The Most Popular Collection Of Nusantara Folklore In History.

The Most Popular Collection Of Nusantara Folklore In History.
sangkuriang story



Legend: West Java


In ancient times, in West Java lived a king's daughter named Dayang Sumbi. He had a son named Sangkuriang. The boy loved to hunt in the forest. Every hunting, he was always accompanied by a dog named Tumang. Tumang is actually a drop of a god, and also Sangkuriang's biological father, but Sangkuriang did not know that and his mother deliberately kept it a secret.


One day, as usual Sangkuriang went to the forest to hunt. After arriving in the forest, Sangkuriang began to look for the quarry. He saw a bird perched on a branch, then without thinking Sangkuriang shot him, and hit the target. Sangkuriang then ordered Tumang to pursue his hunt earlier, but the Tumang was silent and did not want to follow Sangkuriang's orders. Because it was very irritated at Tumang, Sangkuriang then expelled Tumang and was not allowed to go home with him again.


Arriving at home, Sangkuriang recounted the incident to his mother. Upon hearing the story from his son, Dayang Sumbi was very angry. He took a spoon of rice, and smashed it into Sangkuriang's head. Disillusioned by his mother's treatment, Sangkuriang decided to go wandering, and left his home.


After the incident, Dayang Sumbi deeply regretted his actions. He prayed every day, and asked that one day he could meet his son again. Because of the earnestness of the Dayang Sumbi prayer, the God gave him a gift of eternal beauty and youth forever.


Dayang Sumbi was very confused, because he could not marry his own son. After Sangkuriang returned to hunting, Dayang Sumbi tried to speak to Sangkuriang, so that Sangkuriang canceled their wedding plans. Dayang Sumbi's request was not approved by Sangkuriang, and only considered the wind.


Every day Dayang Sumbi think how to make their marriage never happen. After thinking hard, Dayang Sumbi finally found the best way. He submitted two conditions to Sangkuriang. If Sangkuriang can meet both conditions, then Dayang Sumbi will be made a wife, but otherwise if it fails then the marriage will be canceled. The first condition of Dayang Sumbi wants the Citarum river dammed. And the second is, ask Sangkuriang to make a very large canoe to cross the river. Both conditions must be resolved before dawn breaks.


Sangkuriang responded to both Dayang Sumbi's requests, and promised to complete them before dawn broke. With the power he had, Sangkuriang then mobilized his friends from the jinn to help complete the task. Secretly, Dayang Sumbi peeked at the work of Sangkuriang. How surprised he was, because Sangkuriang almost finished advertising all the conditions given by Dayang Sumbi before dawn.


Dayang Sumbi then asked for help from the surrounding community to roll out a red silk cloth to the east of the city. When he saw the red color in the east of the city, Sangkuriang thought that it was already early morning. Sangkuriang immediately stopped his work and felt unable to qualify that had been proposed by Dayang Sumbi.


With annoyance and disappointment, Sangkuriang then broke into the dam he had made himself. Because of the dam's collapse, there was a flood and the whole city was submerged in water. Sangkuriang also kicked the big sampan he had made. The sampan floated and fell face down, then became a mountain called Tangkuban Perahu.