Folklore for Kids: Legend of Ciung Wanara: Sundanese Folktale for Kids

Long, long ago, on the beautiful island of Java, there lived a king who ruled a mighty kingdom called Sunda Galuh. Its capital stood where the town of Ciamis, West Java, stands today. In those days, the kingdom stretched from Hujung Kulon in the west all the way to Hujung Galuh in the east, near the mouth of the Brantas River by present-day Surabaya. This is the story of how that great kingdom came to be divided — and of a brave boy named Ciung Wanara, who found his way home again.

Chapter 1: The Wise King and His Secret Plan

Once upon a time, the Kingdom of Galuh was ruled by a wise and gentle king named Prabu Permana Di Kusumah. He had two queens who lived with him in the palace: the kind Dewi Naganingrum and the clever Dewi Pangrenyep.

The king had ruled for many, many years, and his heart began to long for peace and quiet. He wished to leave the busy palace and become a hermit, living simply among the trees and mountains. But a kingdom cannot be left without a ruler, so the king called for his most trusted minister.

King Permana: "Aria Kebonan, come here. I want to talk to you."

Aria Kebonan: "Yes, Your Honor. I am listening."

King Permana: "Listen carefully. I wish to go into the forest and meditate for a while. While I am away, I will make you king of Galuh — but only if you promise to rule wisely, and to take gentle care of my two queens."

Aria Kebonan: "I promise, Your Honor. I will care for the kingdom and the queens as if they were my own."

King Permana: "Good. There is one more thing. I will use my magic to change your face, so that you look like a different man entirely — young and handsome. From today, you shall be known as Prabu Barma Wijaya. Tell the people that their old king has simply grown young again. I will slip away quietly to my secret hiding place."

And so it was done. The minister Aria Kebonan became, in appearance, a brand-new king named Prabu Barma Wijaya. The palace servants and the people of Galuh believed every word — except for one old and faithful servant named Uwa Batara Lengser, who alone knew the secret, for he had overheard the king's true plan.

Chapter 2: A King Turns Cruel

At first, everything seemed well. But power can change a person's heart, and slowly, Prabu Barma Wijaya grew proud and arrogant. He ruled however he pleased, ignoring good advice, and he often mocked poor old Uwa Batara Lengser, who could do nothing but watch sadly.

Worst of all, he began to treat the two queens with great unkindness — though in front of the people, he still pretended they were his loving wives, smiling and bowing as if nothing were wrong.

Chapter 3: The Strange Dream

One quiet night, both queens had the very same dream: they dreamed that the moon fell gently down from the sky and rested upon them. When they woke, they hurried to tell the king.

Dewi Naganingrum: "Your Majesty, I must tell you of my dream. I saw the moon fall from the heavens and come to rest upon me!"

Dewi Pangrenyep: "And I dreamed the very same thing, my king!"

Now, everyone knew that such a dream was a sign that a woman would soon become a mother. But Prabu Barma Wijaya was frightened, for he had never truly been a husband to either queen. How could such a thing be possible?

He called for Uwa Batara Lengser to help him understand.

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "Uwa Batara, I need your wisdom. Both queens dreamed that the moon fell upon them — a sign of motherhood, they say. But I have never touched either of them! What am I to do?"

Uwa Batara Lengser: "Your Majesty, there is a powerful hermit living deep in the forest named Ajar Sukaresi. He understands the meaning of dreams and signs. Perhaps we should ask for his wisdom."

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "Very well. Send for this hermit at once."

Chapter 4: The Hermit's Terrible Fate

Uwa Batara Lengser journeyed into the forest to find the hermit — though little did anyone know, this hermit was none other than the true King Permana Di Kusumah himself, hidden behind a different face, just as he had once hidden Aria Kebonan behind the face of a king.

When the hermit arrived at the palace, Prabu Barma Wijaya asked him at once about the strange dream.

Ajar Sukaresi: "Your Majesty, both queens are indeed expecting children."

Prabu Barma Wijaya's face turned dark with rage, for he knew this could not be true — not through him, at least.

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "Tell me then — are these children sons, or daughters?"

Ajar Sukaresi: "Both are sons, Your Honor."

Blinded by fury and fear, the false king drew his kris — his royal dagger — and struck at the old hermit. But the blade only bent uselessly against him, as if some hidden magic protected the old man.

Ajar Sukaresi: "Why does the King wish to kill me? If it is my death you want, then so be it — I am ready to go."

And with those quiet words, the hermit fell to the ground and breathed no more. Cruelly, Prabu Barma Wijaya ordered the body thrown deep into the forest. But something magical happened there among the trees: the hermit's body transformed into an enormous dragon, who came to be known as Nagawiru, guardian of the wild woods.

Chapter 5: Two Babies Are Born

Just as the dream had foretold, both queens soon found themselves expecting children. Some time later, Dewi Pangrenyep gave birth first, to a healthy baby boy whom she named Hariang Banga.

One day, as the false king visited Dewi Naganingrum, who was close to giving birth herself, something astonishing happened. The unborn baby spoke from within her!

