ASAL USUL SELAT NASI ~ Cerita Rakyat Kepulauan Riau | Dongeng Kita

Summary

The story of Selat Nasik in the Riau Archipelago reveals a tale of love, conflict, and separation. Datuk Wan, a wealthy man from Subi Island, arranges a marriage for his daughter Nilamsari to the prince of Palembang, Demang Aji Jaya. However, the prince's journey is delayed by a storm, and when he finally arrives, he faces the wrath of Datuk's wife, who is angered by the delay and serves spoiled rice. This causes a quarrel that results in the splitting of the island, forming the strait. Thus, the two islands of Subi were born—Subi Besar and Subi Kecil.

Takeaways

• 😀 A waterway named Selat Nasi separates Pulau Subi Besar and Pulau Subi Kecil in Indonesia's Kepulauan Riau.
• 😀 In ancient times, Pulau Subi Besar and Pulau Subi Kecil were not separated, but a story explains how they became divided.
• 😀 Datuk Wan Nilamsari, a wealthy and respected man, lived on Pulau Subi with his wife and beautiful, virtuous daughter, Nilamsari.
• 😀 Nilamsari's beauty and virtue were renowned, and her story reached the Sultanate of Palembang, where Prince Demang Aji Jaya heard of her.
• 😀 The Sultan of Palembang instructed Prince Demang to find a wife, and Nilamsari was deemed the perfect match to become his queen.
• 😀 After receiving a proposal from the Sultan, Datuk Wan agreed to the marriage and set a wedding date for the 10th of Syafar.
• 😀 The groom's party from Palembang set sail towards Pulau Subi but encountered a violent storm, which forced them to seek refuge on Pulau Kiabu.
• 😀 On the agreed wedding day, the bride's family in Pulau Subi anxiously awaited the groom's arrival, but they did not arrive on time.
• 😀 After two days of delay due to the storm, the groom's party finally arrived on the 13th of Syafar, and the marriage was quickly conducted.
• 😀 The delayed arrival caused conflict between Datuk Wan and his wife, leading to a bitter argument. This dispute caused the land to split, creating the Selat Nasi, separating Pulau Subi into two islands.

Q & A

What is the origin of the Nasi Strait?

The Nasi Strait was formed due to a dramatic event involving Datuk Wan and his wife, triggered by the delayed arrival of the prince's wedding party from Palembang. In a fit of anger over the delay, Datuk Wan threw a plate of rice, causing the land to split, forming the strait between the two islands, Subi Besar and Subi Kecil.

Who are the main characters in the story?

The main characters include Datuk Wan, a wealthy man living on Subi Island; his daughter, Nilamsari, who is known for her beauty and virtue; the Sultan of Palembang; Pangeran Demang Aji Jaya, the prince of Palembang; and Datuk Wan's wife, who plays a key role in the conflict.

Why did Pangeran Demang Aji Jaya want to marry Nilamsari?

Pangeran Demang Aji Jaya was directed by his mother, the Queen, to marry Nilamsari after hearing of her beauty and noble character. It was also a requirement for him to marry in order to claim the throne of the Sultanate of Palembang.

How did the prince's journey to Subi Island get delayed?

The prince's journey was delayed due to a severe storm that forced the prince's ships to take shelter at another island, Kiabu, to avoid the bad weather. As a result, the prince and his entourage arrived two days late for the wedding.

What was Datuk Wan's reaction to the prince's delay?

Datuk Wan was furious when the prince arrived late, especially as the wedding preparations had already been completed and the food had started to spoil. He felt embarrassed and insulted, and his anger escalated when his wife insisted on serving the food despite the delay.

What role did the rice play in the conflict?

The rice, which had become spoiled due to the wedding delay, became a symbol of the conflict between Datuk Wan and his wife. In a fit of rage, Datuk Wan threw the rice, which caused the ground to split, ultimately forming the Nasi Strait that separated the two islands.

What was the consequence of the argument between Datuk Wan and his wife?

The argument between Datuk Wan and his wife led to a supernatural event where the ground split apart after Datuk Wan threw the rice. This resulted in the creation of the Nasi Strait, separating Subi Besar and Subi Kecil.

How did the people of Subi Island react to the prince's delayed arrival?

The people of Subi Island were initially understanding, knowing that the prince and his entourage were delayed by the storm. However, Datuk Wan's wife was less forgiving, and she was upset that the prince had not arrived on time for the wedding.

What does the creation of the Nasi Strait symbolize in the story?

The creation of the Nasi Strait symbolizes the destructive power of anger and pride. The strait’s formation reflects how human emotions, particularly negative ones, can lead to unforeseen and irreversible consequences.

How does the story end?

The story ends with the marriage of Nilamsari and Pangeran Demang Aji Jaya, but the conflict between Datuk Wan and his wife remains unresolved. After Datuk Wan throws the rice, the land splits, forming the Nasi Strait, and the two islands are permanently separated.