15 Indonesian Folktales from North Sumatra | Legends for Kids

Welcome, little readers! Here is a collection of folktales, fairy tales, and legends told by the people of North Sumatra Province. Its capital is the city of Medan, and it lies in the northern part of the island of Sumatra, right next to the Province of Aceh.

These stories come from many different places. When new stories are found, they will be added here. We hope you enjoy them!

1. The Origin of the Palm Tree: A Folktale from Tanah Karo

In Tanah Karo, there is a legend about how the sugar palm tree came to be. Long ago, there lived a kind woman named Beru Sibou. Her brother loved to gamble, and one day he was punished and locked in wooden stocks, called pasung, in a faraway land. Out of love for him, Beru Sibou wanted to help. And from her body, the sugar palm tree came to be.

2. The Legend of Lake Toba: A Tale of Love, Promises, and Fate

Do you know how Lake Toba and Samosir Island were made? The story begins with a poor young man who married a beautiful woman who had once been a fish. Before the wedding, he made her a promise. But later, he broke it, and because of that broken promise, Lake Toba was formed.

3. Ahmad and Muhammad: North Sumatra Folktale for Kids

Long ago, the people of North Sumatra believed there was a very special animal called the merbuk. They said that whoever ate its head would become a king, and whoever ate its heart would become a minister. That is why everyone talked about the magical merbuk.

4. The Legend of Lubuk Emas: A North Sumatra Folktale for Kids

Near the Asahan River, there is a place called Lubuk Emas, the Golden Deep. It holds a story of love and loyalty. Sri Pandan was a princess of the Teluk Dalam kingdom, and Hobat was a faithful servant of the royal family. Because of her deep love for Hobat, Sri Pandan bravely chose to jump into the deep waters of the Asahan River.

5. Nai Manggale: The Legend of Si Gale-Gale from Lake Toba

Once upon a time, in North Sumatra, there lived a wonderful statue maker named Datu Panggana. His statues were so smooth and so lifelike that they looked like the real thing! He could carve animals, plants, and even people. Soon, Datu Panggana became famous, and many villagers came to ask him to make statues for them.

6. The Legend of Princess Runduk: Indonesian Story for Children

Long ago, the Kingdom of Barus Raya lost a battle and surrendered to the Kingdom of Mataram. Soon after, King Sanjaya asked to marry Princess Runduk, the widow of King Jayadana. But Princess Runduk said no, because she was Muslim and the king was Hindu. King Sanjaya was unhappy with her answer, and he decided to arrest her.

7. Datu Dalu and Sangmaima: A North Sumatra Folktale

In North Sumatra, there are two lakes: Lake Si Losung and Lake Si Pinggan. An old folk tale says that they appeared because of a quarrel between two brothers, Datu Dalu and his younger brother Sangmaima.

8. Si Kantan Island: A Folktale from North Sumatra, Indonesia

On the bank of a river in Labuhan Batu, there lived a poor widow and her son, Si Kantan. They lived in a shabby little hut that was very old and rickety, and Si Kantan's father had passed away long ago. Every day, his mother went into the forest to gather firewood to sell at the market, and Si Kantan always went along to help carry it. He was known as a hardworking child who obeyed his mother.

9. The Origin of Rice: Beru Dayang, an Indonesian Folktale from North Sumatra

Once upon a time, in Tanah Karo, there was a kingdom led by a wise king, and its people lived in comfort. But they did not eat rice like we do today. Their food was the fruit that grew on trees, because nobody had ever seen a rice plant.

10. Kelana Sakti: The Farmer's Son Who Became a Hero of North Sumatra

Long ago, there was a kingdom called Purnama. Its ruler was King Indra Sakti, who was known to be kind and wise. Under his rule, the people were happy, safe, and lived in peace.

11. Snake Princess: The Tragic Indonesian Folktale of Simalungun

Once upon a time, in the land now called Simalungun, there stood a kingdom ruled by a wise king. The king had a lovely daughter, and she was famous for her beauty. Everyone in the kingdom, and even people in faraway lands, knew about her. One day, a handsome young king from a neighboring country heard about the princess and wished to marry her.

12. Sampuraga Pond: Indonesian Folktale of a Cruel Son

In the Mandailing region of North Sumatra, there is a beautiful pool called Sampuraga. People come from far away to visit it. But do you know how the pool came to be? The story goes that it came from a boy named Sampuraga, who did not obey his mother. Nobody knows if the tale is true, but it teaches us something important: we must always respect and listen to our mothers.

13. The Story Behind Simalungun's Name — A North Sumatra Folktale

In the days of long ago, the land we now call Simalungun was known as Nagur Village. In that village stood a small kingdom named Tanah Djawo. It was a peaceful and safe place, because it was ruled by a wise king. He was helped by brave and skillful warriors called hulubalang. The people of the kingdom belonged to the Sinaga clan and were part of the Batak people.

14. Puteri Hijau: The Legend of the Green Princess of North Sumatra, Indonesia

Long, long ago, in a land called Medan Deli, there stood a grand kingdom with a magnificent palace called Maimun Palace. This Malay kingdom was founded around the 15th to 16th century, and its ruler was a king named Sultan Muhayat Syah. The Sultan had three children. The eldest was Mambang Yazid, the second was Mambang Khayali, and the youngest was a princess named Putri Hijau.

15. Lau Kawar: The Heartbreaking Indonesian Legend of a Village Turned to Lake

Once upon a time, a village had harvest after harvest. Every time the villagers went to the fields, the rice stalks were heavy with grain. The people were so happy! Soon the rice barns were full to the top, and there was still rice left over. To show how thankful they were, the villagers held a big thanksgiving feast together.