Putri Pinang Masak ( Princess Pinang Masak) | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

One of the riches owned by Indonesia is the variety of its tribes. In Riau, there is a tribe which is known as Talang Mamak. According to some scholars, the tribe is included in Old Malay or Proto Malay which is indigenous tribe of Indragiri namely “Tuha Tribe”, which means the first tribe who have ever come. They spread out in four sub-districts, Batang Gansal, Cenaku, Kelayang, and Rengat Barat of Indragiri Hulu district. Old Malay or Proto Malay is a group of people who came from Asia Continent, particularly from Yunan area which is included in South China. It is thought that they came to Sumatra island for about 400 years BC.

Besides in Riau, Talang Mamak Tribe also lives in Jambi province, particularly in Semarantihan, Suo-Suo village, Sumai sub district, Tebo district. However, which is known as indigenous tribe of Jambi is Kubu Tribe, well known as Anak Dalam Tribe or Orang Rimba community. According to some scholars, this tribe is included in Old Malay or Proto Malay. Generally, they live in three different areas: National Park Bukit Tiga Puluh (north area of Jambi), National Park Bukit Dua Belas, and along cross roads of Sumatra (south area of Jambi province). They still live traditionally, nomadic from one forest to other forest in Jambi province and they earn living by hunting and gathering.

In addition, the origin of Talang Mamak Tribe in Riau and Kubu Tribe in Jambi can be known from myths or stories that spread out in the region. There are several different stories about the origin of Talang Mamak Tribe and Kubu Tribe. One of the stories that is well-known is the folklore of Putri Pinang Masak. Once upon the time, in Indragiri lived seven pairs of twins. The seven sons became brave young men while the seven daughters became beautiful girls. Out of seven, there was the most beautiful princess, namely Putri Pinang Masak. One day, Putri Pinang Masak suddenly disappeared. Where`s she gone? Who had kidnapped her? Did the seven princesses succeed to find her? If you want to know the answer, let read the complete story of Puri Pinang Masak, as follow:

* * *

In the past days, there was a story in Simbul country, Siberida, Indragiri Riau. In that country, there were seven pairs of twins. The oldest were Syam Marudum Sakti and Putri Pinang Masak, Buyung Selamat and Putri Mayang Mengurai, Sampurago and Subang Bagelan, Tonggak de Tonang and Putri Pandan Bajelo, Sapu Jagat and Putri Loyang Bunga Emas, Roger and Putri Setanggi, and the youngest were Tuntun and Putri Bungsu.

Those seven sons became brave young men whereas their twin daughters became beautiful girls. Out of those seven young men, Roger was the bravest while out of the seven girls, Putri Pinang Masak was the most beautiful.

One day, all people were shocked since Putri Pinang Masak suddenly disappeared. Her seven brothers were busy looking for her everywhere but they could not find her. The Brave Roger went to anywhere then he met Datuk Motah. From the Datuk, he got news that his sister Putri Pinang Masak was run away and married to King Dewa Sikaraba Daik by The King of Telni Talanai from Jambi.

After hearing the news and knowing where his sister was, Roger told the news to his brothers and sisters. Then they gathered and held discussion. “Hi, my brother Roger, we all know that amongst us, you are the strongest and the bravest, so only you who can escort Putri Pinang Masak in Jambi,” said Marudum Sakti. “You are right my brother! We agree to Marudum Sakti`s opinion,” added Tuntun, the youngest brother. “Yes, we all agree,” answers the others. Finally, Roger was sent to pick up Putri Pinang Masak peacefully.

One day later, Roger left for Jambi alone. Jambi country was hardly guarded since there was a dispute between King Telni Telanai and the Dutch colonialism. After negotiating with the palace`s guards, Roger was permitted to meet King Telni Telanai.

 “O, Young man! Who are you and where are you from?” asked King Telni.

“Have mercy, your Majesty! I am Roger and from Indragiri,`` answered Roger without telling the king that he was the brother of Putri Pinang Masak.

“What is your reason to come here?” asked King Telni.

“Have mercy your Majesty!. If you do not mind, please let me help you to chase out the collonialists from this country,” asked Roger to King Telni.

King Telni accepted him happily while saying, ”All right, Roger! You may stay at this palace.”

Since that time, Roger lived in the Palace of Jambi. Putri Pinang Masak had known about the presence of her brother but she did not tell anyone about their relationship.

To test his bravery, King Telni often sent him to sweep robbers in Jambi waters. Because of his power, Roger always succeeded so he was appointed as the commander of the country. Not for a long time, Roger was permitted to go to the battle against the Dutch.

At night before leaving for the battle, Putri Pinang Masak silently met her brother and gave him acindai shawl as heirloom. Because of the Cindai and his divine power, Roger succeeded to chase away the Dutch troops. All people of Jambi welcomed him as a hero. Because of his merits to the kingdom, King Telni Telana gave him title “Datuk” and appointed him “Dubalang Utama”. Now, the complete title of Roger is “Datuk Dubalang Utama Roger”.

As time went by, King Talni Telana started to get ill. Finally, he gave the power to his son, King Dewa Sikaraba Daik. However, since the kingdom was in King Dewa Sikaraba Daik`s hands, the peace and harmony in the kingdom decreased. Many rebellions happened in palace. That situation was used by the Dutch to force that young King.

After had been persuaded and forced by the commanders who became the spy of the Dutch, the weak King Dewa Sikaraba Daik signed a peace agreement with the Dutch. Datuk Roger was being captured. With hands tied, Datuk Roger was brought into the ship that would be sunk in the middle of the ocean.

