Folklore And Legends
FOLKLORE OF BANTA SEUDANG

Once upon a time, in the land of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Indonesia, lived a fair and wise King. The king had an old pregnant queen. Once, the king went hunting animals into the forest. It was then that her empress gave birth to a handsome boy in the palace, and gave him the name Banta Seudang. However, unfortunate fate for the King, because he could not see the handsome face of his son. Both of his eyes were blindly hit by wooden twigs while hunting in the forest. From then on, he was unable to carry out royal duties anymore. Because Banta Seudang is still a baby, then the throne of the kingdom he handed over temporarily to his biological sister. However, the newly appointed brother of the king was very cunning and greedy. He made a house a little far from the palace for his brother's residence with his wife and Banta Seudang. The new king sent daily food aid for his brother's daily needs with his family.

Time keeps going. Banta Seudang grew up to be a handsome teenager. He began to wonder to his mother about who met the needs of their daily lives, even though his father was blind.

“Sorry, Mom! May I ask Mother something,” said Banta.

“What's up, my boy? Say!” exclaim the Mother.

“Where do we get food every day, whereas Dad never works?” banta asked in curiosity.

“Behold, My child! The needs of our daily lives are helped by your Uncle who is now King,” replied his mother.

“Pakcik is very kind to you Bu,” said Banta.

“Yes, My son!” the mother replied with a smile as she stroked Banta's hair.

One day, the mother and Banta Seudang went to the King. In the presence of the King, the Mother pleaded with the King to help Banta Seudang to attend school. However, the mother's request was rejected by the King.

“You guys don't know yourself! Dikasih sedepa ask for a little too. Have I not fulfilled all the needs of your daily life!” snarl the King.

How sad the heart of the mother to hear that scene. He also invited Banta back home. Arriving at home, Banta Seudang tried to calm his mother's heart.

“Already, Mom! Mother should not be sad that way. We should be grateful because Pakcik has helped us a lot,” persuaded the Banta.

“Banta! You are my good son. But, you have to go to school like your peers,” said the mother.

Hearing those words, Banta suddenly thought that what his mother said was true. So his mind came to seek an eye cure for his father. If his father can see again, of course, the father can make his own living and can help his school fees.

One day, Banta Seudang conveyed his intentions to his mother.

“Bu, Banta wants to go find eye medicine for Dad to be able to return to work as usual and Banta can go to school,” said Banta Seudang.

“Alright, Son! Mother bless you. Go find some eye medicine for your dad. I wish you good luck,” said the Mother.

The mother also conveyed the meaning of Banta to Banta's father. With pleasure, the father also approved the trip Banta looking for a cure.

The next day, with supplies as necessary, departed Banta Seudang to find a cure. He walked alone through the wilderness, across the river, up the mountains, and down the valleys. After months of walking, he arrived in a forest filled with large trees. In the middle of the forest, he found a hall. He decided to unwind at the hall. While she was laying down her body, her heart suddenly wondered.

why is there a hall in the middle of this forest? Well, there must be people living around here,” he thought inwardly.

Turns right. Towards the time of Ashar, suddenly some white-robed people came to the hall. They then prayed together. With a heart of wondering, Banta just kept quiet while paying attention to the behavior of these people. Moments later, Banta suddenly sees a miraculous event. As soon as he finished praying, the white-robed people suddenly disappeared from his eyes. Apparently, Banta did not know that they were the spirits of the Aulia (Virgin) of God.

After witnessing the event, Banta then thought about approaching his priest when the Guardians performed the prayer.

“If they finish praying, I will immediately hold the hand of the Imam so as not to disappear,” he thought.

Banta Seudang also stayed in the hall waiting for the arrival of the Guardians. When the time of Magrib's prayer arrived, the Guardians came to perform the prayer. Banta Seudang immediately sat beside the priest. As soon as the priest finished praying, he immediately held his hand.

“Hai, Young Man! Why are you holding my hand?” ask the priest.

`Sorry, Sir! I hold Master's hand so as not to disappear,” replied Banta.

