This folk tale tells of a rich merchant who lived during the reign of Sultan Haji. The title of this folklore is the Legend of Batu Kuwung. The merchant was very close to the sultan in the area. The merchant's proximity gave him an advantage. Because the merchant could monopolize the coffee and pepper trade in the Lampung area. The merchant also had a very large land, abundant wealth, and was highly respected by the people of that place.
However, the vast land he owned was obtained in a bad way, he gave very high loans to farmers. So that farmers are unable to pay loans and high interest to merchants. Debt was finally wrapped around the farmers, so like it or not their land had to be given to merchants.
Not long after that, the rich merchant was appointed head of the village. When he became the village head, he did not make the people prosperous and happy, but instead tortured them even more. He abused his power by making a policy of paying higher taxes than he should have. This rich merchant became very arrogant because of his wealth and power.
Besides being famous for his arrogant nature, this merchant also had a miserly nature. He never wanted to help his citizens who were in trouble. He prefers to squander his money and live a glorious life above the hardships faced by his people. He doesn't even want to get married. According to him, getting married and having children will cost him the money. Because of his character, people hate him very much. Realizing this, the merchant hired several personal guards so that no residents dared to disturb him.
The arrogance and arrogance of this rich merchant reached the ears of a powerful mandraguna. This magic man intends to teach the merchant a lesson as well as awaken the merchant. One day, this magic man disguised himself as a crippled beggar. He asks for food and clothes as he hasn't eaten since 2 days ago. However, instead of being given food and clothing, the beggar was pushed down and dragged by the merchant's guards. The poor beggar became angry and told the merchant before he finally disappeared,
“O arrogant and miserly rich merchant! Get ready to receive the recompense for your actions. You will feel the pain of being poor," said the beggar
Hearing this, the rich merchant became afraid. But he dismissed all his fearful thoughts because he thought he had an abundance of wealth.
The next morning, this rich merchant's legs could not be moved. He tried many times to move his legs but in vain the result was still unable to move. This rich merchant immediately called his personal bodyguard in a panic. Turns out his legs became paralyzed. In a panic, he ordered his guards to find a healer who could cure him. On that same day all the magic healers from remote areas had gathered to treat the merchant's feet. None of them managed to cure him. With an increasingly panicked situation, the rich merchant gave a message to his guards to hold a contest.
"Guards! Announce to all citizens that whoever manages to cure me, I will give part of my wealth for him, "said the merchant
His guards swiftly spread this announcement to places crowded with residents. In an instant, all the villagers and the surrounding villages knew this, including the beggar. The beggar also registered himself.
On the appointed day, the contestants had gathered and so did the beggar. One by one, they brought out their various magical abilities. However, none of them succeeded. Leaving the beggar who became the only hope of the merchant.
The beggar said that the merchant's illness was caused by his arrogant and miserly nature. He also said that the merchant could recover if he wanted to fulfill 3 conditions, namely the first was that the merchant had to change his arrogant and miserly nature, the second was that the merchant had to go to the foot of Mount Karang to meditate on a sunken rock for 7 days 7 nights without eat and drink, and thirdly the merchant must give half of his wealth to the poor after he is healed.
The merchant also wanted to fulfill these conditions. He left on a stretcher by his guards. Before leaving, the beggar advised him to ignore all obstacles that could thwart his hermitage. After giving this message, the beggar disappeared in the blink of an eye and this rich merchant realized that this beggar was not an ordinary person, but a magic mandraguna person.
After two days and two nights of walking, they finally arrived at the foot of Mount Karang. In that place there is a sunken stone. The merchant immediately ordered his guards to take him to the rock. But without realizing it, his bodyguards had passed out from exhaustion. Finally, the merchant was able to reach and climb the rock and begin his austerities.
After meditating for 7 days and 7 nights and going through various obstacles and temptations, suddenly he saw hot water coming out from between the rocks he was sitting on. In a short time, the place turned into a small pond. Seeing this miracle he immediately stopped his hermitage and began to bathe in the pool. Miraculously, his legs were suddenly able to move back. He also thanked God for being healed.
Feeling full of joy, he and his guards returned to their village. Arriving at the village, he immediately carried out his promise to distribute half of his wealth to the poor. He also distributed his agricultural lands for the poor peasants to cultivate. After that, he married a beautiful girl from a poor family. His attitude changed to be generous, wise, and wise in carrying out his duties as village head so that the residents liked him. He also told the magic of the hot springs so that in a short time the miracle was known by all residents.
Thus the Banten folklore entitled Legend Batu Kuwung. Hopefully this story is useful and thank you for visiting our blog.
More on folklore from Banten:
- The story of Prince Pande Gelang
- The Origin of Mount Pinang
- The Legend of Batu Kuwung
- The Legend of Cikaputrian
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