However, when he would come into the ship, suddenly a mysterious tragedy happened. With the power of Allah, Roger suddenly disappeared without any signs. For a long time he had never shown so that the Dutch thought that he had already died.

After the leaving of Roger, The Dutch attacked the Jambi Kingdom. There were so many troops of King Dewa Sikaraba Daik who died. Some of them were increasingly pushed and cornered by the Dutch. In the crisis time, suddenly Roger came out. He asked the permission from King Sikaraba Daik to handle the enemy. With his power, Roger and his troops succeeded to chase the Dutch away. The traitors were being captured and killed. The Kingdom Jambi then became a safe and peace place to live. King Dewa Sikaraba Daik was able to rule people of Jambi wisely.

Looking at the safe condition in Jambi, Datuk Roger intended to go back to Indragiri. He met  King Dewa Sikaraba Daik.

”Have mercy, your Majesty! It is the time for me to go home. If you need me, call me in Siambul village in Hulu Batang Gangsal, Siberida, Indragiri,” said Datuk Roger.

Knowing that his brother would go back to Indragiri, Putri Pinang Masak immediately sit with the knees bent and folded in front of his husband, King Dewa Sikaraba Daik, “Forgive me, your majesty! Actually, I am the sister of Datuk Roger. Let me go home to Indragiri with him. I will immediately come back to this palace to give birth.” King Dewa Sikaraba Daik shocked to hear Putri Pinang Masak`s words. “Is that true, Datuk Roger?” asked the king with curiosity. “that`s true, your majesty!” answered Datuk Roger clearly.

Finally, Raja Dewa Sikaraba Daik knew their relative relationship that was kept secret for a long time. However, after remembering his merits to the Jambi kingdom, the King understood it. With heavyhearted, King Dewa Sikaraba Daik permitted Putri pinang Masak to go home to Indragiri together with his brother.

One day later, before those brother and sister left, Raja Dewa Sikaraba Daik handed over a Kingdom Poster announcing that forest in Jambi area was given to his descendants from Putri Pinang Masak.

After taking a long journey, Roger and Putri Pinang Masak arrived in Indragiri. They were happily welcomed by Siambul people. To show their happiness, people hold gawai ceremony or ceremonial meal. In that happy situation, Datuk Marudum Sakti said,” Our family is reunited now. This event should be a valuable learn for us to always look after and protect our relatives.”

In line with Kingdom Poster given by King Dewa Sikaraba Daik, today the descendants of Putri Pinang Masak become Kubu Tribe and Talang Mamak Tribe who live in Jambi forest. Up to now, those two tribes still can be found in hinterland of Jambi.

* * *

The folklore above is included to model story which contains moral values. There are two moral values that can be grabbed from that story, they are characteristic of liking to help and gratitude. Firstly, characteristic of liking to help is shown by Roger action that help Jambi to handle the Dutch. This characteristic can be properly used as model in our daily lives. For Malays, this characteristic is highly recommended. Characteristic of liking to help can improve social solidarity and bring about the true brotherhood among human being.

Secondly, characteristic of gratitude is shown by Raja Dewa Sikaraba Daik`s action who appointed Roger as “Datuk Dubalang Utama Roger” in the Jambi Kingdom. This characteristic is foremost in the live of Malayan people because it is a good and noble action. Because of that, in the lives of Malays, title “noble people” shows a noble and respectful behavior that is respected by their community. The superiority of gratitude in Malays` life often said in Tunjuk ajar Melayu, both in expression and in poet and pantun.  Malay expression says:

apa tanda Melayu jati, 
membalasa budi sampailah mati

In a poet, it is said:

wahai ananda ibu bermadah
membalas budi janganlah lengah
budi termakan hutang tak susah
balas olehmu karena lillah

in a pantun, it is said:

malam hari pasang pelita
apinya marak menerangi halaman
orang berbudi membalas jasa
seumur hidup jadi kenangan

Batu Menangis ( The Crying Stone ) | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

The province of West Kalimantan is one Indonesian province bordered directly to the eastern Malaysia. There are so many rivers here; thus the province is called “the province of the thousands river.”

Amongst the local inhabitants of West Kalimantan, a girl was cursed with a stone just because of her disobedient to her mother. Here is the story!

***

Once upon a time, there was a family of a widow, and her only daughter living in a hinterland of West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The widow was just an old woman; while her daughter was a charming girl, whose name was Darmi.

Both lived in a decrepit hut. They lived poor since the widow`s husband passed away. He was gone leaving no inheritance to the family. Consequently, to fulfil their needs, they were forced willy-nilly to work much harder.

However, Darmi was not a hard-worker, totally differed from her mother. She was a lazy girl who spent almost of her times dressing up and adoring her reflection on the mirror. One of her bad habits was showing off her beauty to the local people living in the surroundings. She never wanted to help her mother working at the field. If her mother asked her for help, Darmi refused.

“Girl, will you help at the field, now?” the mother asked.

“No, I won`t! I don`t want to go there. I`m afraid my skin turns dark,” Darmi answered to her mother without looking at her.

“You let me to work there alone, don`t you?”

“Mom, everyone knows that you are an old woman while I am a pretty young girl. So, people will get attracted to me and not you. That is why I prefer staying at home to working outside in the field because I…! am…! waiting for a rich boy propose me to get married with.”