The Unborn Baby: "Hear me, Barma Wijaya. You have broken many promises. The more cruelty you commit, the shorter your reign shall be."

Terrified by this warning, the false king resolved to rid himself of Dewi Naganingrum and her child before the baby could ever be born. He turned to Dewi Pangrenyep for help.

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "Dewi Pangrenyep, I need your help. We must be rid of Dewi Naganingrum and her baby, once and for all."

Dewi Pangrenyep: "Very well, my king. I will help you."

In her heart, Dewi Pangrenyep agreed for her own reasons too — she did not want the royal throne to one day pass to another queen's son instead of her own beloved Hariang Banga.

Chapter 6: A Baby Sent Down the River

Soon after, Dewi Naganingrum's time came, and Dewi Pangrenyep hurried to her side to help with the birth, as if she were a caring friend. Dewi Naganingrum gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy — every bit as handsome as his older half-brother.

But while no one was watching, Dewi Pangrenyep secretly switched the newborn baby for a little puppy. She hid the real baby safely in a woven basket, placed a single chicken egg beside the puppy to complete her wicked trick, and set the basket adrift upon the river's flowing water.

When Prabu Barma Wijaya was told that Dewi Naganingrum had given birth to a puppy, he pretended to be shocked and horrified. He declared it a curse from the gods and ordered that poor Dewi Naganingrum be put to death.

The task fell to gentle Uwa Batara Lengser, who could never bring himself to harm the innocent queen. Instead, he led her deep into the forest and built her a small, cozy hut to live in.

Uwa Batara Lengser: "Forgive me, my Queen. I was ordered to end your life, but I could never do such a thing. This little house is the best I can offer you for now. I promise I will come to visit you whenever I can."

Alone in her forest hut, Dewi Naganingrum never lost hope. She was certain, deep in her heart, that she had given birth to a beautiful baby boy — not a puppy at all — and she dreamed of the day she might hold her son again.

Meanwhile, Uwa Batara Lengser returned to the palace and — to protect the queen's secret — dipped his blade in the blood of a hunted animal, so that it would look as though he had carried out his terrible task.

Chapter 7: Found by the River

Far away, in the village of Geger Sunten on the banks of the Citanduy River, there lived a kind old fisherman and his wife. Every day, they placed bamboo fish traps in the river to catch their supper.

One morning, they went to check their traps and were astonished to find a woven basket caught among them. Carefully, they opened it — and inside lay an adorable baby boy.

The Old Fisherman: "Just look at this little one! So handsome, and dressed so finely — surely this child comes from the royal palace!"

The kind old couple, whom the boy would come to call Aki and Nini, brought the baby home and raised him with all the love in their hearts, as if he were their very own son.

As the years passed, Aki and Nini quietly asked around about the mysterious circumstances of Dewi Naganingrum's lost child, and slowly, they began to suspect the truth: their beloved boy might be the very son of the King of Galuh himself.

The baby grew into a clever, brave, and good-hearted young man. Because Aki and Nini had first noticed a monkey (wanara) and a small bird (ciung) near the spot where they found him, they named their son Ciung Wanara.

Chapter 8: Ciung Wanara Leaves Home

When Ciung Wanara had grown into a fine young man, a great longing stirred in his heart — he wished to travel to the capital of the Kingdom of Galuh and see the wider world. At first, Aki and Nini were reluctant to let him go, but Ciung Wanara's determination could not be swayed.

Ciung Wanara: "Father, Mother, I have been so happy living here with you in the forest. But there is something calling me — I feel I must go to the capital of Galuh."

Aki: "We love you more than anything, my son. If this is truly your wish, we will not stand in your way. I only hope that, in Galuh, you may find your true parents at last."

Ciung Wanara: "My true parents? Please, Father — who are they?"

Aki: "Your father is the King of Galuh himself, Ciung. And your mother — I am told she lives far away, in exile, somewhere deep in the forest. Go to the capital, and perhaps you will learn more."

Ciung Wanara: "Thank you, Father, Mother. But no matter what I discover, know that in my heart, you will always be my true parents."

With those words, Ciung Wanara set off toward the capital of Galuh, bringing along his most prized companion — a magnificent fighting rooster he had raised and trained himself.

Chapter 9: The Great Cockfight

When Ciung Wanara arrived in the royal city, he crossed paths with two royal ministers, Purawesi and Puragading. The two men were immediately impressed by the fine rooster he carried and challenged him to a friendly match right there in the city square. Ciung Wanara accepted — and to everyone's delight, his rooster won easily.

News of the victory spread like wildfire through the kingdom, until it reached the ears of the king himself. In Galuh, cockfighting was the grandest sport of all, loved by nobles and commoners alike. The king owned a fearsome champion rooster named Si Jeling, and he had made a standing promise: whoever could defeat Si Jeling in a match would be granted any wish they desired.

Ciung Wanara was summoned to the palace to meet the king face to face.

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "Hello there, young man! Tell me your name, and where you have come from."

