the legend of tanduk alam

7/27/2019 The Legend of Tanduk Alam

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THE LEGEND OF TANDUK ALAM

Central Sulawesi Indonesia

Amongst the local inhabitants of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, TandukAlam is known as a prominent Islamic scholar who was originally from

Palembang, South Sumatra, but most of his time was spent in the

Land of Banggai, Central Sulawesi.

There was a time the king of Banggai asked for help from him to

release the royal Princess who was kidnapped by the Tobelo troops in

the island of Sagu. Would he successfully release the Princess from

the Tobelo people? Here is the story!

Long time ago in Palembang, South Sumatra, a place where is

assumed of being the central administrative government ofSriwijaya

Empire, there was a prominent Islamic scholar named Hasan Tanduk

Alam. He once sailed across the sea, leaving Palembang for the Land

of Banggai in Central Sulawesi, in terms of establishing economic link

and disseminating the Islamic teachings there. However, the voyage

was stopped in the Land of Sea-Sea before arriving at Banggai.

In the early years of settling in Sea-Sea, Tanduk Alam earned his

living from serving as a gold miner as well as a goldsmith. While

grappling with gold mining and bullion matter, he spent most of the

time to spread the Islamic teachings to the local inhabitants living in

Sea-Sea. For that reason, he was famous as either a goldsmith or an

Islamic ulema.

For such popularity, the name Tanduk Alam then was known by the

royal family ofBanggai Kingdom. Banggai Kingdom, at that time, was

headed by a king named Adi Cokro. To run the monarch government,

King Adi Cokro got assisted by four basalo (ministers).

One day, the royal family of Banggai Kingdom got panic following the

missing of the royal Princess. At a moments notice, the king

summoned all the royal troops to seek for the Princess. Unfortunately,

all the efforts ended in failure. The only thing they knew that the

Princess was kidnapped by the Tobelo troops settling in the island of
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Sagu. In addition, the Tobelo troops were the minions of King Ternate

who was eager to occupy the Kingdom of Banggai.

Knowing the fact, King Adi Cokro convened the four basalo for a

meeting.O My basalo, sure you have known the current situation in our

kingdom! Therefore I summoned you to gather in this room. I want

you all to make an attack to Sagu Island to release my daughter. But

you have to notice, do not hurt the commoners. Defeat the rebellions

and take my daughter back!

All the four basalo then moved to the island of Sagu. With some royal

troops, the sailed across the sea leading to Sagu Island with hope to

find the Princess and get her back. Unfortunately, their effort was a

mere failure since the number of Tobelo royal troop was bigger than

the Banggais. Luckily the four basalo were alive; hence they could

get back to the kingdom to report the result.

Pardon us, the Majesty! We have failed to bring the Princess back.

The Tobelo royal troops were greater in quantities than ours, so we

didnt want to take the worse risk if we kept moving forward, a

basalo reported to the king.

The king woke up from the throne and walked back and forth. It

appeared that the king was thinking the solution for such. Then all of

sudden, a basalo interrupted, How about discussing the problem with

Tanduk Alam, the Majesty? I heard a lot about him. And most of our

people know about his magical and talismanic power?

If so, get him to be here! the king responded to the basalo.

Alright, the Majesty!

Te four basalo then went to the Land of Sea-Sea. In this occasion,

they wished they could meet Tanduk Alam for delivering the kings

order. They met at Tanduk ALams house. Some small talks happened

as the four basalo sent the kings order. Tanduk Alam and the four

basalo then moved to the palace, and met the king.

The Majesty, Ive been here to meet your order, Tanduk Alam said.

OoTanduk Alam, sure you have known about the recent situation

in our kingdom. My daughter was seized by the Tobelo troops upon

order from the King Ternate,


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Yes, I have known about it, the Majesty. Are you sure that the

Tobelo troops grab her to the island of Sagu?

Yes, she is now with the Tobelo in the island of Sagu. Now, I beg

your help to release my daughter,With all of my heart, the Majesty, I will do the things I can do to

serve the kingdom. But I have a request, the Majesty,

What is it, Tanduk Alam? Tell me! the king asked.

Do not send a number of royal troops to accompany me in releasing

the Princess. I just want to avoid the fall of victims for this mission,

Tanduk Alams remarks.

Alright if that so, but let me order the four basalo to accompany

you,

In the following day, Tanduk Alam and the four basalo sailed across

the sea, moving forwards to the island of Sagu. While sailing, they

discussed the strategy to release the Princess.

