Sungai Tolang is a jorong, a village, in Minangkabau. Beyond jorong is nagari, the district. Jorong Sungai Tolang is a part of Nagari Tareh in Limopuluah Kuto Regency, West Sumatera Province. The native people of Limopuluah Kuto Regency belong to a cultural group called Minangkabau. Minangkabau people are proud that they are ‘people with culture’ and that their land is ‘a land of culture…
Haruku Village was a peaceful and happy village. The people lived in harmony with each other. When a villager had a misfortune, the others would immediately help him. Haruku Village also had an abundance of natural resources. The forest and the sea provided everything that the people needed. Most of Haruku people earned a living by farming. They usually cleared a little piece of land in the for…
The birds chirped happily, welcoming the sun. The breeze swayed the yellowing paddy stalks on the field. Water flowed from the spring in the mountains, following every bend of the rivers. That was how it was in the beautiful land of Sunda, a land surrounded by mountains. In the land of Sunda, with its cool air and beautiful mountainous scenery, there was a kingdom called Galuh Kingdom. It was …
Thousands of years ago, Bangka Island was mesmerizingly beautiful. On its fertile land, myriad kinds of trees and plants thrived, creating a lush green scenery as far as one could see. Fair white sand adorned its beaches, clear blue water filled its seas. Looking at the calm sea, one would always find tranquility. The sound of crashing waves was a beautiful song in the quiet island. Its beaut…
Once upon a time, there lived a boy in Sangkan Gunung Village. He was called I Tundung. When he was six, his father passed away. Since then, he lived only with his mother who loved him very much. Wherever she went, I Tundung was always there. They were inseparable. After he lost his father, I Tundung grew up under his mother’s compassionate care. One day, his mother took I Tundung to the mar…
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…