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BILINGUAL

Bilingual Nusantara Folklores

Riski LestionoRina Wahyu SetyaningrumNina InayatiDyah Ayuningtyas Yayang Rinastalia Madika

Compiled by:

Bilingual Nusantara Folklores 135 pages

Copyright ©Riski Lestiono et al, 2016

Setting & Lay-outGianina Gemilang Ghaysanie

Table of Contents

Foreword ....................................................................................... viPreface ............................................................................................ xBahasa Version

Banta Barensyah (Aceh)............................................................... 2Timun Mas (Jawa Tengah)....................................................... 10Batu Menangis (Kalimantan Barat ........................................... 15Rambun Pamenan (Sumatera Barat) ...................................... 19Asal Usul Nama Buleleng dan Singaraja (Bali)........................ 27Ande-Ande Lumut (Jawa Timur)............................................... 30Lutung Kasarung (Jawa Barat) )............................................... 36Asal Usul Putri Duyung (Sulawesi Tengah) .............................. 45Batu Keramat (Papua) .............................................................. 50Roro Jonggrang (Yogyakarta) ................................................... 55Putri Mandalika (Nusa Tenggara Barat) .................................... 60Untung Suropati (DKI Jakarta) .................................................. 64Kyai Ageng Gribig Jatinom (Malang) ........................................ 69Candi Singosari (Malang) ......................................................... 71Wendit (Malang) ...................................................................... 73Candi Songgoriti (Batu) ........................................................... 75Mbah Batu (Batu) .................................................................... 77

English VersionBanta Barensyah (Aceh)........................................................... 80Timun Mas (Central Java)......................................................... 85The Crying Stone (West Kalimantan)........................................ 89Rambun Pamenan (West Sumatera)........................................ 92The Origin of the Names of Buleleng and Singaraja (Bali)........ 97Ande-Ande Lumut (East Java).................................................. 99Lutung Kasarung (West Java)................................................... 103The Origin of Mermaid (Central Sulawesi) ............................... 108Holy Stone (Papua) ................................................................... 112Roro Jonggrang (Yogyakarta) ................................................... 115Putri Mandalika (Nusa Tenggara Barat) .................................... 118Untung Suropati (DKI Jakarta) .................................................. 112Kyai Ageng Gribig Jatinom (Malang) ........................................ 124Candi Singosari (Malang) ......................................................... 126Wendit (Malang) ...................................................................... 128Candi Songgoriti (Batu) ........................................................... 130Mbah Batu (Batu) .................................................................... 132

References ...................................................................................... 134

The launching of the book “Bilingual Nusantara Folklores” has been gladly

awaited among public, especially English and Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign

Speaker teaching practitioners. Since the writing of this folklore book was planned

through a research scheme, I, as a reviewer, have been much attracted in this topic.

There are a great number of story books published and sold on the book store

shelves; however, folklore-based books for teaching, especially Nusantara

Folklores, originated from research, are still limited in numbers.

As the Director of APPBIPA (Affiliation of Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speaker

Teachers and Practitioners) East Java Chapter, I am highly appreciating and

motivating the launching of this sort of book, as this book supports the teaching of

Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers as well as English at schools. As a

researcher on Indonesian cultures, I declare that I now get what is really needed to

preserve Indonesian cultures, to be specific local cultures. Indonesia is a multi-

cultural country, rich of culture varieties to explore. One of its cultural assets is

folklore. Folklore constitutes one of the embodiments of local wisdoms, containing

cultural values of societies.

Local wisdoms represent cultural values of society, and incorporate the

complexity of the upheld norms and behaviors developed into “belief”. Local

wisdoms, in daily bases, are found in songs, proverbs, sasanti (praise laudation),

advices, slogan, literatures, and ancient scripts attached to the daily lives of

societies. Revitalization of local wisdoms in responding to the environment is in the

form of strengthening local initiative-based societies. This launched book is part of

the aforementioned revitalization in the form of compiled materials for teaching

purposes.

Local wisdoms, in essence, are reflected through the concerns on human

relations and nature. It is of urgency that local wisdoms be integrated into a number of

social and cultural movements. By struggling for those movements, people are more

concerned to tackle various issues in education field. The local potential

development is made happen by: (a) the development of cultural and educational

institutions through the optimization of trainings on introducing local wisdom/local

initiative-based characters; b) the development of cultural and educational

institutions through continuous trainings on management and control of local

wisdom/local initiative-based character educations; and (c) academically, the human

Foreword

vi

resource development of designers and researchers across disciplines is required to

solve character education-related problems by utilizing local wisdom/local initiative-

based approach.

From educational perspectives, to be specific in the teaching of English and

Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers, this “Bilingual Nusantara Folklore” book is

not static, but dynamic. By that it means creativity, innovation, and initiatives of

teachers are essential. This book is simply a medium to be accompanied by fun

teaching so as to make this book more meaningful. It is true that this book supports

literacy on how to sharpen verbal skills as well as learners' intelligence. It is urgent to

offer education that helps develop the skills of verbal communication and self-

confidence. In addition, the skills of listening and reading will also facilitate learners to

have strong memory and apply the memorized information.

