kemaro island story

Kemaro Island is located in the middle of Musi River in Palembang, South Sumatera. "Kemaro" is a word from Palembang which means "kemarau" in Indonesia, or "dry" in English. According to Palembang people, the island is given that name because the island is never getting wet, in other words, this island is always dry although the volume of water in Musi River is getting greater.

 There is a legend from Palembang about Kemaro Island. Once upon a time, the king which was leading in Sriwijaya kingdom had a daughter, who was called Siti Fatimah. She was very beautiful. She fell in love with a trader from Tiongkok, Tan Bun Ann. Both Siti Fatimah and Tan Bun Ann loved each other. One day, Tan Bun Ann wanted to marry Siti Fatimah. Siti Fatimah’s father, the king of Sriwijaya kingdom, offered some requirements for Tan Bun Ann before married with Siti Fatimah. The king asked him to bring 9 bags of gold. Tan Bun Ann’s families agreed with the requirements.

 Tan Bun Ann’s families put the gold in the bag, and they covered it with some vegetables to avoid some pirates at that time, but Tan Bun Ann didn’t know about it. When the King wanted to see the gold, Tan Bun Ann was surprised because he saw the vegetables in the bag instead of the gold. The King was angry and Tan Bun Ann was extremely shy, then he kicked the bag into the river. He jumped into the river afterwards.

 Siti Fatimah was disappointed. She also jumped into the river, but before that she said, “Somedays, there would be a land in the middle of the river, and it would be known as my grave.” Today we can see that what Siti Fatimah  had said becomes true. Many people believe that Kemaro Island is the grave of Siti Fatimah.

Toba Lake Story (North Sumatra)

Once upon a time there was a man living in the area of the present day Danau Toba (Lake Toba). He lived in a simple hut in a farming field, did some gardening and fishing for his daily life. One day he caught a big golden fish in his trap. It was the biggest catch he ever had in his life.
Back home this fish turned into a beautiful princess. He felt in love with her and proposed her to be his wife. She said yes with one condition… the man had to promise not to tell a soul about the secret that she was once a fish, otherwise there would be a huge disaster. The man made the deal and they got married and had a daughter.
Few years later, this daughter would help bringing lunch to her father out in the fields. One day, this daughter was so hungry and she ate his father’s lunch. He found out and got furious, and shouted “You damned daughter of a fish”.
The daughter ran home and asked her mother. The mother started crying, felt sad that her husband had broke his promise. She told her daughter to run up the hills because a huge disaster was about to come. When her daughter left, she prayed. Soon there was a big earthquake followed by non-stop pouring rain. The princess also ran from the house, and each footprint she left became a natural spring. The whole area got flooded and became Lake Toba. The princess turned into a fish again and the man became the island of Samosir (the big island in the middle of Lake Toba).

Malin Kundang Story (west sumatra)

Once upon a time there lived an old woman and her son, Malin Kundang.Malin Kundang's father had passed away.

one day went he was sailing, he saw a merchant ship. the merchant ship was raided by pirates. Malin Kundang was helping the merchant ship from the pirates. after Malin Kundang helping the merchant ship, the merchant offered to join with the merchant.

long time later, Malin Kundang became wealthy. and he got marriage with a beautiful woman. in his journey, his ship was landed in his village.

his mother saw him, and came to him. When the mother came, Malin Kundang, in front of his well dressed wife, his crews and his own gloryness, denied to meet that old, poor and dirty woman. For three times she begged Malin Kundang and for three times yelled at him. At last Malin Kundang said to her "Enough, old woman! I have never had a mother like you, a dirty and ugly peasant!" Then he ordered his crews to set sail.

Enraged, she cursed Malin Kundang that he would turn into a stone if he didn't apologize. Malin Kundang just laughed and set sail.

In the quiet sea, suddenly a thunderstorm came.
 its too late to apologize, and finally Malin Kundang turn into a stone