From the top of the hill, they watched as the water filled the valley, creating a vast lake. They realized their mistake and the importance of heeding their teacher’s advice.

Habhoye Wally: "This is all our fault, Roo. If only we hadn’t been so reckless and followed the teacher’s instructions..."
Roo Wally: "We must learn from this, Habhoye. This lake will serve as a reminder for us and future generations."

Holo Robhonnoye, who heard about the incident, came to meet them.

Holo Robhonnoye: "My children, you have learned an important lesson. This land is full of wonders, but it must be respected. Your mistake has created something beautiful, but do not repeat it."

From that day on, the valley filled with water became known as Lake Sentani, which means "the lake of peace." Around the lake, beautiful cassowaries, like the one they had chased, can still be seen, as if they are part of the legend.

This story is passed down from generation to generation, teaching the importance of listening to wise advice, respecting nature, and maintaining balance in life. 

Moral Message

The story of the origin of Lake Sentani teaches us the importance of heeding advice, respecting nature, and maintaining responsibility. Roo and Habhoye’s carelessness serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, and we must think before acting. It also highlights the value of humility and learning from mistakes to achieve harmony with our surroundings.