It’s said that “Bandung” was derived from the word “Banding” (Sundanese) meaning to be contiguous or to be side by side. This is stated in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia: Balai Pustaka (1994) as well as in Kamus Sunda-Indonesia: Pustaka Setia (1996). Some said “Bandung” was derived from the word “Bandeng” meaning to be wide. In Sundanese, “ngabandeng” means a wide puddle of water. Some other said “Bandung” was derived from the word “Bendung” meaning dam. It’s told that the Citarum Purba River located Padalarang was dammed by lava coming from Mount Tangkuban Parahu Purba. As a result, the area between Padalarang and Cicalengka, and between Mount Tangkuban Parahu Purba and Soreang was flooded and became a large lake which was later called the Bandung Lake or the Bandung Purba Lake. Based on geological research, the flood started to subside gradually in Neolithic Age (± 8000-7000 BC).
It’s told that Mount Tangkuban Parahu (upside down boat) was the reflection of unfulfilled love of a physically strong son, Sangkuriang. It was also narrated that the story of Tangkuban Parahu began long time ago when Sunda was ruled by a king whose daughter was smart and beautiful called Dayang Sumbi. Dayang Sumbi was spoiled and short temper.
Dayang Sumbi unintentionally dropped her ball of twine when she was knitting one day. She was really mad at herself for being careless and said that one who took her the twine would be her sister if she’s a woman and her husband if he’s a man. Surprisingly, a male dog took it. Somehow, the dog was a cursed god sent from above to the earth. Dayang Sumbi had to keep her words and finally married the dog named Tumang.
They, Dayang Sumbi and Tumang, lived together merrily and had a son named Sangkuriang. As he was a son of god, Sangkuriang inherited supernatural power possessed by god.
One day, Dayang Sumbi had Sangkuriang get her deer liver for a ceremony. Soon, Sangkuriang went hunting to a jungle accompanied by his dog which was his father, Tumang. They explored all over the jungle, yet they couldn’t find any deer. Having all day long explored the jungle without anything to bring home, Sangkuriang began to panic. He’s afraid his mother would get mad at him because he couldn’t bring her deer liver. In his hopelessness, Sangkuriang took his arrow, shot Tumang and got his liver. Sangkuriang soon went home with Tumang’s liver on his hand.
Dayang Sumbi, saw him in wonder when he came home without Tumang and asked him where the dog was. Sangkuriang told her that Tumang is killed by a tiger; however, Dayang Sumbi wasn’t all that easy to believe, she kept questioning about Tumang. Finally, Sangkuriang told her the truth. She completely lost her temper just after Sangkuriang told her what he’d done to Tumang that she couldn’t control of herself and hit Sangkuriang’s head with the dipper she was holding. As a result, Sangkuriang ran away from her while she could only cry regretting things were going.
***
Time went by; Sangkuriang grew up and turned into a very good-looking and brave man. One day, he met a really beautiful woman. Sangkuriang didn’t know that the woman was his own mother, Dayang Sumbi, as well as she didn’t that finally Sangkuriang proposed marriage to her. A day just before wedding, Dayang Sumbi just noticed that Sangkuriang was her son. When she combed Sangkuriang’s hair, she found a scar on a part of his head which she hit before Sangkuriang ran away. She was definitely surprised. She told Sangkuriang that she was his own mother and tried to cancel the marriage; howover, Sangkuriang didn’t believe her. Dayang Sumbi finally proposed Sangkuriang a requirement impossible for him to do that she could easily cancel the marriage when Sangkuriang failed to fulfill the requirement. She asked him to make her a lake and a boat which were to be accomplished before the dawn came around. With his supernatural power and being helped by genies, he started doing these two projects. He dammed up the river with logs, stones, and mud. The river got stuck and shaped a big lake. Sangkuriang, then, cut down a big tree and started to make a boat. In the meantime, Dayang Sumbi pled the gods in heaven for the sun rise sooner than ever. Her request was granted that the genies disappeared for the dawn had come around. As a result, Sangkuriang failed in fulfilling the requirement offered by Dayang Sumbi. Sangkuriang got mad at himself, and kicked the undone boat that it became upside down. He dressed down the gods that they got angered and made the earth swallow him. At that moment, Sangkuriang realized that he was wrong.
It’s said that the upside down boat gradually became a mountain which people now call it Mount Tangkuban Parahu (upside down boat).
