The Origin of the Name Mount Mekongga

Once upon a time, a giant eagle suddenly came to the land of Sorume (now called Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi). The Bird messed up the whole country. Every day the giant eagle steals livestock for prey. The residents are worried, if this is allowed, their livestock will gradually run out, maybe even the giant eagle one day will prey on humans.

Larumbalangi is a mandraguna magician. He lives in the land of Solumba (now Belandete). Larumbalangi has a keris and a sarong that can be used for flying. The residents of Sorume sent envoys to the land of Solumba, asking for the Larumbalangi's willingness to help drive out the giant garuda that intruded their country.

Not long after Sorume's envoys arrived in Solumba to meet Larumbalangi. The messengers told the events that happened to their country in Larumbalangi. They asked for his willingness to help. Larumbalangi then gave advice to the envoys, so that they collect old bamboo. Then the tip is made sharp and smeared with poison.

"To overcome the giant Garuda, you must use the right strategy. Collect by you old bamboo then make the ends sharp. Also grease the ends with poison. Look for a brave man in your country to fight the giant eagle. Fence it with pointed bamboo. So if the Kongga bird attacks, he will be pierced by poisonous bamboo. " Larumbalangi said.

Competition to Find Bait Against the Giant Garuda

The messengers thanked Larumbalangi for the advice. They immediately returned to the land of Sorume to implement the bamboo sharp strategy. Arriving at Sorume, the envoys conveyed the Larumbalangi strategy to the elders. At night, the traditional elders immediately held a competition to find brave men to be used as bait against the giant Garuda. If any commoner wanted to become bait, he would be appointed as a nobleman. And if He is a noble, then He will be appointed leader of the country.

The next day, hundreds of warriors from both aristocrats and commoners had gathered to take part in the competition. Everyone showed his ability in the presence of the Sorume elders. Finally, after going through tough competition, a winner named Tasahea was chosen. Tasahea are common people from Loeya country.

The elders then ordered residents to make poisoned bamboo spears and then put them in Padang Bende. Tasahea is then put into a circle surrounded by poisonous bamboo. The people immediately left Tasahea standing alone in the poisoned bamboo to lure the giant eagle.

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The Dead of the Giant Eagle

Tasahea has been standing alone for hours in the poisoned bamboo, but the giant eagle has not been seen. In the afternoon, suddenly the weather changed from sunny to cloudy again, very tense. At that moment, Tasahea saw a giant eagle flying towards her. The giant bird Kongga tries to attack Tasahea. But unfortunately, before he had the chance to attack, the giant eagle wing was pierced by poisonous runcin bamboo. The giant eagle screamed in pain. Tasahea did not waste this opportunity, she took a poisoned bamboo blade and stuck it into the chest of a giant Garuda. The eagle struggled in pain until finally he managed to escape from the sharp bamboo. He immediately flew up high, but soon he fell into a mountain. Not long after that Garuda finally died from the poisonous effect of the sharp bamboo.

Larumbalangi Appointed as a Leader

The people of the land of Sorume cheered and hailed Tasahea as a hero. However, the people's joy did not last long. The carcass of a giant eagle was spreading disease. Many residents died after vomiting because of the plague. Likewise, many people's crops die from being attacked by caterpillars. Knowing this, the traditional elders again sent envoys to meet Larumbalangi.

Arriving in the country of Solumba, the envoys conveyed the problem of the plague that originated from the dead garuda of Kongga to Larumbalangi. Hearing this, Larumbalangi immediately prayed to God Almighty to bring down heavy rain so that the giant garuda carcasses along with the caterpillars were flooded.

God answered Larumbalangi prayer. The country of Sorume was hit by heavy rain for seven days and seven nights. As a result, Sorume State experienced severe floods. The great flood carried the carcass of the giant Garuda and the caterpillars washed away. After the rain subsided & the floods receded, epidemics and caterpillars hit the land of Sorumefinally lost. The people of the Sorume country are happy, finally peace can come to their country. To appreciate Tasahea & Larumbalangi services, the elders agreed to make Tasahea a noble. Meanwhile, Larumbalangi was appointed as the leader of Sorume's country. The mountain where the giant eagle fell is named Mount Mekongga.

According to a folklore, it is said that Mount Mekongga in Southeast Sulawesi was given this name because it was the place where the giant Garuda or Kongga fell. Kongga bird died after attacking the country of Sorume. 

More folklore on Southeast Sulawesi:

• La Moelu the Orphan
• The Origin of the Name Mount Mekongga
• The Story of the Monkey and the Chicken