Darmi`s mother was speechless to hear that. It was as if she was stricken by a light realizing that her daughter did no respect to her at all. Then, she went to the field alone and Darmi stayed at home.

Worse, Darmi used to beg money from her mother, soon after she went back from work. In fact, she earned too little to meet their daily need.

“Mom, where is the money?!” Darmi asked.

“No! I won`t give this to you. We need this to buy some foods,” the mother said.

“But I`m running out of face powder. I don`t have it anymore, Mom! I need to buy a new one,”

The mother got angry to her daughter but she repressed it. She surrendered and gave her the money.

Darmi “bad-habit” towards her mother occurred almost everyday. The mother worked too hard in the field; while Darmi stayed at home. The mother went back home; then, Darmi begged for the money.

One day, Darmi`s mother was going to a nearest market from her home. Darmi knew this, and she got her mother to buy some cosmetics. However, Darmi`s mother did not know anything about cosmetics. She asked Darmi to accompany her to the market.

“Go with me to the market so you can choose which one that you want,” the mother said.

“I don`t want to go with you!” Darmi answered.

“But I don`t know which one!”

Then, Darmi gave up. She followed her mother to go to the market.

“Ok, Mom! I will go with you, but please, you have to walk behind me!” said Darmi, who got her mother to act as if the old woman was her maid.

“Why, girl?” the mother wondered.

“I feel ashamed to walk along with an old woman like you. Look at me! I`m a graceful girl so I won`t people leave me because they know you`re my mother!” Darmi explained.

Both then looked for goods in the market. Darmi`s mother walked behind her daughter. She brought a plastic bag containing the things they got from there.

Actually, they were between a girl and her mother. But somehow they looked contrast. Darmi wore elegant clothes and walked gracefully; while her mother wore a worn out clothes with rumbling face.

Along the way in the market, many greeted Darmi, and some of them asked who the old woman was.

In a moment, Darmi met her friends. “Hi, Darmi! Where`re you goin`?

“Just looking around here. I wish I could find something good here,” she said.

“Then, who`s that one? Is that your Mom?” one of her friends asked Darmi while pointing at the mother.

“No, of course! She is a maid at my house, gals!”

Darmi`s mother was totally shocked to hear that. She couldn`t believe those words came out from her daughter. No matter what, she tried hard to calm herself down. She ease off her anger and went ahead accompanying her daughter.

In another moment, an unknown man greeted Darmi. It appears that the man would try to attract Darmi`s attention. But sure, she did not want to such a common man.

“Hi, girl! Where are you going?” asked the man while smilling.

“As you can see by yourself, I`m here looking for cosmetics,” she answered.

“Cosmetics to beautify you? And who`s the old woman behind you?”

“She`s my maid,” Darmi said.

What an attacking answer! Darmi`s mother could no longer restrain her anger. Soon after Darmi said that words, the mother stopped, and took a sit on a swing on the sidewalk.

“Why do you stop?” Darmi questioned her mother but she did not call her “Mom.”

“Hey! Are you listening to me?!” she shouted once more because the mother was just silent.

The mother kept silent, ignoring the call of her daughter who had hurt her.

Since then, Darmi`s mother mumbled with her hands looked up to the sky. She was reciting prayers to God so that her daughter was cursed to be a stone.

“Hey, old woman! What… are… you doing?!!” Darmi kept stubborn, admitting the old woman was not her mother.

Darmi`s mother intended not to answer. She kept praying to God upon a curse towards her daughter.

All of sudden, the sky turned dark. The loud thunder roared back and forth. The rain fell heavily.

At that time, Darmi could move her foots anymore. Gradually, her foots turned into black stone that later on covered her entire body.

“Mom…! Mom…! What`s happening to me?” finally she called her mother “Mom.” “I`m sorry, Mom! I`m so sorry…,” she cried loudly.

Everything went on. The curse upon Darmi`s disobedience had happened. The stone covered almost all her body.

When the stone almost reached her head, Darmi shed tears. All the people passing by the market saw this. Likewise, they watched the girl crying.

The weather returned as normal. Now, the stone had covered Darmi`s entire body, the disobedient girl. What a miracle, the stone, due the present, keeps spouting water as if a crying girl. Some people took the stone, and put it on a corner of the market. Since that time, people called the stone the “crying stone.”

***

Here is the story about the origins of the “crying stone,” which is originally from the province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. There is a worth lesson can be taken from the story. The figure Darmi strongly refused to admit that the old woman was actually her mother. She was a lazy while her mother was a hard-worker. Consequently, she was cursed to be a stone upon her disobedience towards her mother.

In the Tunjuk Ajar Melayu (Effendy: 2006), it is said:

Kalau hidup mendurhaka
Kemana pergi akan celaka
 
Kalau suka berbuat durhaka
Orang benci Tuhan pun murka

The above pantun suggests that we should obey all our parents` good orders. Two logic consequences of disobedience, as what the pantun says, are luring both rage from God and surrounding people.

Timun Mas | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

Timun Mas is a beautiful girl who is kind-hearted, smart, and brave. She is very dear to his mother, Mbok Srini. One day, an evil giant comes to eat Timun Mas. Why? And do the mother and daughter survive? You had better read the following story.

***

There was a kampong in Central Java wherein a widow lived. She was Mbok Srini. She was childless and after the death of her husband, she lived alone. The hope to have a child faded away with time. She only prayed for a miracle, that someday she could be a mother.