Ciung Wanara: "Your Majesty, my name is Ciung Wanara, son of Aki and Nini Balangantrang of the village of Geger Sunten."

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "And what brings you to my palace today?"

Ciung Wanara: "Your Majesty, I have a most unusual rooster. My mother, it is said, was expecting a child for a full year before giving birth — and stranger still, before it could hatch, an egg was swept away down the river. I have brought my rooster in hopes of a fair match."

At these words, the false king's heart froze, for he remembered Dewi Naganingrum's long-ago pregnancy all too well. Watching nearby, Dewi Pangrenyep suddenly suspected that the young stranger before them might be the very son she had cast into the river so long ago — and she felt a chill of fear and vengeance stir within her.

Prabu Barma Wijaya: "So — you wish to match your rooster against mine? Very well. What shall we wager?"

Ciung Wanara: "If my rooster loses, Your Majesty, I will gladly give up my own life. But if your rooster loses instead, I ask that half of the Kingdom of Galuh be given to me."

Certain that his champion rooster Si Jeling could never lose, the king agreed at once to these bold terms.

Chapter 10: The Kingdom Divided

The whole court gathered in the palace yard to watch the legendary match. At first, Ciung Wanara's rooster seemed tired and overwhelmed against the mighty Si Jeling. But suddenly, as if filled with new strength, the little rooster fought back with astonishing power — and before long, the king's champion lay defeated.

Ciung Wanara had won!

True to his word, the king honored the wager. The western half of the Kingdom of Galuh was granted to Ciung Wanara, while the eastern half remained under Hariang Banga's rule, and each young man was given the noble title of Prabu — Prince and King.

Chapter 11: The Truth Comes to Light

Not long after, faithful old Uwa Batara Lengser could keep the secret no longer. He came to Ciung Wanara and told him everything — how Prabu Barma Wijaya had ordered a newborn baby washed away down the river, and how the queen mother had been falsely accused of giving birth to a dog and cast out into exile.

At last, every hidden crime of Prabu Barma Wijaya and Dewi Pangrenyep was revealed to the whole kingdom. Uwa Batara Lengser also shared the most joyful news of all: Ciung Wanara's true mother, Dewi Naganingrum, was alive and well, still waiting patiently in her little forest hut.

Overjoyed beyond words, Ciung Wanara rushed at once to bring his birth mother home in honor — and just as lovingly, he brought his beloved adoptive parents, Aki and Nini, to live with him in the palace as well.

Once he understood the full extent of the wrongs done to his mother and himself, Prabu Ciung Wanara gathered his soldiers and had Prabu Barma Wijaya and Dewi Pangrenyep captured and imprisoned within the palace walls.

Chapter 12: The Battle of the Brothers

When Hariang Banga learned that his own mother, Dewi Pangrenyep, had been captured and imprisoned, he was heartbroken and furious. He gathered a great army and marched against his younger half-brother, determined to set his mother free.

The two brothers, both mighty warriors, clashed fiercely upon the battlefield. Ciung Wanara slowly pushed Hariang Banga's forces back to the banks of the Brebes River, yet neither brother could claim final victory — for both were equally skilled and equally brave.

Suddenly, in the midst of the battle, an astonishing sight appeared: King Permana Di Kusumah himself, walking beside Queen Dewi Naganingrum and faithful Uwa Batara Lengser.

King Permana: "Hariang Banga! Ciung Wanara! Stop this battle at once! It is forbidden — pamali — for brothers to fight one another. You are both my sons, and you are both destined to rule wisely: Ciung Wanara here in Galuh, and Hariang Banga in a new kingdom to the east of this very river. Let this river mark the boundary between your two lands from this day forward. I now rename it — no longer the Brebes River, but the Pamali River — so that all who hear its name will remember that brothers must never raise arms against each other. As for Dewi Pangrenyep and Barma Wijaya, let them remain imprisoned, for their sins were great."

And so it was. To this day, that river is known as Cipamali in Sundanese, or Kali Pemali in Javanese — both names meaning "the Forbidden River."

Chapter 13: Two Kingdoms, One Family

Hariang Banga journeyed east to build his new kingdom, and in time he became known as Jaka Susuruh, founding father of the Javanese kingdom. His loyal followers became the ancestors of the Javanese people.

Ciung Wanara, meanwhile, ruled the Kingdom of Galuh with fairness and wisdom, and his people became known as the Sundanese. As he returned westward, it is said that Ciung Wanara sang the tale of this great civil war in the form of a Sundanese pantun — a traditional sung poem — while his brother Hariang Banga, heading east, told the very same story through his own songs.

And that is how, long ago, one great kingdom came to be shared between two brothers — and how their story is still sung and told to this very day.

Want to experience the story of Ciung Wanara interactively? Try the folktale game below! Follow the young prince's journey — from being set adrift on a river, to being raised by an old fisherman couple, to reclaiming his birthright through a magical cockfight against the king. Complete with voice narration and an Indonesian/English language switch — just tap "Start Story" to begin the adventure!

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Monday, 20 July 2020

Legend of Ciung Wanara: Sundanese Folktale for Kids