Definition and Examples of Folklore in Indonesia – Speaking of folklore, Indonesia certainly has various examples of folklore. Not only in certain areas. In fact, many regions in Indonesia have folklore.
Even though it seems like a fairy tale, many people believe in folklore. Not only because the story is good, but the moral message implied from the folklore is also very instructive for children.
Then, what are the examples of folklore that exist? Check out examples of folklore below
Definition of Folklore
Before seeing how examples of folklore. You need to know in advance what folklore is.
Folklore is a story that is lifted from the culture in which the people live. This is one of the reasons why folklore has been and continues to develop in people’s lives for a long time. Folklore is a story that contains stories from the past.
Just as the name suggests, folklore is made by local people. Generally, folklore will tell about the surrounding places or events that occur around the people living. Folklore is a legendary story over time.
Folklore will tell several things. Such as the origin of something, a place, a character or human, animals, objects, even supernatural things. There are many things that can be used as folklore.
In his time, folklore would be conveyed or told only by word of mouth. The point is that ancient people retold the story through word of mouth. This is also one of the reasons, folklore is included as oral literature.
Folklore is lifted from the fictitious thoughts of the local community. However, not a few also from folklore which is a true story. In its presentation, folklore will contain a moral message in it.
Many lessons can be drawn from each folklore. Therefore, folklore is often used as a lesson for children. Then, what is included in folklore?
In Indonesia itself there are various folklore, originating from different provinces and even regions. The following is an example of folklore in Indonesia.
Examples of Folklore “Timun Mas”
Golden cucumber
In a village there lived a woman named Mbok Srini. Mbok Srini is an old woman who lives alone, or alone. Mbok Srini really wanted to have a child. He wanted the child to be able to take care of himself, who was getting old day by day. However, this was deemed impossible, because she did not have a husband.
Every day Mbok Srini always went to the forest to look for firewood. One day in the middle of the forest, he met a giant who looked very scary. The gigantic body was very tall, even exceeding the height of a tree. Its skin is covered with coarse hairs and its skin is very dark. In its mouth there is a pair of very sharp fangs, and the nails are long and dirty.
Seeing a giant, he was very scared. His body slowly began to tremble at the sight of that enormous creature. The giant said in a very scary voice,
“Hey, old woman. Don’t be afraid, I won’t eat you. You are too old. Your meat is hard and doesn’t taste good. I just came here to give you something.”
The giant then gave some plant seeds. Then he said
“Plant this seed and take good care of it. Then you will get what you wanted all along. However, you have to remember, you can’t enjoy it alone. You should share it with me, as a token of gratitude.”
Mbok Srini just nodded, after that she went straight home. Arriving home, Mbok Srini did according to the giant’s instructions, planting the seeds that were given to her. Suddenly the next day, the seeds of the plant had grown into cucumber plants that were very healthy and had large fruit. If the fruit is exposed to sunlight, its color shines like gold.
Out of curiosity about the cucumbers, Mbok Srini finally picked the biggest fruit. When it started to be split, Mbok Srini was very surprised. Inside the cucumber was a very beautiful baby girl.
“So this is the meaning of what he said.” Mbok said in his heart.
How happy Mbok Srini was. He never imagined that he would have such a beautiful daughter. Because he was born from a golden cucumber, the child was named Timun Mas.
The next day in the forest, Mbok Srini again met the giant. Then the giant said
“You’ve got what you wanted all along. According to your promise, you must share the child with me.”
Mbok Srini was confused, then she asked,
“How can a baby girl be divided?”
“Don’t worry old lady. You can have it until the age of 17. Furthermore. That child will be mine.” said the giant.
“Okay. I will take care of the child, and consider the child my own child until he is 17 years old,” said Mbok Srini.
***
Timun Mas then grew into a very beautiful girl, her beauty was not only in her face, but also in her heart. His skin is clean and olive in color. He was tall and slender, he had shiny black hair. Day by day, her beauty is increasingly visible.
Timun Mas is also very diligent, she often helps her mother. He always accompanies his mother to look for firewood in the forest. The kindness of Timun Mas made Mbok Srini start to worry about losing her. He really loved Timun Mas, he didn’t want to give Timun Mas just to be eaten by a giant.
Year after year it keeps changing. Now, Timun Mas is 17 years old. The time had come for the giant to take back Timun Mas from Mbok Srini. Then, Mbok ordered Timun Mas to hide in her room. Not long after that, there was suddenly a very loud banging sound. It turned out to be the sound of the giant’s footsteps. Mbok Srini began to tremble and was afraid.
“Hey old woman! Where is your daughter that you promised me?” shouted the giant.
“He is bathing in the river, mister giant. His body is very smelly. You definitely won’t like to eat it, “said Mbok Srini.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a week. Make sure when I get back, he’s ready to be taken to the forest.” Said the giant again.