One night, she had a dream. A giant creature told her to go to the jungle where she usually collected firewood. There she would find a package under a big tree. In the morning the widow woke up, not believing what she just dreamt.

“Could it really happen to me?” she asked to herself.

The widow decided to give it a go. Full of hope, she rushed to a place as pointed in her dream. In the jungle, she sought the package and, surprisingly, found it under an enormous tree. It contained a cucumber seed.

“What is this?” murmured her.

She was still in confusion when suddenly a loud laughter broke out behind her. She just realized that there was a giant standing there.

Mbok Srini was taken aback. It was the giant she met in his dream! So frightened she became.

“Have mercy, Mister Giant. Don’t eat me,” begged Mbok Srini with a pale face.

“I won’t, old woman, I won’t. Don’t you want a child?” asked the giant.

“You… You are right, Mister Giant,” answered Mbok Srini.

“Grow that seed and you will have a daughter. But remember this. I will come to you when she grows up and take her. I’m going to taste her delicious flesh,” said the giant.

“That is fine, Mister Giant. I will give her back to you when it’s time.”

The giant vanished. The woman planted the cucumber seed in her yard. Full of hope, she took care of the plant very carefully. Two months later, the cucumber was ripening. It weirdly yielded only one fruit, but it was much bigger than usual cucumbers. Its color was golden and it was very heavy. Mbok Srini cut it off and took it inside her hut. There she cut the cucumber in halves and sound a baby girl so adorable.

“Aaaaa! Aaaaa! Aaaaa!” the baby cried once she was taken out.

Mbok Srini was so happy to hear a baby’s cry she had been wishing for. She named the baby Timun Mas.

“There there… Don’t cry my sweet baby,” Mbok Srini tried to comfort Timun Mas.

The old widow could not be happier. Tears run down on her wrinkled cheeks. She raised Timun Mas with the affection of a real mother. The baby grew up a beautiful girl. She was kind-hearted too. Mbok Srini loved her so much. She forgot her vow that someday the giant would come up to take the girl back.

One night, Mbok Srini dreamed of the giant coming up to her. The dream reminded her of her vow. Since then, she often sat on the porch alone, mourning all day long. She might soon lose her beloved daughter but was bent on to keep her. She just did not know what to do.

Timun Mas noticed that something had been concerning her mother. That day, she chose to spend the afternoon at home and sat beside her.

“Mother, why do you often look sad recently?” asked Timun Mas.

Reluctantly, Mbok Srini revealed everything to her. She told her that she was not really her daughter, that a giant gave her to her and would take her once she grew up.

“I’m sorry, my daughter. All this time I kept this for myself.”

Timun Mas could not speak a word. She was speechless, not believing what she just heard. She looked down for a while, then up again, as if she had taken a decision.

“I don’t want to go with the giant. Whatever happens, I’m staying here with you, mother,” said Timun Mas firmly.

The day finally came. From afar, Mbok Srini and Timun Mas could hear the giant’s steps. In panic, Mbok Srini told Timun Mas to act ill.

“Hey, old widow! Where’s the girl? I suppose she looks very tasty by now. It’s been years. Haha!” said the giant.

The widow came out of her hut. Timidly, she came closer to the giant.

“I’m sorry. She is severely ill at the moment. Her flesh will not be fresh. What if you come back in three days? Let her recover first,” coaxed Mbok Srini. She tried to get more time to find a way to save Timun Mas.

“Is she really? Well, all right then. I will come again in three days. You’d better make sure she is ready,” answered the giant.

After the giant left, Mbok Srini walked out to see a hermit who lived in a mountain. She just recalled about him and wanted to know if he could help.

“I’m going to the mountain. There is a hermit, a friend of my late husband, who probably can help us out. You stay here and don’t go out,” Mbok Srini said to Timun Mas.

“But be careful mother,” said the girl.

Mbok Srini headed for the mountain right away. There, she met the hermit and let him know what she came for.

“Wait a moment. I’ll get you something that might help,” said the hermit.

Not long after, he showed up with four little bundles of things and gave them to Mbok Srini.

“Take these for your daughter. They contain cucumber seeds, needles, salts, and shrimp paste. Use them one at a time while in danger. Let’s hope we could defeat the giant, Mbok Srini,” explained the hermit.

Mbok Srini felt a bit relieved. She came home and handed the bundles to Timun Mas.

Two days later, the giant turned up. He looked so hungry and raring to eat the girl.

“Well, well, old widow. Where’s my girl now?” asked him.

“You again, giant. I believe you are very hungry now,” Mbok Srini answered. Timun Mas came out fearfully and stood beside her mother.

“Don’t be afraid. If he comes to you, you should run. Run as fast as you can. Open the bundles to protect yourself,” Mbok Srini whispered to her daughter.

“Yes, mother,” answered Timun Mas.

The giant could not wait anymore. He was drooling already. But when he stuck out his hand to grab the girl, she ran away. He chased her with far longer steps. Slowly, he could catch up with the girl. Realizing the situation, Timun took one of the bundles and opened it.

She untied a bundle, which turned out to contain cucumber seeds. She poured the seeds on the ground and in a very short time the area became a cucumber garden. The plants grew thickly, wrapping around the giant. Timun took her time to take off. The giant could free himself of the plants shortly. He had not given up.

The giant forced Timun to open another bundle, containing needles. She scattered it everywhere and they magically turned into tall and sharp bamboo. They wounded the giant’s feet but he did not stop his run.

