The Legend of Mount Pinang: An Indonesian Folklore of Dampu Awang

Chapter 1: A Young Boy's Dream

Once upon a time, along the sunny coast of Banten, there lived a humble widow and her loving son named Dampu Awang. Though they were very poor and often struggled to find enough to eat, young Dampu Awang held a grand dream in his heart. He wished with all his soul to become a wealthy and successful merchant.

Chapter 2: The Farewell

One fine morning, a magnificent sailing ship docked at the harbor. It belonged to a grand and wealthy merchant named Teuku Abu Matsyah. Seeing the massive wooden ship with its fluttering sails, Dampu Awang’s heart beat fast with excitement. He rushed home to his mother to share his big news.

Dampu Awang: "Mother! A very rich merchant has docked at the harbor. I would love to work on his ship. If luck is on my side, perhaps one day I can become a rich merchant just like him. Mother, may I please sail away with him?"

His mother looked at him with gentle, tearful eyes and shook her head tightly.

Mother: "Oh, my sweet child, no! You cannot go sailing across the wide ocean with that wealthy merchant."

Dampu Awang: "But why, Mother? If I work hard on the ship, I can earn enough money to care for us both. Once I become a wealthy merchant, our lives will change forever!"

Mother: "I am afraid, my son. I fear that if you become rich and powerful, you will forget your poor mother who loved you from the start."

Dampu Awang begged and pleaded until his mother, with a heavy heart, finally relented. Before he departed, she handed him his late father’s favorite pet bird.

Mother: "Take good care of this little bird, my son. And please, promise me you will always send word of your safety."

Dampu Awang: "I promise, Mother! I will never forget your message."

They embraced tightly as tears fell, and Dampu Awang boarded the majestic ship bound for Malacca.

Chapter 3: Fortune and Forgetfulness

Onboard the ship, Dampu Awang worked harder than anyone else. Seeing his diligence and respectful nature, Teuku Abu Matsyah grew very fond of him. One afternoon, the master called Dampu Awang into his cabin.

Dampu Awang: "My lord! What is your request, sir?"

Teuku Abu Matsyah: "Dampu Awang, you are a hard worker and a fine young man. I would be honored to set you up with my beautiful daughter, Siti Nurhasanah. How would you like to marry her?"

Dampu Awang: "It would be an absolute honor, my lord! I am ready!"

They held a splendid, lively wedding. Soon after becoming the son-in-law, Dampu Awang was trusted to manage all of his father-in-law's vast fortune. When Teuku Abu Matsyah fell ill and passed away, Dampu Awang took his place as the master merchant.

Yet, amidst all the gold and luxury, Dampu Awang forgot his promise. He never wrote to his mother, completely lulled into vanity by his newfound wealth.

Chapter 4: The Cold Heart

Years passed, and Dampu Awang sailed back to the coast of Banten alongside his beautiful wife. The townsfolk marvelled at the gigantic, luxury ship. News of the rich merchant's arrival quickly reached his mother's ears. Knowing in her heart that it was her beloved son, she ran to the shore as fast as her aging legs could carry her.

There he stood on the deck, dressed in fine silks beside his lovely wife.

Mother: "Dampu Awang, my son! You have returned! Oh, I missed you so much!"

Dampu Awang froze. He saw the poor, fragile woman in tattered clothes, but pride hardened his heart. He was far too ashamed to admit to his wealthy wife and crew that a poor beggar woman was his mother.

Siti Nurhasanah: "Husband, is that poor old woman your mother? Why did you never tell me your mother was still alive?"

Dampu Awang: "Pay her no mind, my love! That old woman is not my mother. My mother died long ago! She is just a crazy beggar. Just ignore what she says, it really isn't important!"

His mother wept as if her heart were breaking into a thousand pieces.

Dampu Awang: "Hey, old woman! Shut your mouth! You are not my mother. I don't have a mother anymore!"

Devastated, the poor mother fell to her knees, looking up at the heavens as tears streamed down her wrinkled face.

Mother: "Oh God, am I mistaken? If he is not my son Dampu Awang, let him go in peace. But if he truly is my child, please give him the punishment he deserves!"

Chapter 5: The Legend of Mount Pinang

The moment her prayer ended, the earth began to shake wildly. Dark clouds swallowed the sky, lightning cracked violently, and a fierce storm whipped the ocean into raging waves. The luxury ship tossed helplessly upon the ocean.

Amidst the chaos, the father's pet bird suddenly flapped its wings and spoke with a booming voice!

Pet Bird: "Dampu Awang! Acknowledge that woman as your mother! Hurry up and admit the truth!"

Dampu Awang: "No! My mother died long ago!"

With a terrifying crash, a massive wind hurled the giant ship high into the air, flipping it upside down and slamming it onto the land. In an instant, the storm vanished, but where the ship had fallen, a giant mountain now stood. Dampu Awang and his wife were trapped underneath forever.

That upside-down ship became known as Mount Pinang, which stands to this day between the cities of Serang and Cilegon in Banten, reminding everyone to always respect and love their parents.

Live out the legend of Mount Pinang from Banten in this interactive game! Help Dampu Awang set sail to chase his dreams, then witness what happens when he turns his back on his own mother. Tap, drag, and hold your way through each part of the story — complete with voice narration (which you can mute anytime). 

More on folklore from Banten:

• The Legend of Prince Pande Gelang: An Indonesian Fairy Tale
• The Legend of Mount Pinang: An Indonesian Folklore of Dampu Awang
• The Legend of Batu Kuwung – Famous Indonesian Folklore for Kids
• The Arrogant Princess: Legend of Cikaputrian Story