By means of folklores, the ability to activate mnemonic devices is sharpened.

Habits implanted via local folklores and tales grow well-built and critical imaginations,

equipping learners with future creativity life-skills. Teaching how to be self-assured

communicators and effective listeners is also equipping learners with future critical

thinking life-skills.

Finally, I congratulate the writers of this “Bilingual Nusantara Folklores” book for

the book launching. I am positive this book contributes to intellectual education and

Indonesia.

Dr. Drs. Arif Budi Wurianto, M.Si.

Director of APPBIPA East Java Chapter

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Folklores have always been interesting to read. They are facilitating readers to

preserve local cultures as folklores are strongly attached to local wisdoms. Local

wisdoms are rich of moral values to inherit from one to another generation. However,

the tendency of local wisdoms to be eroded along the changing eras, globalization

and modernization, is to be countered by the urge of preserving those values to be

continuously taught. One of the efforts is bringing local folklores to more various

forms of publication both nationwide and worldwide, via books.

It is of urgency to wrap local wisdoms embodied in local folklores into an

appealing formulation, so as to be easily accessed by wider readers. This published

book “Bilingual Nusantara Folklores” is designed to meet the need of various

readers. The term “bilingual” is represented by two languages, Bahasa and English

versions. It is in hope that the target readers of this book are not only Indonesians but

foreigners speaking English (learning Bahasa) as well.

The folklores covered in this book are all originating from various areas in

Indonesia. 80% of the folklores are referred as Nusantara folklores, representing a

number of Islands in Indonesia. Those range from Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi,

Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, to Papua. The other 20% folklores are derived from

Malang Raya and Batu, East Java (The location where the writers reside). This

suggests that future writers are encouraged to compose a lot more folklore-based

books bringing more locally-rooted folklores from their regions.

This book “Bilingual Nusantara Folklores” is intended to various readers, to

name: students learning English (in primary, secondary, and tertiary education

levels), foreigners learning Bahasa, culture practitioners and researchers, story-

tellers, and many others. Not only does this book promote local cultures of Indonesia,

but this book offers more joyful and imaginative reading.

Malang, August 2016

The Writers

Preface

viii

Bahasa Version

1

Banta Berensyah

(Aceh)

Alkisah, di sebuah dusun terpencil di daerah Nanggro Aceh Darussalam, hiduplah seorang janda bersama seorang anak laki-lakinya yang bernama Banta Berensyah. Banta Berensyah seorang anak yang rajin dan mahir bermain suling. Kedua ibu dan anak itu

tinggal di sebuah gubuk bambu yang beratapkan ilalang dan beralaskan dedaunan kering dengan kondisi hampir roboh. Kala hujan turun, air dengan leluasa masuk ke dalamnya. Bangunan gubuk itu benar-benar tidak layak huni lagi. Namun apa hendak dibuat, jangankan biaya untuk memperbaiki gubuk itu, untuk makan sehari-hari pun mereka kesulitan.

Untuk bertahan hidup, ibu dan anak itu menampi sekam di sebuah kincir padi milik saudaranya yang bernama Jakub. Jakub adalah saudagar kaya di dusun itu. Namun, ia terkenal sangat kikir, loba, dan tamak. Segala perbuatannya selalu diperhitungkan untuk mendapatkan keuntungan sendiri. Terkadang ia hanya mengupahi ibu Banta Berensyah dengan segenggam atau dua genggam beras. Beras itu hanya cukup dimakan sehari oleh janda itu bersama anaknya.

Pada suatu hari, janda itu berangkat sendirian ke tempat kincir padi tanpa ditemani Banta Berensyah, karena sedang sakit. Betapa kecewanya ia saat tiba di tempat itu. Tak seorang pun yang menumbuk padi. Dengan begitu, tentu ia tidak dapat menampi sekam dan memperoleh upah beras. Dengan perasaan kecewa dan sedih, perempuan paruh baya itu kembali ke gubuknya. Setibanya di gubuk, ia langsung menghampiri anak semata wayangnya yang sedang terbaring lemas. Wajah anak itu tampak pucat dan tubuhnya menggigil, karena sejak pagi perutnya belum terisi sedikit pun makanan.

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“Ibu...! Banta lapar,” rengek Banta Berensyah.Janda itu hanya terdiam sambil menatap lembut anaknya.