***
The End
Showing posts with label Literary Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Literary Study. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Garut
The history of Garut was marked by the dispersal of Limbangan County in 1811. Daendles dispersed Limbangan County for the coffee production seriously fell off and the county commissioner refused to plant Indigo. In February 1813, lieutenant governor Raffles issued a decree to reform Limbangan County as well as to make Suci the capital city of it. Somehow, Suci was later considered inappropriate place to be capital city.
The county commissioner, Adipati Adiwijaya (1813 – 1831), finally form a committee to find a more appropriate place to be the capital of Limbangan County. At first, they proposed Cumurah (now it’s well-known as Kampung Pidayeuheun). It’s about 3 km to the east of Suci. However, it’s again considered to be inappropriate place because there could hardly be found freshwater. As the result they had to find another place.
They moved on westward and finally found a really good place to be the capital. It’s about 5 km away from Suci. In addition to having fertile farmland, there was a small lake streaming down to the Cimanuk River. The place laid beyond the mountain range of Mount Cikuray, Mount Papandayan, Mount Guntur, Mount Galunggung, Mount Talaga Bodas, and Mount Karacak.
The small lake was covered by thorny bush (Maranta) that the committee had to clear it. When they were doing so, one of the committee members had his hand scratched by the thorn and bled. A Dutchman who involved in the group saw this and asked, “What’s wrong with your hand?” The man whose hand was scratched said, “kakarut” (Sundanese) meaning to be scratched. The Dutchman tried to say the word kakarut and mispronounced it and he said, “gagarut.” Afterward, people called the bush Ki Garut, the lake Ci Garut as well as the place around Garut.
Adipati Adiwijaya agreed to make Garut the capital of the county. The foundation-stone was officially put on September 15, 1813.
Limbangan County was renamed Garut County by the commissioner RAA Wiratanudatar (1871 – 1915) on July 1, 1913.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Lutung Kasarung
The sovereign felt Purbararang was a far cry from what he had expected to be a monarch. She was arrogant and cruel, while Indrajaya was dandified. He tended to care about his dress and jewelry more than the tranquility and prosperity for people.
Facing that sort of thing, Prabu Tapa Agung often showed pensive sadness. And his queen did as well. They often talked it over, but no way-out could be figured out. However, presumably the king’s worry and confusion had been discovered by Sunan Ambu who resided in heaven called Buana Pada. One night, when he slept, Sunan Ambu said in his dream, “O, the wise king, no need to worry. It’s time for you to leave the throne to your youngest daughter, Purbasari. Do what you want to be hermit.” When he was up, all his worry disappeared. The counseling coming from heaven did relieve him and the queen.
The day after, the sovereign had his seven daughters, his loyal councilman named Uwak Batara Lengser, prime minister, all members of cabinet minister, and other royal eminent figures get gathered. He announced Sunan Ambu’s notice from heaven that it’s time for him to abdicate and leave the throne to Princess Purbasari. All royal members heard the news joyfully, but Purbararang and Indrajaya. They got upset and were up to something to take over the throne from Purbasari.
After Prabu Tapa Agung and his queen left the palace, Purbararang sprayed boreh, black chemical substance taken from plants, on Purbasari’s body and face. As a result, Purbasari looked dark and dull, and people in Pasir Batang couldn’t recognize her anymore. That was why no one could help her when she was sent away from the palace. On the other hand, ones who knew that the dull and dark woman was Purbasari were not brave to help her. They’re afraid of Purbararang who was famous for her cruelness. Even Uwak Batara Lengser couldn’t prevent what Purbararang had been doing. When Purbararang made him take Purbasari to the jungle, he did it. But, having arrived in the jungle, he made her a strong shelter. He also advised her politely, “My princess, be patient! Take the advantage of this ostracism to meditate to wish help and mercies from those who reside in heaven.” His advice relieved her. She agreed to meditate. He promised her that he’d be frequently coming to visit and provide her logistics.
While the Purbasari ostracism was happening on the earth called Buana Panca, something else’s happening in Buana Pada. For days Sunan Ambu had been worried because she hadn’t seen her son, Guruminda. Then she had the heaven dwellers find him. Soon a poet came and reported that Guruminda was by Eden
She questioned him to see what had been going on. But, he didn’t give any answer. Soon she realized what had been happening to her son. She said, “I realize you’re 17. Is there any angel charming you? Let me know who she is, I’ll meet you to her.” Guruminda finally said something, even very slowly. “I don’t want you to meet me any angel, but she’s as beautiful as you are.” She’s surprised by what his son said. She said, “Guruminda, there’s no a girl who looks like me in Buana Pada, she’s on Buana Panca Tengah. Go get her, but not as Guruminda. You have to be lutung[1] in disguise.”