Just hold yourself still while I am releasing the Princess. Do not make

any crowd when we reach the island, Tanduk Alam said to the four

basalo.

But how will we enter the island? Almost all the areas have been

under guarded by a number of Tobelo troops, indeed, a basalo

asked.

So let me go there alone, and you just stay here! Tanduk Alam

replied.

Thats so much dangerous for you!

Nope! With the help of Allah, I am sure I would be able to release

the Princess,

In the mid of a night, they reached the island. Tanduk Alam then

moved closer to the island. He tiptoed towards the island then sit with

the legs crossed, praying to God. Suddenly, Tanduk Alam was gone

miraculously. He was invisible at the time; thus could enter the Tobelo

troops barrack in safe.

The four basalo just waited and saw from the ship, keeping an eye

just in case there would be a sudden attack from the Tobelo troops.

Tanduk Alam alone had been in front of the prison where the Princess

was. All the Tobelo troops were sleeping as well as the Princess.


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Gently he opened the door of a room where the Princess was. He

moved to the Princess, and the Princess was awakened, shocked.

Who are you?! the Princess asked at a moments notice.

Im here to save you, just keep silent or they will be awakened!Tanduk Alam said.

Is that true?

Yes, it is. King Adi Cokro is your father, isnt he? He asked me to

release you,

But, how do we escape away from this place?

Now, just follow my order. Sit down and close your eyes! Were

going to escape away in safe. I promise! Tanduk Alam ordered the

Princess and recited some prayers to make them invisible.

Suddenly, they had been in the ship. The four basalo were shocked to

know Tanduk Alam had been in the ship, along with the Princess in

safe.

Come on! We have to sail back to the kingdom, now! Tanduk Alam

ordered the four basalo.

Alright! Lets move!

When the sun was going to rise, Tanduk Alam, the Princess, and the

four basalo had arrived at the kingdoms harbour. They were

welcomed by the local inhabitants who missed their Princess who was

known as wise, smiling, and very open to the commoners.

They went to the palace and were welcomed by the king.

Thank you so much for helping me, Tanduk Alam. Is there any thing

you want from me, Tanduk Alam? The king thanked Tanduk Alam.

If you dont mind, let me have a land here. I would like to use it as

the Sago and Durian plantations. I wish that would be beneficial not

only for me, but also for all the people here, Tanduk Alam delivered

his wish.

If that so, I would order the royal troops to open a new land for you,

tomorrow, the king said.

A land nearby the royal palace of Banggai Kingdom was bestowed

upon Tanduk Alam by King Adi Cokro. That was the return from the

king to him upon the help he had made to the kingdom.


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The land was then functioned as a sago and durian plantations by

Tanduk Alam. Several years later, he had his first harvest time. His

economic welfare got improved, but he still endeavoured in spreading

the Islamic teachings.The local people followed Tanduk Alam. They deliberately opened

some new lands to plant it with durian or sago. With guide from

Tanduk Alam on how to plant durian and sago, the local people could

also empower their economic welfare. While teaching the local

inhabitants to manage durian or sago plantation, Tanduk Alam also

taught them the Islamic teachings. Consequently, a number of the

Banggai people turned to Islam; hence now Islam is the most widely

embraced religion in Central Sulawesi, especially in Sea-Sea and Tano

Bonunungan.

And here is the story about Tanduk Alam and his effort in

disseminating the Islamic teachings in Banggai, Central Sulawesi. To

commemorate his merit, the local people buried his deceased body

precisely in the back of the royal palace of Banggai Kingdom.

The above story is categorized a legend with some moral messages

that can be derived. One the messages delivered through the story is

that kindness will be rewarded with the unpredictably greater

kindness. This is seen from the figure of Tanduk Alam. As he was a

figure who kept conducting good deeds to all people, he got no

problem in releasing the Princess of Banggai Kingdom. As well, he

served the entire his life for disseminating Islam; thus his life got ease

too. This is almost the same as what the Tunjuk Ajar Melayu (Effendy:

2006) says through a pantun below:

Wahai ananda dengarlah manat

Tulus dan ikhlas jadikan azimat

Berkorban menolong sesama umat

Semoga hidupmu beroleh rahmat

Wahai ananda dengarlah pesan

Tulus dan ikhlas jadikan pakaian

Rela dan taba dalam berkorban

Supaa hidupmu diberkahi Tuhan.

the legend of tanduk alam

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