Timun opened a bundle for the third time. It was salt inside. The girl spread the salt out, turning the ground into a lake. The giant stepped in it and roared as his wounds touched the salt water. It held him back, but only for a while. The giant forced his way across the lake. Timun Mas began to be very anxious. She had only one bundle left. Knowing that the giant had reached the land, she opened the bundle. Shrimp paste spread all over the ground and formed a muddy quicksand. The giant stepped on it and got trapped. He vainly struggled to get up. A moment later, he lost his strength. He was sucked down and died. Timun had made it. She got rid of the giant forever.

With all her strength left, Timun walked home. Mbok Srini hugged her right away. She cried in happiness to see her sole daughter safe. They were so grateful to God the Almighty. There was no giant anymore. From then on, they lived together peacefully and happily.

***

The above story shows us that bad intentions lead to misfortunes. The giant character conveys this message. Besides, Timun Mas holds that one must work hard and be fearless and optimistic to get through the obstacles and problems of life. Mbok Srini and Timun Mas need to take the risk and put aside their fear to free themselves from the giant.

Untung Suropati | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

Untung Suropati is a brave soldier who fights the Dutch colonial government in Nusantara. The story of his legendary struggle has been written in many forms of prose, such as historical prose, novel, and also folktale. How his struggle goes? Find out in the following story.

***

Long ago, there was a seven year old boy who only Heaven knew his original name. He was a slave from Bali that was found by Captain van Beber, a VOC official, while he was on duty in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Because lacking money, the captain sold the boy to Mur, a military officer who worked in Batavia. Since having the boy with him, Officer Mur’s carrier and wealth climbed up fast. He thought the boy had brought him luck, so he called him Si Untung, the Lucky Boy.

Officer Mur was a widower. He had a beautiful daughter of the same age with Untung. Her name was Suzanne. When he bought the boy, Officer Mur thought that maybe with another kid in the house, Suzanne would not get so lonely anymore. Untung was an amiable boy that shortly after his arrival he already got close to his master’s daughter. They spent time together, in sadness and happiness. Love flourished unhurriedly between them. As they grew up, they had been involved in a romantic relationship at the back of Officer Mur.

At 20, Untung and Suzanne secretly got married. But their togetherness did not last long as the girl’s father found out everything. Officer Mur was angered, inflamed. He expelled his daughter to an isle off Batavia and put the boy in jail. It was when Untung’s hatred towards the Dutch government sparked and got more and more intense as days went by. Behind the railings, he was rounding up followers from fellow prisoners.

Untung had been contriving an escape plan for some time now. That day, he thought it was time to tell his fellows about it.

“Brothers, my fellow countrymen! We have come to a situation where we should no longer be soft to the Dutch. It is time for us to get out and boot them out of our beloved motherland!” shouted Untung.

They were all dumbfounded. For them, such an idea had never crossed their mind. It was nearly a dream.

“Young men! How is that possible? They have guns and we have nothing,” said one of the prisoners.

“No need to worry,” answered Untung. “I will give you guns too. I have savings for that.”

With a hope came up, they all agreed. One by one they got guns and pistols. Finally, the revolt broke out on one night in the jail. Holding weapons on their hands, Untung and his friends ran amuck and smashed the gate. The guards could not handle the tumult so they called for support. As the Dutch military troops joined them, Untung and friends were cornered and forced to run off to the jungle. There, deep inside the woods, they mustered up power to launch another devastating attack on the Dutch.

Untung and friends then began to make problems at night in one place and another. They kept moving until one day reached Banten Sultanate. Untung appeared before the ruler, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, and told him about his struggle and that he would appreciate his supports. The sultan consulted him to go to the Sultan of Cirebon.  

“Go to Cirebon and to the sultan. Tell him I send you. You’ll get help from him,” said the sultan.

Untung took off to Cirebon soon. On their way, they bumped into Raden Suropati, a foster child of the Sultan of Cirebon. 

“Who are you?” asked Raden Suropati.

Untung spoke to the young man that he came to see the Sultan of Cirebon for help. Raden Suropati seemed to understand the importance of his coming. He was willing to lead him to the palace.

“Well, in that case, we will take you to the sultan. But first you have to relinquish your weaponry to us,” said Raden Suropati.

They gave up all their weapons. Untung himself handed his guns, but not his patrem. The small dagger was the only thing that he would not give to anyone. Raden Suropati was insulted with the refusal. He wanted the dagger too. Untung’s insistence eventually led to a battle between Untung’s men and the prince’s troop. Untung’s men walked away with a victory. The prince Raden Suropati was killed in Untung’s hand.

The resurgent group continued their walk to Cirebon Royal Palace. Untung told the sultan honestly what happened in the jungle when he and his friends confronted Raden Suropati. The sultan surprisingly did not get insulted as he knew that it was his forster child that was too suspicious and arrogant. He welcomed Untung warmly. He even gave the name “Suropati” to his guest. Since then, the young man’s name became Untung Suropati.

Some time later, the sultan told Untung to go to Mataram and served Sunan Mangkurat II who resided in Kartasura. Untung did everything he was told.

“I will take you as my servant. But you have to prove what you’re worth. Go to Banyumas, let’s see if you can subdue the revolt there,” said Sunan Mangkurat.

Untung Suropati took the challenge. He headed for Banyumas right away and stopped the rebellion in a very short time. Coming back with a success, Untung was appointed army commander of Mataram. At the same time, the Dutch heard about Untung and at once sent their troop to Kartasura.