“If I may ask, who are these gentlemen really? Why did Gentlemen suddenly appear and just disappear?” ask Banta wonder.

“We are the Aulia of God,” replied the priest.

“Whose own are you? Why can you be in this place?” the priest asked Banta.

“I Banta Seudang, Sir! I was about to find an eye remedy for my Dad,” replied Banta.

`Indeed why is your father's eye?” ask the priest.

“My father's eyes are blind, Sir! I want my Father's eyes to see again,” replied Banta.

“You are a filial son. All right then, you just wait here. A white elephant will come to this hall. Follow the white elephant wherever it goes,” said the Imam and instantly disappeared.

How happy Banta Seudang got a hint from the Guardian. Not long after he waited, suddenly a white elephant came to the hall. After getting a signal from the elephant, Banta immediately went up on the elephant's back. The elephant walked through the wilderness to a valley where there was a river that was very clear water. On the edge of the river there is a large tree inhabited by Jin Pari who has a flying suit. Seeing the arrival of Banta with the white elephant, Jin Pari immediately greeted them.

“Don't be afraid, Young Man! I already know what you're coming here for. You want to find an eye cure for your dad, don't you?” jin Pari asked Banta.

“True, Jin Pari!” reply Banta.

“Alright then. I know how to heal your father's eyes. In the middle of the river, there is a magical flower, its name is bangkawali flower,” said Jin Pari.

Jin Pari also told Banta Seudang that every Friday there are seven daughters of the king from other countries come to the river to bathe. To guard the river, the king of another country commissioned an old woman named Mak Toyo. He lived around the river. Every time the seven princesses finished bathing in the river, Mak Toyo went down to the river to pat the water three times. After that the magical flower of `bangkawali` will appear above the water surface. So, bangkawali flowers can only be seen on every Friday as Mak Toyo slapped the water three times. To get the magical flower it must ask Mak Toyo for help.

One night, Jin Pari and Banta Seudang came to Mak Toyo's residence. Mak Toyo was willing to help to get the bawangkawali, but on one condition.

“Cucuku, if you want to get the bangkawali flower, you have to take it yourself by swimming into the middle of the river,”, Mak Toyo told Banta.

After getting an explanation from Mak Toyo, Jin Pari and Banta also implored themselves. To implement Mak Toyo's terms, Banta had to wait until Friday. So when Friday came, the seven beautiful princesses of the king came in flying clothes and they were about to bathe in the river. After changing their clothes, they went down to the river. They swim while laughing.

When it was late afternoon, the seven princesses of the king finished bathing. They immediately put on their flying clothes and flew into space. Mak Toyo immediately went down to the river and then patted the water three times. After that, the bangkawali flower appeared on the surface of the river water. Banta Seudang immediately plunged into the river. With great difficulty, he swam to the middle of the river to pick up the bangkawali flowers. After getting the bangkawali flower, Banta Seudang swim back to the river bank.

“Mak Toyo! I have got the bangkawali flower. Thank you for the kindness, Mak!” banta Seudang.

“Yes, equally. Immediately bring the magic flower to your Father!” said Mak Toyo.

The next day, Banta Seudang said goodbye to Mak Toyo and Jin Pari. But because knowing that Banta Seudang will be taken very far and takes a long time, then Toyo and Jin Pari agreed to take Banta Seudang. Jin Pari and Banta Seudang fly in a flying suit, while Mak Toyo is waiting for a white elephant. Within a day, they arrived in the land of Banta Seudang. They arrived when it was getting dark. Banta Seudang saw his house was quiet and looked dark.

“Dad, Mother! Banta came home with eye medicine for Dad!” banta Seudang shouted to his parents.

“Yes, come in my son! Mom is busy fixing the oil lamp,” cried the Mother.

Banta Seudang also entered the house with Mak Toyo and Jin Pari.

“Why is it so dark? What's with the oil lamp, ma'am?” ask Banta.

“The lamp is running out of oil. Mom just filled it,” replied the Mother.