Sebenarnya, hati kecilnya teriris-iris mendengar rengekan putranya itu. Namun, ia tidak bisa berbuat apa-apa, karena tidak ada sama sekali makanan yang tersisa. Hanya ada segelas air putih yang berada di samping anaknya. Dengan perlahan, ia meraih gelas itu dan mengulurkannya ke mulut Banta Berensyah. Seteguk demi seteguk Banta Berensyah meminum air dari gelas itu sebagai pengganti makanan untuk menghilangkan rasa laparnya. Setelah meminum air itu, Banta merasa tubuhnya sedikit mendapat tambahan tenaga. Dengan penuh kasih sayang, ia menatap wajah ibunya. Lalu, perlahan-lahan ia bangkit dari tidurnya seraya mengusap air mata bening yang keluar dari kelopak mata ibunya.

“Kenapa ibu menangis?” tanya Banta dengan suara pelan.Mulut perempuan paruh baya itu belum bisa berucap apa-apa.

Dengan mata berkaca-kaca, ia hanya menghela nafas panjang. Banta pun menatap lebih dalam ke arah mata ibunya. Sebenarnya, ia mengerti alasan kenapa ibunya menangis.

“Bu! Banta tahu mengapa Ibu meneteskan air mata. Ibu menangis karena sedih tidak memperoleh upah hari ini,” ungkap Banta.

“Sudahlah, Bu! Banta tahu, Ibu sudah berusaha keras mencari nafkah agar kita bisa makan. Barangkali nasib baik belum berpihak kepada kita,” bujuknya.

Mendengar ucapan Banta Berensyah, perempuan paruh baya itu tersentak. Ia tidak pernah mengira sebelumnya jika anak semata wayangnya, yang selama ini dianggapnya masih kecil itu, ternyata pikirannya sudah cukup dewasa. Dengan perasaan bahagia, ia merangkul tubuh putranya sambil meneteskan air mata. Perasaan bahagia itu seolah-olah telah menghapus segala kepedihan dan kelelahan batin yang selama ini membebani hidupnya.

“Banta, Anakku! Ibu bangga sekali mempunyai anak sepertimu. Ibu sangat sayang kepadamu, Anakku,” ucap Ibu Banta dengan perasaan haru.

Kasih sayang dan perhatian ibunya itu benar-benar memberi semangat baru kepada Banta Berensyah. Tubuhnya yang lemas, tiba-tiba kembali bertenaga. Ia kemudian menatap wajah ibunya yang tampak pucat. Ia sadar bahwa saat ini ibunya pasti sedang lapar. Oleh karena itu, ia meminta izin kepada ibunya hendak pergi ke rumah pamannya, Jakub, untuk meminta beras. Namun, ibunya

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mencegahnya, karena ia telah memahami perangai saudaranya yang kikir itu.

“Jangan, Anakku! Bukankah kamu tahu sendiri kalau pamanmu itu sangat perhitungan. Ia tentu tidak akan memberimu beras sebelum kamu bekerja,” ujar Ibu Banta.

“Banta mengerti, Bu! Tapi, apa salahnya jika kita mencobanya dulu. Barangkali paman akan merasa iba melihat keadaan kita,” kata Banta Berensyah.

Berkali-kali ibunya mencegahnya, namun Banta Berensyah tetap bersikeras ingin pergi ke rumah pamannya. Akhirnya, perempuan yang telah melahirkannya itu pun memberi izin. Maka berangkatlah Banta Berensyah ke rumah pamannya. Saat ia masuk ke pekarangan rumah, t iba-t iba terdengar suara keras membentaknya. Suara itu tak lain adalah suara pamannya.

“Hai, anak orang miskin! Jangan mengemis di sini!” hardik saudagar kaya itu.

“Paman, kasihanilah kami! Berikanlah kami segenggam beras, kami lapar!” iba Banta Berensyah.

“Ah, persetan dengan keadaanmu itu. Kalian lapar atau mati sekalian pun, aku tidak perduli!” saudagar itu kembali menghardiknya dengan kata-kata yang lebih kasar lagi.

Betapa kecewa dan sakitnya hati Banta Berensyah. Bukannya beras yang diperoleh dari pamannya, melainkan cacian dan makian. Ia pun pulang ke rumahnya dengan perasaan sedih dan kesal. Tak terasa, air matanya menetes membasahi kedua pipinya.

Dalam perjalanan pulang, Banta Berensyah mendengar kabar dari seorang warga bahwa raja di sebuah negeri yang letaknya tidak berapa jauh dari dusunnya akan mengadakan sayembara. Raja negeri itu mempunyai seorang putri yang cantik jelita nan rupawan. Ia bagaikan bidadari yang menghimpun semua pesona lahir dan batin. Kulitnya sangat halus, putih, dan bersih. Saking putihnya, kulit putri itu seolah-olah tembus pandang. Jika ia menelan makanan, seolah-olah makanan itu tampak lewat ditenggorokannya. Itulah sebabnya ia diberi nama Putri Terus Mata. Setiap pemuda yang melihat kecan t i kannya pas t i akan te rge l i t i k has ra tnya un tuk mempersuntingnya. Sudah banyak pangeran yang datang meminangnya, namun belum satu pun pinangan yang diterima. Putri Terus Mata akan menerima lamaran bagi siapa saja yang sanggup mencarikannya pakaian yang terbuat dari emas dan suasa.

