Dara Itam is a folk tale from West Kalimantan. She is the only child of Patih Gumantar. Dara Itam was left to die by her father during the war against the Miaju Kingdom. When she was a teenager, Dara Itam grew into a very beautiful woman and had the ability to treat sick people. Because it was very beautiful, Dara Itam became the dream of a king named Raja Pulang Palih. Even though she didn't love Raja Pulang Palih, Dara Itam didn't immediately reject Raja Pulang Palih's request harshly. It turns out that Dara Itam has a dream man named Ria Sinir. What is the story of the area entitled Dara Itam? here's the story.
Dara Itam is the only child of Patih Gumantar. Patih Gumantar was a very influential person in his time. He was considered a minor king. He lived a luxurious and prosperous life. Because of this, he was so prosperous that many neighboring small kingdoms wanted to seize his territory. At that time the Kayau Mengayau war was still going on. Namely, war involves slashing the opponent's neck until the head is separated from the body.
Around 1400 AD, the Miaju kingdom was determined to attack the small kingdom of Patih Gumantar. The kingdom came with a larger army. In that battle, King Miaju won and managed to head off Patih Gumantar's head and then brought the skull back to his kingdom.
It is said that skulls from the Kayau war are very useful and important for farming and other aspects of life for the Dayak people. The skull was then closely guarded. Because if it is lost, then all the benefits and good fortune of the entire tribe will be lost. Regarding Patih Gumantar's skull, his skull is kept in the Tajo Tarus Raja Miaju, a kind of heirloom jar with very strict guarding.
After growing into a teenage girl, Dara Itam then became a Baliatn shaman, a shaman who was very popular with her people. In its shamanic method, the Black Dara always uses concoctions from wood and wood roots from the forest to be processed into medicine. Until now, the medicinal ingredients are still used by the Dayak tribe in their villages. As a shaman, Dara Itam is often invited from village to village to treat sick people.
One day Dara Itam was invited to her neighbor's village near the Tenganap River in the Tembawang Selimpat area. There Dara Itam sat in shamanism for weeks. Usually, after completing the shaman, Dara Itam often bathes in the Tenganap River, whose water flows through the residence of Raja Pulang Palih, a king whose lineage is from the Javanese King of Banten.
While bathing, a strand of Dara Itam's hair fell out. The hair fell into a brass bekir or bokor which he carried. Bokor is a pot-shaped container made of copper. It was so light, the bug was then just carried by the air. As it drifted away, the bokor passed one of Raja Pulang Palih's bodyguards who was bathing. The guard was also interested in seeing the bowl and took it. When he took it, he saw that there was a strand of hair in it. He also tried to pull the hair. But for the sake of its length, the hair seems endless. This was then reported to the king. After learning about this, the king also looked surprised and wanted to know who the owner of the long hair was. She must be a beautiful girl, he thought.
The king then decided and ordered several of his guards to accompany him in looking for the whereabouts of the owner of the hair. From the direction of the river flowing, they concluded that the owner of the hair was upstream of the river. Using a boat, the group went along the river towards the upstream.
After walking along the river for a long time, they arrived at a house that was neatly decorated, a sign that there was a shamanic event taking place according to Dayak custom. The guard then asked a resident there, who might have long hair here. According to the child who was drawing water, there was indeed a girl who had long hair. But that girl is treating someone's illness in this village.
After hearing this information, the king then carried out his plan. He then pretended to be sick and lay down in the boat. His bodyguards were ordered to invite Dara Itam to come to the boat. Without thinking, Dara Itam then agreed to the king's request and followed the guard's steps to the boat carrying all the ingredients.
When Dara Itam got on the boat, the guards immediately untied the boat rope and rowed as hard as they could, leaving the river upstream. Dara Itam realized that she had been tricked, she fell into Raja Pulang Palih's trap which led her to leave Tembawang Selimpat for the Tembawang Ambator area.
Because the speed of the boat was above average, in a short time the boat carrying Dara Itam arrived at the base of the Sepatah River, Tembawang Ambator Anggarat area. There Dara Itam was greeted by all the wives of Raja Pulang Palih. The king then began to court Dara Itam with the intention of attracting her sympathy so that she would marry him as his wife.
Dara Itam wanted to refuse, but didn't dare to do it openly. Because in her heart there is only one name, Ria Sinir, who has succeeded in stealing her heart. But he didn't want to be careless by rudely rejecting the king's proposal. Dara Itam then gave a condition,"If you are able to return the skull of my father, Patih Gumantar, you will can marry me," Dara Itam asked Raja Pulang Palih as a condition.
Initially the King refused the request and always seduced Dara Itam to marry him. But Dara Itam was firm in her request. Finally, because of Dara Itam's irrefutable request, the King tried to carry out this condition.