That day, a Mataram spy rushed in the palace and appeared before Sunan Mangkurat II. “My king, I saw the Dutch heading here. They came fully armed,” reported him.

The king quickly called Untung Suropati. “Handle them. Make sure they don’t get here alive!”

“Right away!” answered Untung Suropati, bowing his body towards the king.

Untung led his soldiers to the far-flung border of Kartasura. The Dutch troop got in but the Mataram army had been waiting for them. They came to blows. Untung got help from Prince Puger, another commander sent by Sunan Mmangkurat II. Prince Puger had in his hand, the royal heirloom kris called Kanjeng Kyai Plered. To deceive the Dutch, he wore the same wardrobe with Untung.  The strategy made Captain Tar, the Dutch commander, confused. He could not tell which of them was Untung Suropati, the fugitive. At long last, Prince Puger could slay Captain Tar. The rest of the troop was exterminated by Untung and his soldiers.

After that, Sunan Mangkurat instructed Untung to go to seize Pasuruan. He accomplished the task successfully again, defeating the duke, Anggajaya. Later on, the king appointed him to take control of Pasuruan. During his time in the office, Untung never stopped encouraging his people to fight the Dutch. It had been many times that the Dutch tried to quell him, all came to nothing.

Meanwhile back in Kartasura, Sultan Amangkurat II just passed away. His death brought in power struggle between Prince Puger and Amangkurat III. To assume the throne, Prince Puger betrayed his kingdom and sided with the Dutch. With such a support, he soon shoved Amangkurat III away. He was later enthroned and bore the title Pakubuwana I. As for Amangkurat III, he fled to Pasuruan and sought shelter from Untung Suropati.

A year later, an ally of the Dutch army, Kartasura, Madura, and Surabaya under the command of Goovert Knole assaulted Pasuruan. A fierce war broke out in Bangil Fortress. In the battle, Pasuruan was crushed. Untung Suropati was severely wounded and eventually died.

It was the end of his struggle, but not the people’s. After his death, his sons and the people continued opposing the Dutch bravely.

***

Thus ends the historical tale of Untung Suropati. People say, before breathing his last, Untung Suropati said to his men to keep his death in secret. That is probably why no one knows for sure where he is buried. But there is a cave in Mancilan, Pasuruan, East Java, which people believe to be his hideout during the struggle.

Untung Suropati was a true, brave hero. He devotes himself for his country and people, to free them from colonialism. For his service, Untung Suropati receives a posthumous title as hero of Indonesian struggle for independence from the Indonesian government in 1975. His gallantry is what people need in life. In Tunjuk Ajar Melayu (Malay Verses of Guidance), it is said that one must bravely fight for something right and for justice.

Wahai ananda bunda berwasiat (O son, mother has said)

Elok berani dikandung adat (that it is good to be brave)

Membela kebenaran sampai ke lahat (to fight for the right until your grave)

Semoga hidupmu beroleh berkat (may God bless you in your life)

The History Of Mount Merapi | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

Mount Merapi sits largely in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, with some parts cover the areas of some regencies in Central Java Province, i.e. Magelang, Boyolali, and Klaten. According to the local people, the land on which the mountain is situated was once plain. Following an urgent situation, the gods in heaven decided to move Mount Jamurdipa there from the South Sea. Since then, a crater was formed and belching out superheated materials. Why so? Find out in this story.

***

Java is one of the biggest islands in Indonesian Archipelago. People say, the island was once crooked that the gods in heaven had to fix it. The gods called a meeting that produced a decision: they had to put a mountain in the middle of the island to keep the balance. Jamurdipa, a mountain off the southern coast of Java, was selected.

Meanwhile, at the place where Mount Jamurdipa was going to be moved, there were two smiths in the middle of making a powerful kris. Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi were known to possess enormous strength. The gods understood the situation. They knew they had to talk to the smiths first. Batara Guru, the King of Gods, sent Batara Narada and God Penyarikan accompanied by a throng of soldiers to tell Empu Rama and Pamadi to move.

The smiths were working when the heaven entourage arrived. The gods were balled over to see them forging metals, not with hammers or any tools, but with their thighs and bare hands. Fire sparked every time they pounded the metals with their fists. Clearly, the smiths were not ordinary men. The gods and the soldiers could not help themselves shaking. 

“Excuse us, Empu! We’re sent by His Highness Batara Guru to talk to you,” opened God Penyarikan.

The smiths stopped working and let the guests in and sit.

“What is it, Pukulun? What can we do for you?” asked Empu Rama.

“We have come to deliver a message,” Batara Narada answered the question plainly.

“I hope it is good news,” said Empu Pamadi.

Batara Narada explained the situation and the intention of the gods to move Jamurdipa. For that and for their own safety, the smiths were required to go. Unfortunately, they were in the middle of making a kris so that was something they could not do.

“I’m sorry, Pukulun! That we couldn’t do. We’re making a kris at the moment,” answered Empu Rama.

“I know. Making kris is such a sacred process. But if we don’t move the mountain as soon as possible, this island will slant more. That will cause disasters for the people. Pray, smiths, go. If you stay, you will risk your life. It’s a mountain that we’re moving here,” explained God Penyarikan.

“We have prepared for you a better place than here for making a kris,” added Batara Narada.

“We can’t. We’re not going anywhere until the kris is done. Moving about during the process will result in a bad work. Why not you make the mountain somewhere else?” asked Empu Pamadi.