Mendengar kabar itu, Banta Berensyah timbul keinginannya

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untuk mengandu untung. Ia berharap dengan menikah dengan sang Putri, hidupnya akan menjadi lebih baik. Siapa tahu ia bernasib baik, pikirnya. Ia pun bergegas pulang ke gubuknya untuk menemui ibunya. Setibanya di gubuk, ia langsung duduk di dekat ibunya. Sambil mendekatkan wajahnya yang sedikit pucat karena lapar, Banta Berensyah menyampaikan perihal hasratnya mengikuti sayembara tersebut kepada ibunya. Ia berusaha membujuk ibunya agar keinginannya dikabulkan.

“Bu! Banta sangat sayang dan ingin terus hidup di samping ibu. Ibu telah berusaha memberikan yang terbaik untuk Banta. Kini Banta hampir beranjak dewasa. Saatnya Banta harus bekerja keras memberikan yang terbaik untuk Ibu. Jika Ibu merestui niat tulus ini, izinkanlah Banta merantau untuk mengubah nasib hidup kita!” pinta Banta Berensyah.

Perempuan paruh baya itu tak mampu lagi menyembunyikan kekagumannya kepada anak semata wayangnya itu. Ia pun memeluk erat Banta dengan penuh kasih sayang.

“Banta, Anakku! Kamu adalah anak yang berbakti kepada orangtua. Jika itu sudah menjadi tekadmu, Ibu mengizinkanmu walaupun dengan berat hati harus berpisah denganmu,” kata perempuan paruh baya itu.

“Tapi, bagaimana kamu bisa merantau ke negeri lain, Anakku? Apa bekalmu di perjalanan nanti? Jangankan untuk ongkos kapal dan bekal, untuk makan sehari-hari pun kita tidak punya,” tambahnya.

“Ibu tidak perlu memikirkan masalah itu. Cukup doa dan restu Ibu menyertai Banta,” kata Banta Berensyah.

Setelah mendapat restu dari ibunya, Banta Berensyah pun pergi ke sebuah tempat yang sepi untuk memohon petunjuk kepada Tuhan Yang Mahakuasa. Setelah semalam suntuk berdoa dengan penuh khusyuk, akhirnya ia pun mendapat petunjuk agar membawa sehelai daun talas dan suling miliknya ke perantauan. Daun talas itu akan ia gunakan untuk mengarungi laut luas menuju ke tempat yang akan ditujunya. Sedangkan suling itu akan ia gunakan untuk menghibur para tukang tenun untuk membayar biaya kain emas dan suasa yang dia perlukan.

Keesokan harinya, usai berpamitan kepada ibunya, Banta Berensyah pun pergi ke rumah pamannya, Jakub. Ia bermaksud meminta tumpangan di kapal pamannya yang akan berlayar ke negeri lain. Setibanya di sana, ia kembali dibentak oleh pamannya.

“Ada apa lagi kamu kemari, hai anak malas!” seru sang Paman.

5

“Paman! Bolehkah Ananda ikut berlayar sampai ke tengah laut?” pinta Banta Berensyah.

Jakub tersentak mendengar permintaan aneh dari Banta Berensyah. Ia berpikir bahwa kemanakannya itu akan bunuh diri di tengah laut. Dengan senang hati, ia pun mengizinkannya. Ia merasa hidupnya akan aman jika anak itu telah mati, karena tidak akan lagi datang meminta-minta kepadanya. Akhirnya, Banta Berensyah pun ikut berlayar bersama pamannya. Begitu kapal yang mereka tumpangi tiba di tengah-tengah samudra, Banta meminta kepada pamannya agar menurunkannya dari kapal.

“Paman! Perjalanan Nanda bersama Paman cukup sampai di sini. Tolong turunkan Nanda dari kapal ini!” pinta Banta Betensyah.

Saudagar kaya itu pun segera memerintahkan anak buahnya untuk menurunkan Banta ke laut. Namun sebelum diturunkan, Banta mengeluarkan lipatan daun talas yang diselempitkan di balik pakaiannya. Kemudian ia membuka lipatan daun talas itu seraya duduk bersila di atasnya. Melihat kelakuan Banta itu, Jakub menertawainya.

“Ha... ha... ha...! Dasar anak bodoh!” hardik saudagar kaya itu.“Pengawal! Turunkan anak ini dari kapal! Biarkan saja dia mati

dimakan ikan besar!” serunya.Namun, betapa terkejutnya saudagar kaya itu dan para anak

buahnya setelah menurunkan Banta Berensyah ke laut. Ternyata, sehelai daun talas itu mampu menahan tubuh Banta Berensyah di atas air. Dengan bantuan angin, daun talas itu membawa Banta menuju ke arah barat, sedangkan pamannya berlayar menuju ke arah utara.

