Folklore is an inherent part of the Indonesian culture. It helps to explain a common thread that binds different religions, people from different ethnic origins, and backgrounds. It helps give reason to the breathtaking landscapes. It helps to give understanding to the question “why?”.
The legend of Sangkuriang may have dubious themes running through it when viewed with Western values, but it gives Indonesians a sense of belonging to the land. So let me tell you a little tale:
The legend of Sangkuriang may have dubious themes running through it when viewed with Western values, but it gives Indonesians a sense of belonging to the land. So let me tell you a little tale:
A princess called Dayang Sumbi refused all offers of marriage and by her own choice lived in isolation on a remote, inaccessible hill with only her dog, Tumang, for company. One day, while she was weaving, a reel fell out of the window, and Dayang Sumbi vowed to marry the person who returned it to her. Her dog ran out of the room, and returned with the reel. Good to her word Dayang Sambi married Tumang, and they bore a son called Sangkuriang.
One day, Dayang Sumbi asked her son to go out hunting and bring her the heart of a deer. Tumang went with him. Since there was no game, Sangkuriang, not wanting to disappoint his mother, killed Tumang and brought his heart back. Dayang Sumbi threw her son out and told him never to return.
After years of travelling, Sangkuriang became a bitter man, but he met a woman and fell in love, not recognising her as his mother. She did not recognise him either until many years later, when she found a scar on his head and realised it was her son. Sangkuriang asked Danyang Sumbi to marry him. She did not want to disappoint him, so set a challenge to try to discourage him. She told him she would marry him if he could create a lake by damming up the Citarum River and build her a boat in one night.
From a big tree Sangkuriang built a boat. The remains of the tree became Bukit Tanggul (Hill of the Log). The branches of the tree were stacked and became Burangrang Mountain. With the help of demons the lake was built.
With her son’s success presenting a real danger, Dayang Sumbi prayed to Sang Hyang Tunggal, the God of all Gods, to bring an early break of dawn.
When Sangkuriang found out he had been tricked he broke the dam in anger. He threw the log he used to stop the Citaram River to the east, which turned into Gunung Manglayang. The water of the lake receded. He kicked the boat to the north, which became Tangkuban Parahu Mountain. His mother fled, and is believed to have been turned into a flower.
One day, Dayang Sumbi asked her son to go out hunting and bring her the heart of a deer. Tumang went with him. Since there was no game, Sangkuriang, not wanting to disappoint his mother, killed Tumang and brought his heart back. Dayang Sumbi threw her son out and told him never to return.
After years of travelling, Sangkuriang became a bitter man, but he met a woman and fell in love, not recognising her as his mother. She did not recognise him either until many years later, when she found a scar on his head and realised it was her son. Sangkuriang asked Danyang Sumbi to marry him. She did not want to disappoint him, so set a challenge to try to discourage him. She told him she would marry him if he could create a lake by damming up the Citarum River and build her a boat in one night.
From a big tree Sangkuriang built a boat. The remains of the tree became Bukit Tanggul (Hill of the Log). The branches of the tree were stacked and became Burangrang Mountain. With the help of demons the lake was built.
With her son’s success presenting a real danger, Dayang Sumbi prayed to Sang Hyang Tunggal, the God of all Gods, to bring an early break of dawn.
When Sangkuriang found out he had been tricked he broke the dam in anger. He threw the log he used to stop the Citaram River to the east, which turned into Gunung Manglayang. The water of the lake receded. He kicked the boat to the north, which became Tangkuban Parahu Mountain. His mother fled, and is believed to have been turned into a flower.
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