A few moments later, the oil lamp was on. The mother immediately hugged Banta Seudang because she had long missed him. Banta Seudang also introduced Mak Toyo and Jin Pari to his parents.

“Bu, this is Mak Toyo and Jin Pari. They are the ones who have helped Banta get eye medicine for Dad,” explained Banta Seudang.

Ibu Banta Seudang did not forget to thank Mak Toyo and Jin Pari who have helped Banta Seudang.

“How are Father and Mother doing during Banta go?” Banta Seudang asked again.

Hearing Banta's question, the mother fell silent for a moment. With a sad face, the mother then told me that during the departure of Banta Seudang, her Uncle never helped them again. Mothers must work hard to meet their needs. How sad and sad Banta Seudang heard the story of the Mother.

“Yes, Son! Your uncle is indeed outrageous and does not know himself. Ever since you left, he never gave us any more food. Had Dad not been blind like this, Dad would have beaten him,” said the Father furiously.

“Patience, Father! Banta brought the eye medicine for Dad,” said Banta calm the heart of the Father.

After being calm, Banta Seudang immediately took a bowl of water, then dipped the bangkawali flowers that he brought into the bowl. After a while, he rubbed the water from the bowl into his father's eyes three times.

“Dad! Try to open your eyes slowly!” the Pinta Banta Seudang.

The father slowly opened his eyes. It was magical, his eyes could see for a moment. How happy the father was to see his son's face.

“Since you were born, only this time can you see your face, My child! I'm so proud of you. Thanks to your efforts and struggles, Father's eyes can look back on how they were,” said the Father while embracing Banta Seudang.

“Should, Dad thanks Mak Toyo and Jin Pari, because they were the ones who helped Banta get the bangkawali flower,” said Banta Seudang.

After thanking Mak Toyo and Jin Pari, the father intends to reclaim his power from the hands of his sister.

“Behold, My child! Actually, Dad is the King of this country. Since Father's eyes were blinded by being hit by a wooden twig while hunting in the forest, the kingdom of Dad handed over to your Uncle. However, when he became King, your Uncle had forgotten himself and dumped us,” said the Father.

How surprised Banta Seudang to hear his father's explanation. He understood that his father was a king. All this time he thought that his uncle was a good king, because he had met the needs of his family. However, it turned out that his uncle was a cunning and greedy king. Knowing the true circumstances, Bangka Seudang also intends to help his father to return the throne of the kingdom to his father. Similarly Mak Toyo and Jin Pari, after hearing the story of Banta Seudang's father, they were ready to help.

The next day, they went to the palace. Banta Seudang's father and mother flew with Jin Pari in a flying suit. While Banta Seudang and Mak Toyo ride white elephants. Arriving at the palace, how surprised the King when he saw the arrival of the Brother with his entourage. Especially after knowing both of her brother's eyes can see back.

“What does Brother mean by arrival here?” ask the King.

“Hai, Sister! You are my brother who does not know. Brother gave the throne to this kingdom for a while, but You instead dumped Brother along with my empress and son for many years. Now is the time for Brother to take back the throne of this kingdom!” exclaim the Brother.

“Ha... ha... ha...! I am the ruler of this country. No one can replace me as King. I have many guards and soldiers. But, if you dare to reclaim this throne, face my guards and soldiers first!” exclaimed the King while laughing out loud haughtily.

Mak Toyo and Jin Pari who were also present at the place were furious at the king's arrogance. Because they know the real problem, then without the command of Banta Seudang's father, they immediately attacked the King. With one blow, the King fell unconscious in front of his throne. The king's guards who saw the event, no one wanted to help the King, because they also knew the real situation.

When he regained consciousness, the King and his family were expelled from the palace. Banta Seudang's father returned to be king in place of his greedy and arrogant sister. Finally, Banta Seudang with his family returned to live in the palace and he was able to attend school. Mak Toyo and Jin Pari were appointed as palace guards.

Moral Message that can be quoted from the story above, namely the virtue of filial nature to parents, the rewards obtained from the likes of hard work and the bad consequences of the nature of not knowing yourself.