Setelah berhari-hari terombang- ambing di atas daun talas dihempas gelombang s a mudra, Banta Berensyah tiba di sebuah pulau. Saat pertama kali menginjakkan kaki di pulau itu, ia terkagum-kagum menyaksikan pemandangan yang sangat indah dan memesona. Hampir di setiap halaman rumah penduduk terbentang kain tenunan dengan berbagai moti f dan warna sedang di jemur. Rupanya, hampir seluruh penduduk di

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pulau itu adalah tukang tenun. Banta pun mampir ke salah satu rumah penduduk untuk

menanyakan kain emas dan suasa yang sedang dicarinya. Namun, penghuni rumah itu tidak memiliki jenis kain tersebut. Ia pun pindah ke rumah tukang tenun di sebelahnya, dan ternyata si pemilik rumah itu juga tidak memilikinya. Berhari-hari ia berkeliling kampung dan memasuki rumah penduduk satu persatu, namun kain yang dicarinya belum juga ia temukan. Tinggal satu rumah lagi yang belum ia masuki, yaitu rumah kepala kampung yang juga tukang tenun.

“Tok... Tok... Tok.. ! Permisi, Tuan!” seru Banta Berensyah setelah mengetuk pintu rumah kepala kampung itu.

Beberapa saat kemudian, seorang laki-laki paruh baya membuka pintu dan mempersilahkannya masuk ke dalam rumah.

“Ada yang bisa kubantu, Anak Muda?” tanya kampung itu bertanya.

Setelah memperkenalkan diri dan menceritakan asal-usulnya, Banta pun menyampaikan maksud kedatangannya.

“Maaf, Tuan! Kedatangan saya kemari ingin mencari kain tenun yang terbuat dari emas dan suasa. Jika Tuan memilikinya, bolehkah saya membelinya?” pinta Banta Berensyah.

Kepala kampung itu tersentak kaget mendengar permintaan Banta, apalagi setelah melihat penampilan Banta yang sangat sederhana itu.

“Hai, Banta! Dengan apa kamu bisa membayar kain emas dan suasa itu? Apakah kamu mempunyai uang yang cukup untuk membayarnya?”

“Maaf, Tuan! Saya memang tidak mampu membayarnya dengan uang. Tapi, j ika Tuan berkenan, bolehkah saya membayarnya dengan lagu?” pinta Banta Berensyah seraya mengeluarkan sulingnya.

Melihat keteguhan hati Banta Berensyah hendak memiliki kain tenun tersebut, kepala kampung itu kembali bertanya kepadanya.

“Banta! Kalau boleh saya tahu, kenapa kamu sangat menginginkan kain itu?”

Banta pun menceritakan alasannya sehingga ia harus berjuang untuk mendapatkan kain tersebut. Karena iba mendengar cerita Banta, akhirnya kepala kampung itu memenuhi permintaannya. Dengan keahliannya, Banta pun memainkan sulingnya dengan lagu-lagu yang merdu. Kepala kampung itu benar-benar terbuai menikmati senandung lagu yang dibawakan Banta. Setelah puas menikmatinya,

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ia pun memberikan kain emas dan suasa miliknya kepada Banta. “Kamu sangat mahir bermain suling, Banta! Kamu pantas

mendapatkan kain emas dan suasa ini,” ujar kepala kampung itu.“Terima kasih, Tuan! Banta sangat berhutang budi kepada

Tuan. Banta akan selalu mengingat semua kebaikan hati Tuan,” kata Banta.

Setelah mendapatkan kain emas dan suasa tersebut, Banta pun meninggalkan pulau itu. Ia berlayar mengarungi lautan luas menuju ke kampung halamannya dengan menggunakan daun talas saktinya. Hati anak muda itu sangat gembira. Ia tidak sabar lagi ingin menyampaikan berita gembira itu kepada ibunya dan segera mempersembahkan kain emas dan suasa itu kepada Putri Terus Mata.

Namun, nasib malang menimpa Banta. Ketika sampai di tengah laut, ia bertemu dan ikut dengan kapal Jakub yang baru saja pulang berlayar dari negeri lain. Saat ia berada di atas kapal itu, kain emas dan suasa yang diperolehnya dengan susah payah dirampas oleh Jakub. Setelah kainnya dirampas, ia dibuang ke laut. Dengan perasaan bangga, Jakub membawa pulang kain tersebut untuk mempersunting Putri Terus Mata.

Sementara itu, Banta yang hanyut terbawa arus gelombang laut terdampar di sebuah pantai dan ditemukan oleh sepasang suami-istri yang sedang mencari kerang. Sepasang suami-istri itu pun membawanya pulang dan mengangkatnya sebagai anak. Setelah beberapa lama tinggal bersama kedua orang tua angkatnya tersebut, Banta pun memohon diri untuk kembali ke kampung halamannya menemui ibunya dengan menggunakan daun talas saktinya. Setiba di gubuknya, ia pun disambut oleh ibunya dengan perasaan suka-c i t a . Kemudian, Banta pun menceritakan semua kejadian yan g telah dialaminya.