Raja Pulang Palih then gathered all his people and palace officials to ask for opinions. They knew that getting Patih Gumantar's skull meant beating the drums of war. But that was the only way for the King to marry Dara Itam.
The skull was of course closely guarded. And to get it they had to put up fierce resistance to King Miaju. After agreeing, they then decided to make war equipment.
The king then ordered his people to look for the best wood to make Jong or large canoes. And for this reason, people will look for Merbau wood. Not long afterward the wood was found in the Sepatat River, whose wooden embankment still exists today.
Using traditional tools made of stone, they cut down merbau trees using stone axes. But even though they tried hard, they were unable to cut it down.
Finally they used another method, namely tying the stone ax blade with rattan rope to a piece of wood which became the handle. After that, the wood was cut again. But only half the trunk had been cut, night fell, and they decided to cut down the merbau tree the next day.
But the next day they were shocked. The tree trunk that had been half broken came back together and became whole as before. Not wanting to get too caught up in the confusion, they returned to cutting down, completing the work that had been postponed.
However, until the afternoon, the felling of the Merbau trees was still not finished. Until night came and they were forced to postpone it again. But when the next day came, the merbau tree was intact again. And they were really disappointed to see what happened. How strange, they thought.
Dara Itam then suggested to Raja Pulang Palih that he summon Ria Sinir to cut down the merbau tree. Without asking many questions, the king immediately agreed to the proposal and immediately summoned Ria Sinir to his kingdom. Ria Sinir, who basically has a helpful nature, immediately complied with the king's invitation and immediately went to the king.
"After some of my people couldn't do it, I asked you to cut down a Merbau tree which I will later make into a Jong." The king asked while explaining what he meant to Ria Sinir.
"I will try. But I don't dare to promise. Because even the king's men failed to carry it out, let alone me." Ria Sinir answered in a humble manner.
"Just try it first." The king asked hopefully.
Finally, Ria Sinir entered the forest and immediately found the location where the merbau wood in question was located. And Ria Sinir started his work. Amazingly, with just one or two blows with his axe, the sturdy tree immediately fell.
After finishing his work, Ria Sinir rushed to the king and reported the results of his work. Seeing this, the king and the people who knew about it were amazed. I never thought that Ria Sinir could do such a difficult thing so easily. After finishing his duties, Ria Sinir then said goodbye to returning to his hometown.
Once the merbau logs are obtained, immediately process the wood into a jong. It didn't take long for the jong to be finished and ready to be used. A group of them then tried to push the jong so that it could enter the river. However, even though all the people joined in pushing, the jong did not budge as if it were firmly embedded in the ground. Once again the king became confused at the strangeness.
Finally, again at Dara Itam's suggestion, Ria Sinir was invited again. Ria Sinir then came. But the conditions he asked for this time were very tough. Making the king surprised.
"I can help, my lord. But there are conditions." Ria Sinir answered.
"What are the conditions, Ria Sinir?"
"The king must provide seven women who are pregnant with their first child in a state of late pregnancy or almost giving birth. Because these seven people will later become the cushions for the base of the jong that will be launched." Ria Sinir explained at length.
"That's impossible," interrupted the king nervously. Hearing the conditions requested by Ria Sinir made him afraid.
"Apart from that, I also need seven eggs from chickens that are laying their first eggs. As well as three bushels of coins made of silver, copper and tin."
"Can't it be replaced?" The king bargained.
Ria Sinir shook his head. "These conditions cannot be negotiated, my lord. Otherwise, my lord's plan will not be successful," explained Ria Sinir again.
Finally, even though it felt unreasonable, the King agreed to all the conditions requested by Ria Sinir. Unexpectedly, the king then managed to get it. When everything was complete, the seven pregnant women were ordered by Ria Sinir to lie down, lined up in front of the jong which would be taken to the river. Because it was from above the stomachs of the seven pregnant women that Jong would slide into the river.
All the people who witnessed this incident looked on in horror and sadness. Ria Sinir then walked to the stern of the jong. And with his supernatural powers, he then patted the stern once and the jong immediately glided smoothly over the pregnant woman's stomach one by one until she managed to float on the water.
After that, the seven pregnant women were asked to stand up by Ria Sinir. Magic! All of them are healthy and there is no injury whatsoever on their bodies. In fact, they feel healthier than before. The seven eggs requested were then told to incubate them. And then one day, after the eggs hatched, roosters came out who were good at crowing.
After that the jong was filled with all the war equipment. The king then appointed Ria Sinir to lead the war. And before leaving, Raja Pulang Palih had promised to hand over one of his seven wives to Ria Sinir if she succeeded in bringing Patih Gumantar's skull to him.
