Arung Paria Kingdom was led by a very wise king. He was just and strict in ruling his subjects. Anyone who broke the law would receive punishment proportionate to their crime. Thus, all his subjects were afraid to break any rules. They became lawful citizens because they knew how strict their king was. Arung Paria King had two children, a boy and a girl. Everyone called them the Prince and the…
The sun had just risen on the east. A column of smoke rose to the air at the top of a mountain. That smoke meant that people lived there. On the mountain, the Blackwood trees thrived. Blackwood trees, sometimes were also called Ebony, were unique to Sulawesi. Some of the trees were tall and big, some were shorter with dense foliage. These trees formed a dense forest on the mountain. On the tr…
In Kulisusu Island, there was a vast forest. Many kinds of animals lived there, including monkeys, Sarere birds, cranes, ants, snakes, and worms. These animals were all friends and often talk to each other. The island was surrounded by beautiful sea. The sand on its beach was shimmering white; it was so clean. The air was fresh. The sound of waves crashing on the sand was like music. The waves…
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom on Kaili Land called Bulava Kingdom. Bulava Kingdom was ruled by a just and wise king. The people in the kingdom shared a strong sense of solidarity. They always helped each other and lived peacefully together. Bulava Kingdom was located on a beautiful hill. The scenery was captivating in almost every corner of the kingdom. The beauty of Palu Cove could be…
Besemah was a tribe that lived in the valley of Dempo Mountain, now Pagaralam City, South Sumatera. This area was part of the vast Suwarnabumi Island (now is called Sumatera). The area where Besemah tribe resided was called Besemah Land. The tribe referred to themselves as jeme (the people of) Besemah. The Valley of Dempo Mountain was a highland with cool air, fertile land, and clear rivers. I…
The afternoon was clear. The children in Tampeuyan Village were playing outside. For the past few days, they had been cooped up inside because the rain had kept pouring. A clear afternoon like this was too good an opportunity to miss. Kosim ran as fast as he could, pursuing his friends. He only needed to touch one of them. Playing ‘It’ in the afternoon was a habit of those children. Every…
Once upon a time in Talang Siambul, Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau Province, there lived a man and his wife. They were known as Mr. and Mrs. Sardim. They lived in a village along with other families. Their house was tiny. Its walls were made of tree barks and its roof was of palm leaves. It was built on a stilt, a common practice in the area, so that wild animals would not be able to attack the…
One night, our grandfather told us about a land. The land we know not yet. On the mainland of Sumatra, there was an area surrounded by mountains. It had cool air. When night approached, the area was misty white as if wrapped in cotton. In the morning, the dew-covered leaves looked wet. In a sloping valley the sound of gurgling water was heard from a stream. When exposed to sunlight, the clear w…
A mountain stood tall in the distance. White clouds covered its peak. Anyone who ever stood at the peak of that mountain would feel like they were floating (manglayang) above the clouds. That was why the local people called it Manglayang Mountain. Every people took care of the environment around Manglayang Mountain. They put a taboo on cutting the trees on and around the mountain. They only us…
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Burinaga, reigned a wise and prudent king. Under his leadership the people in the kingdom could enjoy labor and had prosperous, safe, and peaceful life. Unfortunately for the king, his life was incomplete because he had not had a child, a successor for his throne. Many ways to seek the cause and to have a child had been done to no avail. “I wish I can have…