“Maafkan Banta, Bu! Sebenarnya Banta telah berhasil mendapatkan kain emas dan

suasa i tu , te tapi Paman Jakub merampasnya,” Banta bercer i ta

kepada ibunya dengan perasaan kecewa.

“Sudahlah, Anakku! Ibu mengerti perasaanmu.

Barangkali belum nasibmu mempersunting putri raja,”

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ujar Ibunya.“Tapi, Bu! Banta harus mendapatkan kembali kain emas dan

suasa itu dari Paman. Kain itu milik Banta,” kata Banta dengan tekad keras.

“Semuanya sudah terlambat, Anakku!” sahut ibunya.“Apa maksud Ibu berkata begitu?” tanya Banta penasaran. “Ketahuilah, Anakku! Pamanmu memang sungguh beruntung.

Saat ini, pesta perkawinannya dengan putri raja sedang dilangsungkan di istana,” ungkap ibunya.

Tanpa berpikir panjang, Banta segera berpamitan kepada ibunya lalu bergegas menuju ke tempat pesta itu dilaksanakan. Namun, setibanya di kerumunan pesta yang berlangsung meriah itu, Banta tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa. Ia tidak mempunyai bukti untuk menunjukkan kepada raja dan sang Putri bahwa kain emas dan suasa yang dipersembahkan Jakub itu adalah miliknya. Sejenak, ia menengadahkan kedua tangannya berdoa meminta pertolongan kepada Tuhan Yang Mahakuasa. Begitu ia selesai berdoa, tiba-tiba datanglah seekor burung elang terbang berputar-putar di atas keramaian pesta sambil berbunyi.

“Klik.. klik... klik... kain emas dan suasa itu milik Banta Berensyah...!!! Klik... klik.. klik... kain emas dan suasa itu milik Banta Berensyah...!!!” demikian bunyi elang itu berulang-ulang.

Mendengar bunyi elang itu, seisi istana menjadi gempar. Suasana pesta yang meriah itu seketika menjadi hening. Bunyi elang itu pun semakin jelas terdengar. Akhirnya, Raja dan Putri Terus Mata menyadari bahwa Jakub adalah orang serakah yang telah merampas milik orang lain. Sementara itu Jakub yang sedang di pelaminan mulai gelisah dan wajahnya pucat. Karena tidak tahan lagi menahan rasa malu dan takut mendapat hukuman dari Raja, Jakub melarikan diri melalui jendela. Namun, saat akan meloncat, kakinya tersandung di jendela sehingga ia pun jatuh tersungkur ke tanah hingga tewas seketika.

Setelah peristiwa itu, Banta Berensyah pun dinikahkan dengan Putri Terus Mata. Pesta pernikahan mereka dilangsungkan selama tujuh hari tujuh malam dengan sangat meriah. Tidak berapa lama setelah mereka menikah, Raja yang merasa dirinya sudah tua menyerahkan jabatannya kepada Banta Berensyah. Banta Berensyah pun mengajak ibunya untuk tinggal bersamanya di istana. Akhirnya, mereka pun hidup berbahagia bersama seluruh keluarga istana.

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English Version

79

Banta Berensyah

(Aceh)

Once, in a remote village in Nanggroe Aceh

Darussalam, there lived a widow and her son

named Banta Berensyah. Banta Berensyah was

a hardworker and a good flute player. Banta and

his mother lived in a modest cogon grass-roofed

and dry leaves-floored bamboo hut which

looked wretched. When the rain fell, rain water

flooded the hut. To tell the truth, the hut was

uninhabitable. But there was not much they could do about it. They were too poor

even to feed themselves, never mind fixing the hut.

For survival, Banta and her mother winnowed husk of rice at the rice mill owned

by their wealthy relative, Jakub. Jakub is a wealthiest merchant in the village.

However, he was very stingy, greedy and selfish. He is a calculating kind of person

who always tried to benefit from everything he did. Often, Jakub paid Banta and his

mother only a handful of rice. It only fed them for a day.

One day, Banta's mother went to the rice mill alone because Banta was unwell.

To her disappointment, there was nobody pounding rice that day. That meant that

she could not winnow rice husk and there will be no rice for her and her son. She

returned home in despair and sadness. She approached her son as soon as she

arrived home. Banta lay weak, his face was pale and he shivered having not eaten

anything all day.

“Mother … I am hungry,” said Banta.

His mother sat motionless looking gently at Banta. She felt the most pain in her

heart to see her son starving. But again, there was nothing much she could do about

it. They had no food at all, only a glass of water. She grabbed the glass and gently

gave it to Banta to drink. Banta sipped it to ease his hunger. After drinking it, Banta

felt like he got some energy to get up from his bed. He wiped his mother's tears.