Batara Narada and God Penyaringan started to get irritated by the smiths’ stubbornness. They had to make them move whatever it took since Batara Guru had issued a command.

“O humans! Don’t make us force you out of here,” threatened Batara Narada.

Nevertheless, the two smiths had a harsh stance. They were not afraid of the threats for they believed they did something right by doing their best to finish the kris. Seeing no solution, they inevitably came to blows. The smiths bravely fought the heaven’s army. Both sides clashed fiercely: two against hundreds. Despite losing in number, the smiths were too powerful to the gods and soldiers. After a long fight, they finally won the battle.

Losing the fight, Batara Narada and God Penyarikan flew back to heaven and reported to Batara Guru.

“Have mercy, Your Highness, for we have failed to make them move. They were too powerful,” reported Batara Narada.

The situation grew from bad to worse. Batara Guru was infuriated.

“How obstinate!! We have to teach them a lesson!” roared Batara Guru. “Bayu, the God of Wind! Blow Jamurdipa at once!”

God Bayu blew the mountain, flinging it up high. It fell down right on the hearth of the smiths. Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi were struck dead by the mountain. Their spirits remained there, acting as guardians. Their hearth turned into a crater and since then it became a volcano. By the gods, the mountain was called Merapi.

***

Until today, Merapi is still an active volcano. Of note, the volcano has erupted more or less 68 times since 1548 up to this day (27 October 2010). The latest eruption took place in late 2010, forcing thousands people to run away, devastating countless homes and killing hundreds of people, including its infamous spiritual guardian, Mbah Maridjan.

The story tells us that sometimes, we should do something good for others and not be selfish like Empu Rama and Empu Pamadi. They care only of their job, not thinking that the gods need to move the mountain for the goodness of the world. Moreover, they try to fight the gods and end up dead pinned under the mountain. 

Si Pitung | English Version | Versi Bahasa Inggris

Pitung is a legendary figure and hero for Betawi people in Jakarta. He is believed to be a silat master yet so pious and humble. With his skills, he fought for ordinary folks that were oppressed by the colonial Dutch. He robbed those who became rich by being the colonial government’s henchmen, and distributed the loots to common people. He is known as “the Robin Hood of Betawi”.

Up to today, Betawi people believe that Si Pitung did live and fight for them, and that he was buried in Marunda, North Jakarta. Here is a story of the legendary hero.

***

At an afternoon, Pak Piun was sitting around on the porch. He had just been working all day long at his farm; that time he wished to relax with his family. Bu Pinah, his wife, sat on a bamboo bed while touching her puffing belly. She was going to be a mother within days. Pak Piun smiled calmly, praying that his soon-born child be a useful child.

 All of a sudden, one of his three children who surrounded Bu Pinah asked him.

“Father, why did you let Babah Liem’s hatchet men took the crops you just harvested?”

Pak Piun remained silent for a moment, then answered in a low voice.

“That’s all right, Son. We still have some.”

In truth, Pak Piun was mourning at heart. He did not expect his crops to be plundered. A commoner like him could not have done anything about it anyway.

Rawabelong, his kampong, was part of Kebayoran Private Land. Liem Tjeng Soen became the landlord after purchasing the land from the Dutch government on a condition that he would pay the tax.

In controlling the land, Babah Liem hired some strong men from the neighborhood. Their job was collecting taxes from the people, who would not dare to fight  a group of coldblooded men like them. The people would only stay silent when they took their chicken, goats, crops, and everything else.

Several days later, Bu Pinah gave birth to a son. Pak Piun named his new-born child Pitung and called him Si Pitung. Like other Betawi kids in general, Pitung was raised in his own family. He learned manners, recited Quran, helped his father at the farm, picked coconuts, and collected grass for their goats. Oftentimes, he voluntarily lent a hand to his neighbors.

Pitung observed God’s commands, prayed, and fasted and always talked politely. He had great respect for his parents, too.

As he grew up, Pitung learned religion, silat, and other martial arts from Haji Naipin, an esteemed ulama from Kampong Rawabelong. The boy showed he was an assiduous and loyal student, making him dear to his master. To him, Haji Naipin passed on all of his skills with a hope that Pitung would be a useful man for others in the future. Haji Naipin even taught him the pancasona ability that would make him invulnerable to any weapon. Haji Naipin said to Pitung, “This ability is for you to fight for the powerless against injustice. Don’t use your power to do bad things to others!”

It was an honor for Pitung to be Haji Naipin’s dearest pupil, yet he stayed humble. Pitung treated others kindly all the time. But he was, anyhow, a young man with a flaming passion. He had a relationship with Aisyah, a pretty girl in the neighborhood, and promised her a marriage once they both came of age.

One day, Pitung saw with his own eyes the heartlessness of Babah Liem’s hatchet men. They came to a man’s house to plunder his chicken, goats, coconuts, and some crops from his rice barn. The young man was irritated. He wanted to teach them a lesson. But his mother held him back.

“Don’t you do that, Tung! They have control over this place. Be patient, they will get a punishment themselves.”

Obeying his mother, Pitung stood poised. On the other day, though, when he was stopping by a neighboring kampong, again he saw Babah Liem’s men taking things from a man’s house by force.

Pitung ran out of patience and came over to them.

“Losers!” shouted Pitung. “Why taking things from this powerless man? Here, you have a real opponent to fight!”

One of the men turned his face to Pitung and smiled with disdain. Apparently he was the chief.

“Boy, I am pretty sure you don’t know us.”