After the jong was filled with war equipment, the troops led by Ria Sinir departed for the Miaju Kingdom. Jong was then pedaled as fast as the Bengkala Bird, a magical bird that has a fast flying speed. At around one o'clock in the evening, they arrived. Before carrying out the attack, they first scouted the situation. They saw the Tajau Tarus storage hut containing Patih Gumantar's skull. The place was strictly and neatly guarded. Ria Sinir, who was brave and intelligent, then carried out her plan.
With carefully, that same night he transported all the money he had brought. He then scattered the money in places where people usually drew water. Some of the money was also tied like a coffer and attached to a tangkul tree which is poisonous like a tuba. After that, the jong is pedaled again away from the downstream.
In the morning, when people were drawing water, they saw money scattered around, like rain pouring from the sky. They immediately picked it up. The people then went home to the longhouse and told the news to the others.
Hearing that, the others then flocked to the place and took part in picking up the money that was scattered there. Not satisfied with picking up the money that was scattered around, they then took the money from the tangkul tree trunk which was also full of money.
They then cut down the tree. When it is cut, the poisonous wood indirectly falls into the water and poisons the fish there. Unsurprisingly, the fish then died and appeared on the surface of the water.
"Come on! Quickly pedal our Jong. Don't let the enemy find out and chase," Ria Sinir ordered his troops.
Using all their strength, they pedaled continuously. Finally, after paddling for a long time, they arrived safely at the palace of Raja Pulang Palih. Ria Sinir then brought the jar before the King. After that, the King remembered his promise, that he would give up one of his wives to Ria Sinir.
Therefore, all his wives were told to dress up as beautiful as possible. When they finished dressing, they were then told to wait in a room. Ria Sinir was then invited in and asked to choose one of them. All of the King's wives were beautiful, but none of them captured Ria Sinir's heart. Because in Ria Sinir's heart there is only Dara Itam. And with his supernatural powers, Ria Sinir chose his own way. He then took a betel leaf. He then carried the betel leaf on his shoulders. After that he released the betel leaf. Magic! The betel leaf turned into a glowing firefly and flew according to Ria Sinir's orders.
"Whoever this firefly lands on will be my wife." Ria Sinir said solemnly.
Raja Pulang Palih was amazed to see Ria Sinir's supernatural powers. Panic arose in his heart. "What if these fireflies go to the kitchen and land on Dara Itam." Thought the King anxiously.
Seeing this, all the villagers immediately came out to collect the many fish stranded in the water. They forgot about the tajo tarus containing the skull of Patih Gumantar which they were supposed to guard closely. The place was quiet and unguarded.
Seeing this situation, Ria Sinir calmly carried out his actions. Ria Sinir then lifted the jar containing Patih Gumantar's skull and took it into Jong.
Dara Itam was deliberately hidden by the King in the kitchen and his face was smeared with black charcoal. It is said that that is why he is increasingly known by the nickname Dara Itam. The King's fear then came true. The fireflies then headed to the kitchen, where Dara Itam was hidden.
"Whoever this firefly lands on will be my wife." Ria Sinir repeated many times.
The fireflies then landed on Dara Itam. Seeing that, Ria Sinir rushed into the kitchen and found Dara Itam there. Even though Dara Itam's face was black with charcoal, Ria Sinir still knew her.
When they met, they immediately hugged tightly. Joining hands, the two of them then faced the King. Raja Pulang Palih's heart was actually hard to let go of Dara Itam but as King he could not break the promise he had made. His heart is sad. The Dara Itam he loves will soon be taken by someone else.
Patih Gumantar's skull which was found and which would have made him happy has now brought him sadness. Because it actually became a bridge for Ria Sinir and Dara Itam to reunite. The woman he loves will belong to someone else.
After that, Ria Sinir and Dara Itam then excused themselves to the king. However, before they left, with tears in his eyes the King said to Ria Sinir.
"I will not break my promise to you Ria Sinir. But please, if the child Dara Itam is carrying is a boy then he is my child. And if it is a girl then the child belongs to Dara Itam."
"Okay, Lord." Ria Sinir nodded respectfully.
When they arrived at their hometown, Ria Sinir and Dara Itam were warmly welcomed by their uncle Ria Jambi. Their arrival was greeted like soldiers returning from the battlefield. Ria Jambi then gathered all his relatives to hold a wedding party.
Feasts at that time only served meat from domestic animals, wild game, fungus vegetables, coral and fruit found in the forest. From the marriage of Dara Itam and Ria Sinir, a boy named Ria Kanu' was born, who later became the forerunner of the Dayak Kanayatn descendants in Darit Manyuke District, Landak Regency.
Meanwhile, from her marriage to Raja Pulang Palih, Dara Itam gave birth to twins named Dol Kasim and Dol Kahar. These were the people who later became the forerunners of the kings in the Landak Kingdom.
That is the folklore from the West Kalimantan area entitled Dara Itam. Hopefully this story is useful for readers.
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