“Why are you crying, mother?” asked Banta gently.

The old woman's mouth was sealed. Her eyes misted over and she could only

sigh. Banta stared deeper at his mother. He knew exactly why her mother cried.

“Mother, I know why you are crying. You did not get any rice today,” said Banta.

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“Mother, I know you work very hard to feed us. It's just .. perhaps today luck was

not on our side,” Banta added.

Banta's mother could hardly believe to what Banta said. She just realized that

her only son was growing mature. She hugged him and cried in happiness. She felt

a bit relieved to know that her son could understand their poor condition.

“Banta, my son, I am so proud of you. I love you so much, dear,” said Banta's

mother emotionally.

His mother's affection and care gave a new spirit for Banta. His weak body was

re-energized all of a sudden. He looked again at his mother's pale face. He knew

that she was starving. Therefore, he intended to go to Jakub's house to ask for some

rice. His mother prevented him however. She knew exactly how stingy Jakub was.

“Don't do that, son. You know he is a stingy man. He won't give you rice unless

you work for him,” said Banta's mother.

“I know, mother. But I think we should give a try. Perhaps he will pity us,” Banta

insisted.

The harder her mother prevented him, the more strongly Banta insisted on going

to his uncle's house. Her mother let him go eventually. Jakub yelled at Banta when

he just arrived at the house yard.

“Hey, pauper. Beggars are not allowed here!” rebuked the wealthy merchant.

“Uncle, have compassion for us. Please give us some rice, we haven't eaten all

day,” begged Banta.

“I don't care! It's not my business either you are alive or dead!” Jakub rebuked

Banta with rude words.

Banta felt sad and offended. Instead of rice, he got scorned by his uncle. He

walked home sadly. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.

On his way home, he could not help overhearing the news about a king from

neighboring country who held a competition. The king had a beautiful daughter. Her

skin was so white, soft and smooth that as if people could see through her. That was

why she was called Putri Terus Mata, the transparent princess. Every young man

who saw her beauty would surely want to marry her. Many princes had come to

propose her, but none was accepted. Putri Terus Mata would only accept the

proposal of someone who could get her a dress made of gold and pinchbeck.

Banta was so excited about the competition. He hoped to marry the princess and

make his life better. He wished fortune would be with him. He rushed home to inform

her mother about his intention in taking part in the competition. He pleaded her

mother to give permission.

“Mother, you know how much I love you and that I want to spend the rest of my

life with you by my side. You have given the best to me. Now I am a grown-up, it's

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high time I worked to give you my best. I am going abroad to find a better living for

us. All I am asking is your blessing, mother,” asked Banta.

The old woman could not hide her pride to her only son. She hugged Banta

affectionalety.

“Banta, my son, you are such a good son. If you mean it, I will let you go,” said

Banta's mother.

“But, how will you go abroad? What will you carry for your journey? We have no

money to pay the ship and get some food for you,” she added.

“Don't worry about that, mother. Your blessing is the only thing that matters,”

Banta answered.

Banta then went to a quiet place to ask God for guidance. In his prayer, he got a

clue that told him to bring a piece of taro leaf and a flute in his journey. The taro leaf

was supposed to be used to sail across the sea to his destination. As for the flute, he

would use it to entertain the weavers as the payment for the gold-pinchbeck cloth he

needed.

Next day, Banta took leave for Jakub's house. He intended to sail abroad with his

uncle. As usual, he got scolded again.

“What do you want now, lazybones?” his uncle shouted.

“Uncle, please allow me to sail along with you to the high seas,” asked Banta.

Jakub was surprised to hear Banta's unusual request. He thought that his

nephew wanted to commit a suicide in the middle of the ocean. So he gladly

welcomed Banta aboard. He believed that his life would be much more comfortable

if Banta died, because there would be nobody ever beg him for food. There they

were, Banta sailed along with Jakub and his men. As the ship reached

the middle of the ocean, Banta asked Jakub to drop him down the ship.

“Uncle, I guess this is the end of our journey. Please

drop me down the ship,” asked Banta.

The stingy merchant ordered his men to drop

Banta to the sea. Before Jakub's men

did it, Banta took out the taro leaf he kept

inside his suit. He unfolded it and then sat on

it. Jakub laughed to see what he did.

“Ha... ha… ha…! You fool!” Jakub

scolded.

“Guards! Drop this kid from the ship.

Let him die eaten by shark!” he ordered.

To their surprise, the taro leaf floated

Banta on the ocean. The wind pushed it

and took Banta westwards, while

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Jakub's ship went northwards.

After days floating on the ocean, Banta arrived in an island. When he first set foot

in the island, he was amazed by the scenic view. Colorful woven clothes of various

motifs spread in almost all people's house yard. Apparently, everyone in the island

was weaver.