“Of course. Sir. I won’t let you down.” said Mbok Srini.
***
After that went the giant to return to the forest. Mbok Srini and Timun Mas were very relieved and calm. They still have a week to be together. However, after a week had passed and the giant had returned, they still wanted to let go and parted ways. Timun Mas went back to hiding. This time he hid in the kitchen, in an empty water jug.
“Hey old woman. I’m back. I want to collect your promise! Quickly hand over the girl to me.” shouted the giant who was getting impatient.
“Sorry, mister giant. Timun Mas was selling wood to the village. If only you had come earlier, you would have met him.” said Mbok Srini
Half angry the giant answered him by shouting.
“Okay, I’ll give you one more week. If your child is not also you give it to me. Then I will destroy your house.”
Mbok Yem was getting scared and confused by the threat from the giant. He really didn’t want his daughter, who was so beautiful, to be eaten by this cruel and angry giant. Look at the state of his mother. Timun Mas said.
“Mother, don’t be sad. Let me be the giant’s meal.” Timun Mas said while convincing Mbok Srini.
“Not my child. Mother won’t let you fall prey to that evil giant. Mother will try anything to save you.” Mbok Srini said.
Then Mbok Srini went to meet a powerful grandfather who lived on a mountain. The great grandpa gave some amulets. The talisman consists of a cucumber seed, a thorn, a grain of salt, and a piece of shrimp paste.
***
A week later, the giant returned to Mbok Sini’s house. This time, the giant couldn’t contain his emotions anymore. His big feet were stamped on the ground so that all around Mbok Srini’s residence was vibrating.
“Fast! Give up your son or I will destroy your house. If necessary, I will also destroy you! I’m so hungry already!” shouted the giant who was angry and hungry.
“Sorry, mister giant. My son has already set off for a walk in the forest. Come back to the forest, to where you live. Timun Mas is already there.” Mbok Srini said lying.
At that time, Timun Mas had left the house through the back door. He brought all the objects given by the magic grandfather from the mountain. However, when he was about to return to the forest, the giant saw Timun Mas running from behind his house. Without thinking, the giant immediately chased Timun Mas.
Even though he was scared and panicked, Timun Mas still remembered all of his mother’s orders to fight the giant.
The order was to throw a cucumber seed in the direction the giant was running. The cucumber seeds then immediately turned into cucumber fields with very large fruit. Because of hunger, the giant ate the cucumbers in the field.
After feeling full. He returned to chase Timun Mas. A full stomach made the giant’s steps slow. However, the giant kept trying to chase Timun Mas because of its long strides.
“Watch out for you Timun Mas. I’ll kill you if you get caught,” said the giant with a little laugh
When the giant got close to Timun Mas, he remembered his mother’s order, which was to throw a thorn. Timun Mas immediately threw the thorns. Then the thorns turned into a bamboo forest.
The bamboo forest made the giant’s steps slow. In addition, his body became covered with wounds from being stabbed by bamboo sticks.
“Is this all you’re capable of? You can’t fight me, Timun Mas.” shouted the giant
It turned out that the giant did not give up. He kept chasing Timun Mas. Precisely the giant became more angry. He ran after Timun Mas with all his might.
This time, after getting close to Timun Mas, he threw a grain of salt. The salt turned into a very wide ocean. Even so, the giant tried to swim to catch Timun Mas.
“I will continue to chase you Timun Mas” said the giant while swimming
He managed to cross the ocean, but his body was very tired from running and swimming.
However, the giant continued to chase Timun Mas even though he was very tired. Then, Timun Mas again threw something. This time he threw a piece of shrimp paste. Then the shrimp paste turns into a quicksand area.
When stepping on the mud, the giant could not move and began to be sucked in by the mud. The giant screamed for help when his body sucked in mud.
“Help me.. Help me!” shouted the giant.
The huge body of the giant was not even able to fight against the suction of the mud, because it was very tired. Finally, the giant died because sucked in the mud. So, the history of that evil giant is over.
After being freed from the evil giant. The life of Timun Mas and Mbok Srini is getting better. After growing up, Timun Mas met a prince from across the country. The prince fell in love with her. Then they decided to get married. Timun Mas and Mbok Srini were then brought by the prince to his palace. In the end, they lived happily together forever.
Examples of Folklore
- Lutung Kasarung
- Alue Dragon
- Swamp Dizziness
- Sangkuriang Folklore
- La Moelu
- Malin Kundang
- Lake Toba
- Onion and garlic
- Crying stone
- Si Pitung
- Cindelaras
- Angel Lake
- Golden snail
- Ande Ande Lumut
- Nyi Roro Kidul
- Princess Uphold Buih
- Roro Jonggrang
- The Origin of the Bali Strait
- Jaka Tarub