The Origin of the Lipan Lake

It is said that in ancient times there was a kingdom that had a daughter named Putri Aji Bedarah Putih. He was given this name because if the Princess chewed betel leaves and ate the sap, it would be clear that the betel water would flow through her throat. Besides that, Putri Aji Bedarah Putih is famous for having a very beautiful face.

The King of China wants to propose to Princess Aji Bedarah Putih

The news of Princess Aji Bedarah Putih's beauty spread to other kingdoms. A King from China heard about her beauty, he was also interested in proposing the Princess. The King sent a messenger to convey his intention to propose to Princess Aji Bedarah Putih. Not long after, the King of China came to propose to Princess Aji Bedarah Putih.

Knowing that she would be proposed by the King of China, Princess Aji then planned to test the King of China. Before the King of China conveyed his intention to propose to the Princess, the palace entertained the King of China by eating together. It was at the time of eating together that the real nature of the dirty king of China was seen. It turned out that the King of China did not eat using his two hands but ate directly using his mouth like a dog.

The king's dirty nature made the Princess feel disrespected. Even though at the time of eating together, the King of China sat beside him. After the banquet, the King of China made his point, but Princess Bedarah Putih firmly rejected the King of China proposal.

"Dear beautiful daughter, will you be my wife?" asked the King of China to the Princess.

"I apologize, I am not willing, Your Majesty. There are many other girls who are prettier than me." The Princess refused.

"What! You dare to refuse my proposal? How dare you insult me! I am a king who has great power. I have many troops." The King of China was furious.

The refusal was considered a great insult by the King of China. He then declared war on the kingdom of Princess Aji Bedarah Putih. Finally, the King of China sent a large army from China to attack the kingdom of Princess Aji Bedarah Putih. An unbalanced war ensued. Thousands of Chinese troops fought against the small number of Princess Aji Bedarah Putih's royal troops.

Putri Aji felt angry because of this unbalanced war. He then chewed the betel, swearing that the betel nut would become a large centipede that would destroy the King of China and his troops.

The Origin of the Centipede Lake because of Princess Aji's Oath

"Oh God, turn my betel bits into a big centipede that will destroy the troops of the King of China." Princess Aji swore.

After taking an oath, Putri Aji then spat it out towards the raging battlefield. And strangeness ensued, the betel leaves turned into large centipedes, very terrible. In a short time the King of China troops were made disorganized by the attack of the giant centipedes. The king of China and his troops perished in a very pathetic manner. Thus, the kingdom of Putri Aji Bedarah Putih succeeded in winning the war. The area of ​​the former war was then given the name Lipan Lake.

The following is the folklore from East Kalimantan region regarding the origin of the Lipan Lake. Lake Lipan is a large area of ​​shrubs in the Muara Kaman sub-district, Tenggarong, the capital of Kutai Kartanegara Regency in East Kalimantan Province. The area is named Lipan Lake because in ancient times it was a place filled with large centipedes.