Afterward, Guruminda turned into a lutung. “My son, please go to Buana Panca Tengah, my love will always be with you. Now, your name is Lutung Kasarung.” said Sunan Ambu. Guruminda was so surprised and sad when he became a lutung. He thought he’d been cursed by his mother because of his insolence. He could only bow his head. “Go, my son. The girl is waiting for you and needing your help.” said Sunan Ambu. Then he left Buana Pada. He jumped from one cloud to another till he landed on Buana Panca. He started to find the girl that his mother meant.
*****
In Pasir Batang, Purbararang made Aki panyumpit catch a lutung to be sacrificed in a ceremony. “Aki, you have to catch a lutung this noon; otherwise, you’ll be the sacrifice.” said Purbararang. Being so much worried, Aki Panyumpit hurried to a jungle, yet he couldn’t find any animal. Lutung Kasarung had told all animals in the jungle to hide themselves just before Aki Panyumpit came in.
Realizing he would be sacrificed, Aki Panyumpit sat under a tree in desperate. At that time, Lutung Kasarung showed up that Aki Panyumpit hastily grabbed his sumpit[2] and tried to shoot him. “Don’t hurt me!” said Lutung kasarung. Aki Panyumpit was surprised to see a lutung talking. “Why do you look so sad?” he continued. Aki Panyumpit told Lutung Kasarung what he had been through. “Bring me to your queen, then!” said Lutung Kasarung. Surprisingly, Aki Panyumpit didn’t agree with him. “No, I won’t. I don’t want you to be sacrificed!” he said. Lutung Kasarung hardly tried to convince him. “Don’t worry, get me to the palace!” he said. “Alright, then!” Aki Panyumpit replied. Then, they went to Pasir Batang.
Having arrived in the palace, the soldiers tied Lutung Kasaruung and now were ready to kill him. Purbararang, Indrajaya, and all eminent royal members were there. The five princesses, Purbararang’s sisters were as well. A spiritual leader led the ceremony. He started reciting prayers. At the same time, a soldier with a sharp knife on his hand was ready to execute him. He held Lutung Kasarung’s head. And suddenly, Lutung Kasarung squirmed. Ropes tying him up were slowly broken off, and he freed. Then he messed the ceremony chaotically. The soldiers tried to put him down, but no one could. Everybody screamed in fear. Purbararang lost her temper, and shouted, “Kill him!” Some soldiers surrounded him again. Lutung Kasarung attacked them that they ran away hither and thither.
Uwak Batara Lengser got closer to him, and said, “Come here, lutung. Don’t make everyone frightened!” surprisingly he didn’t react as he did to the soldiers. He sat in front of Uwak Batara Lengser. Purbararang saw the phenomenon from the distance, and then she’s up to something. She thought she would use the wild lutung to kill Purbasari. She told Uwak Batara Lengser to send him to the jungle where Purbarsari was. Uwak Batara Lengser did know what’s on Purbararang’s mind; however, he saw something good in Lutung Kasarung. He didn’t think Lutung Kasarung would hurt Purbasari. That was why he gave him his hand, and guided him to the jungle where she belonged.
Having arrived in the jungle, Lutung Kasarung saw an ugly girl. “That’s Princess Purbasari. She’s a nice girl, you have to take care of her!” said Uwak Batara Lengser. “Yes!” he replied. Uwak Batara Lengser and Purbasari looked at him talking astonishingly. And then Uwak Batara Lengser said “May you’re sent from above to bring the virtue for all of us!”
After Uwak Batara Lengser left, Lutung Kasarung asked the animals in the jungle to collect fruits and flowers for Purbasari. She’s very happy for that. She’s not in solitude anymore. Not only Lutung Kasarung, but also the other animals like birds, squirrel, and deer were around her shelter.
When the night came around, Lutung Kasarung begged his mother’s help that she told magical poets to go to Buana Panca and help her son. Soon they arrived in the jungle. Lutung Kasarung had them make a bathroom for Purbasari. Some poets made a bathroom called Jamban Salaka, place where Purbasari could take a bath. The tap was made from gold, the floor and the wall from marble. The water came from clear wellhead and was retained in a small body of water where flowers were poured on it. Some other poets got dress ready for Purbasari. It was made from cloud and colors from rainbows. No dress was as beautiful as it was on earth.
The day after, Purbasari saw Jamban Salaka and the dress in surprise. “They are gift for you from Buana Pada!” said Lutung Kasarung. “And you, yourself, are gift from Buana Pada to me, Lutung” she replied. Then she came into Jamban Salaka.