“Sthuuew!” Pitung spat onto the ground in anger. "Six big men harassing one guy? I don’t need to ask anyone to know you are losers.”

The chief became furious. He attacked Pitung rampantly, thinking that the young man would be easy to knock down. Surprisingly, Pitung managed to seize his arm and slam him hardly. With the man passed out, the others hurried to surround Pitung. Very quickly, Pitung attacked them first. One by one, he hit them in the face, making them faint or moan in pain. Those who were conscious rushed to carry their fellows away. They ran off.

“Be ready, young man! We’ll report this to our boss,” they said.

Several days afterwards, Pitung was widely talked in Kebayoran. But he did not feel proud of it. In fact, he tried to avoid answering questions about the fight.

One day, Pak Piun asked his son to sell two goats to Tanah Abang Market. Pitung took the animals to the market right away. Without him realizing, two scary men were following him. Pitung sold the goats quickly and put the money in his pocket. On his way home, he stopped by a small mosque. It was a hot day indeed. Pitung wanted to take a rest for a while. He took off his clothes and got in a nearby river. The stalkers moved closer quietly and took the money from Pitung’s clothes.

Pitung did not realize that until he got home. Angrily, he walked back to Tanah Abang Market to find the thieves. When he did, they were hanging around with some people in a tavern at the time.

Pitung came to them and said, “Give me back my money.”

The people were surprised, then burst into laughter.

One of them said, “You can take your money for sure. But you have to be one of us.”

“I cannot think of myself becoming a filthy thief,” said Pitung rudely.

Offended by Pitung’s word, they set on Pitung all at once. But their opponent this time was the man who beat up six Babah Liem’s men all by himself. One by one they got hit by Pitung.

Since that day, Si Pitung decided to dedicate his ability to help the weak. He could not stand seeing their misery, being oppressed by landlords and the colonial government. Some hatchet men he once trounced turned into his fellows. He gathered them and formed a group of bandits. Together, they robbed rich people houses and distributed the loot for the poor and helpless.

Pitung’s name had been a talk among the people. The landlords and rich people who took advantage of their own people by siding with the Dutch were very much concerned. They reported the problem to the colonial government.

The Dutch office in Batavia commanded their staff to capture Si Pitung right away. Schout Heyne, the kontrolir[1] of Kebayoran district, ordered his personnel to find out where the fugitive was. He offered a big amount of money for anyone telling him Si Pitung’s whereabouts.

Knowing he was sought by so many people, Pitung moved from one place to another, down to Marunda. In that time, he continuously ransacked from rich people’s houses, tyrant local rulers, and landlords. He gave what he took to the people in need, to those suffering from colonialism.

But one day, Pitung and his gang got set up by the police. That time they were breaking in into a district head’s house. The police seized the house while Pitung was inside. He surrendered to the police to let his friends run away. He was soon confined at Grogol.

Nonetheless, it did not take long for him to plot an escape. One night, he got out of his prison through the roof, sending whole jail into a sudden panic.

“Where is Pitung, boys?” they asked Pitung’s cellmate.

“I don’t know. He just disappeared,” answered the prisoner.

The escape of their most dangerous enemy caused concerns for the Dutch and local rulers. Schout Heyne ordered his men to arrest Pak Piun and Haji Naipin. He tortured the two old men to tell him where Pitung was. They did not speak a word and were sent to jail at Grogol.

Pitung did not slack his action until he heard his father and master were in the police’s hand. He sent a message to the Dutch that he would give in if they released the old men. Schout Heyne agreed.

On the given day, they took Haji Naipin to a court. Pak Piun had been released free before. On the court, a troop of policemen pointed guns at Haji Naipin. Not long after, Pitung showed up. He was alone. When Schout Heyne asked him to surrender, Pitung requested that his master be let go first.

Haji Naipin was freed. Pitung came forward to Schout Heyne. The policemen now turned their guns to Pitung.

“Finally, Pitung,” said Schout Heyne arrogantly.

“Yes. But, trust me, I will run away again. I won't refrain from my action no matter how many of you guys are,” answered Pitung with a smile.

Pitung irritated Schout Heyne. The kontrolir was running amok. He took a few steps back quickly and told his men to ready their weapons. Haji Naipin, who was still there, was tying to stop them. The policemen fired their guns somehow. There, on the ground, Pitung fell down covered with blood.

Pitung was buried several days later. Hundreds of people came to the funeral of their hero and prayed for him. They would always remember Si Pitung, their defender and protector.

A couple of months later, Schout Heyne was fired for having gunned down a man who did not resist when being captured.

***

Although in the end, Si Pitung gets killed by Dutch’s bullets, he dies as a hero and is always remembered by the people that way. This story conveys a message that a person who dares to stand up for justice and truth will bring goodness for himself and others. A coward like Scout Heyne will do anything to quiet his opponents but somehow he gets what he deserves.

The life of Si Pitung develops to be a folklore story in some different versions. Besides told in books and magazines, the story has also been made into popular films, such as Titisan Si Pitung (1989, directed by Tommy Burnama) and Pitung 3: Pembalasan Si Pitung Ji’ih (1977, directed by Nawi Ismail).

In 1982, the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta bought a house at Jakarta Coast, Marunda, that was believed to be Si Pitung’s house. However, Jakarta Post (10/23/1999) declares that the house actually belonged to Syafiudin, one of Si Pitung’s “victims”. This somehow proves that Si Pitung is always considered a model to follow by the people.