Banta stopped by at a house to ask about the gold-pinchbeck cloth he was

looking for. Unfortunetaly, the host did not know anything about that kind of cloth. So

he moved to the next house but he got the same answer. He wandered around the

kampong for days but he still did not find the cloth. There was one house left, it

belonged to the kampong chief, who was also a weaver.

(Knock! Knock!) “Excuse me, sir,” said Banta to the chief.

“How can I help you, young man?” replied the chief.

Then Banta introduced himself and explained the intention of his coming.

“Sir, I've come along the way here to find a woven cloth made of gold and

pinchbeck. If you have it, would you sell it to me?” asked Banta.

The chief was surprised to her Banta's request moreover when he stared at

Banta's look.

“How will you pay for the cloth? Do you have the money with you?”

“Forgive me, sir. I am indeed incapable of paying it with money. But, if you don't

mind, I will pay it with songs,” asked Banta while taking out his flute.

Looking at his determination on having the cloth, the chief questioned Banta

again.

“Banta, do you mind telling me why you want that cloth?”

Banta then told the reason why he struggled for the cloth. The chief was so

touched by Banta's story that he finally granted his wish. With his expertise, Banta

played beautiful songs with his flute. The chief swayed with the songs. After

enjoyin g the songs, the chief gave the cloth to Banta.

“ Yo u are indeed a very good flute player, Banta. You deserve this

clot h,” said the chief.

“My gratitude, sir. I am beholden to you. I will never

forget your kindness, sir,” said Banta.

After getting the cloth, Banta left the island.

He sailed back home with his taro

leaf. He was overjoyed. He

could not wait to tell the good

news to his mother and to present

the cloth to Putri Terus Mata.

However, bad fortune befell

him. When he arrived in the

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middle of the ocean he met Jakub's ship and he decided to join their sailing. That

was when Jakub arrogated the cloth. After that, Banta was thrown away to the

ocean. Jakub then took home the cloth in pride. He wanted to use it to propose Putri

Terus Mata later on.

Banta, meanwhile, was drifted ashore and found by husband and wife who were

looking for cockle shells. The couple took Banta home and adopted him. After living

with them for quite awhile, Banta took leave to his hometown with his magical taro

leaf. Arriving at his hut, he was welcomed by his mother in joy. Then Banta told

everything he had while he was away.

“Forgive me mother, I did not bring the golden cloth, Uncle Jakub took it away

from me,” Banta told his mother in disappointment.

“Let it go, son. I understand your feeling. Perhaps it is not your fate to marry the

princess,” his mother answered.

“But, mother … I have to take it back. The cloth is mine,” said Banta, showing his

determination.

“It's too late, son,” his mother replied.

“What do you mean, mother?” asked Banta, curious.

“Listen, son. The royal castle is now holding the wedding between the princess

and your uncle,” said his mother.

Banta rushed to the castle immediately. It was a merry crowd and there was

nothing he could do to tell everyone that the golden cloth was his. He had no

evidence to prove it. For a moment, he lifted his hands upward asking for help to

God. As soon as he finished praying, an eagle flew around above the crowd and

making sounds as if telling something.

“Klik … klik … klik … the golden cloth belongs to Banta Berensyah ! Klik … klik …

klik … the golden cloth belongs to Banta Berensyah !” the eagle kept saying it again

and again.

The people were surprised to hear it. They became quiet. The sound of the eagle

became clearer. The king and the princess then realized that Jakub was a greedy

merchant who had taken away the golden cloth from Banta. Jakub's face turned

pale white and he began to panic. He could not bear his embarassement and he

was too afraid to the king's punishment. He escaped through the window. But when

he prepared himself to jump, he stumbled and fell to the ground and died.

Finally, Banta Berensyah married to Putri Terus Mata. The wedding lasted

merrily for seven days and nights. Soon afterwards, the king retreated and he was

replaced by Banta Berensyah. Banta then took his mother to live with him in the

castle. They lived happily ever after.

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References

134

MAM RU YS

This book, “Bilingual Nusantara Folklores” has been an icon of local culture

preservation. Since local wisdoms knotted in local cultures are prone to be eroded along the changing eras, an effort to bring back and preserve them should be the penultimate concern, before implementing those values in real basis. Folklores have been the media to incarnate those local wisdoms, and thus this book is worth referring to when it comes to the topic of folklores.

All folklores covered in this book are originating from Indonesia, as the name suggests, “Nusantara”, served in bilingual versions – Bahasa and English. Some popular titles are here to read: Timun Mas, Ande-Ande Lumut, Lutung Kasarung, Putri Mandalika, and others in a long list. Besides, Malang Raya and Batu folklores are also parts of this book: Singosari Temple, Songgoroti Temple, Mbah Batu, and some others to introduce to broader readers – kids, students, adults, story-tellers, culture practitioners and researchers, and other reading addicts.

Simply put, reading for pleasure is here, Dear Readers.