The water at Jamban Salaka had a magical power. When she took a bath, she turned back into what she looked like before Purbararang sprayed her boreh. She thanked to heaven for the blessing. Afterward, she wore the dress. She was so much impressed by the beauty of it, and then she came out of Jamban Salaka. Lutung Kasarung was impressed to see her. In his mind, he said, “Princess Purbasari, you so much look like my mother, you’re merely younger!”
*****
Purbararang heard strange news. People who customarily went hunting to the jungle talked much about the jungle that turned into wonderful parkland, about an ugly girl’s shelter that turned into small palace with a beautiful bathroom, and about a scary huge lutung that prevented them coming into the parkland mentioned. Purbararang thought there were some noblemen that helped Purbasari in her ignorance. She said in her mind, “if Purbasari is supposed open huma[3] of 500 fathoms in a day, she won’t make it. There won’t be any noblemen who are brave to help her, while I can easily make my soldiers clear thousands of fathoms. I have to challenge her!”
Purbararang finally sent Uwak Batara Lengser to challenge Purbasari. She had to open huma of 500 fathoms before the dawn; otherwise, she would get death sentence. Purbasari was in tears when she heard from Uwak Batara Lengser. “Don’t worry, my princess! Plesase come into your palace and leave this to me” said Lutung Kasarung.
Afterward, Lutung Kasarung asked his mother’s help. Sunan Ambu sent forty poets to help him clear the landmass which was near by the place where Purbasari was. Meanwhile, Purbararang made a hundred of soldiers clear a landmass in the jungle which was near by the place where Purbasari belonged as well. They had to make it before dawn, or they would get death sentence. Being so much worried, they hurried to the jungle.
The day after, when the sun came up, Purbarang went to the jungle in a large group. She sat on a luxurious litter, while her fiancé, Indrajaya rode a horse. The five princesses, some noblemen hundreds of soldiers and a executioner were in the group. Purbararang was convinced that it would be the last day for her youngest sister, Purbasari. However, she and her group were shocked when they arrived in the huma the soldiers opened. They saw another huma, and even better than the huma the soldiers opened. There stood Uwak Batara Lengser. “My queen, this is Purbasari’s huma!” he said. Purbararng was so much disappointed, embarrassed, upset, and then shouted; “Now I want Purbasari to contest her beauty with me, and you, people, are the judges!” She thought Purbasari was still ugly.
Uwak Batara Lengser asked Purbasari to come out of her small palace, and when she showed up, everyone was dazzled by her bright appearance. “As if I saw Sunan Ambu on earth” said a nobleman. Purbararang didn’t lose her grip. She just realized that she had a slim waist. She shouted, “Everyone, look at this, the belt I’m wearing. I have five holes left. I want Purbasari to wear it, and if she has less then five holes left, she’ll be death sentenced! Purbararang threw her belt to Purbasari, and surprisingly, Purbasari had seven holes left when she wore it. Purbararang got so much embarrassed, but she shouted again, “I have one more contest!” She was now sure she would win, and then she laughed out loud. Everyone looked at her in astonishment. “What contest, sister?” one of her sister asked. Purbararang smiled. “Look! You all have to compare which one of our would-be husbands is the best-looking. Look at my fiancé, Indrajaya! What do you think? Is he handsome? Everyone answered, “He is!” Purbarang was not satisfied, she shouted, “Louder!!!”
“He really is, my queen!” Everyone shouted louder than ever. “So, who is your would-be husband, Purbasari?” Purbararang asked. “Your would-be husband is no one but that lutung!” She continued, than laughed out loud. Purbasari was so silent, she couldn’t give any answer. She stared at Lutung Kasarung. “Yes, you will be my husband, lutung!”
Suddenly, Lutung Kasarung turned back into Guruminda. Everyone was impressed by the way he looked. He held Purbasari’s hand and said, “Listen, everyone! Now I’m Purbasari’s would-be husband, and she is your queen. Purbararang took over the throne from her, and you, Indrajaya, as Purbararang’s would-be husband, you must be at her side. So, let’s fight, Indrajaya!”
Astonishingly, Indrajaya didn’t want to have fight against Guruminda, he got down his knees and begged Guruminda’s mercy, instead. Purbararang cried and begged Purbasari’s forgiveness. She and her fiancé finally gave up.
At that day, Purbasari took back her throne. Purbararang and Indrajaya were punished to be cleaning woman and man. People in Pasir Batang relieved. They were now free from Purbararang’s pressure. They could live as they did in Prabu Tapa Agung’s time.
Being helped by Guruminda, Purbasari ruled the Pasir Batang Kindom. She was very wise, and people got their prosperity.
*****
The End
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