ASAL USUL KOTA BANDUNG ~ Cerita Rakyat Jawa Barat | Dongeng Kita

Summary

The origin story of Bandung, Indonesia, is a captivating folklore about the eruption of Mount Tangkuban Perahu. Empu Wisesa, a wise figure, adopts two orphaned boys, Wira and Jaka, after the eruption devastates the area. The tale takes a turn when Wisesa challenges the boys: whoever can extinguish the persistent lava will marry his daughter, Sekar. Wira succeeds by diverting the Citarum River to flood the lava, transforming the area into fertile land. The settlement that grew from this transformation is now known as Bandung, a city born from resilience and nature's power.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bandung is the capital of West Java, Indonesia, known for its cool climate and natural beauty, earning the nickname 'Paris of Java.'
• 😀 The city of Bandung is closely associated with the Citarum River, which plays a key role in its history and origin story.
• 😀 According to local legend, the origin of Bandung traces back to a figure named Empu Wisesa, who raised two orphans, Wira and Jaka, after a volcanic eruption from Mount Tangkuban Perahu.
• 😀 The eruption of Mount Tangkuban Perahu caused widespread devastation, and Empu Wisesa found two babies abandoned by the disaster, whom he cared for and taught.
• 😀 Wira was diligent in his training, while Jaka was lazy, which became an important part of the story later on.
• 😀 Empu Wisesa eventually decided to marry off his daughter, Sekar, to one of his two students, and set a seemingly impossible challenge to choose the right husband.
• 😀 The challenge involved extinguishing the ever-burning lava from Mount Tangkuban Perahu, which was thought to be an impossible task.
• 😀 Wira, after much effort, managed to redirect the Citarum River into the volcanic crater, using the water to put out the lava and transform the area into a large lake.
• 😀 The lake that formed after the lava was extinguished became known as 'Danau Bandung' (Lake Bandung), and the area around it became fertile land.
• 😀 Wira and Sekar married, and the surrounding fertile land led to the development of a prosperous farming community. This area eventually became the city of Bandung.
• 😀 Over time, the lake dried up and transformed into arable land, which attracted settlers, and Bandung grew into a thriving town and later became a city.

Q & A

What is the origin story of Bandung, as described in the script?

The origin story of Bandung involves a legendary event where the lava from the eruption of Mount Tangkuban Perahu threatened surrounding villages. Empu Wisesa, a wise figure, adopted two orphaned children, Wira and Jaka. He taught them various skills, including how to divert the Citarum River to extinguish the lava, which eventually formed a large lake. This lake, called Danau Bandung, later became a fertile area where people settled and the region came to be known as Bandung.

Why is Bandung referred to as 'Paris van Java'?

Bandung is known as 'Paris van Java' (Paris of Java) due to its cool climate, beautiful scenery, and the charm it shares with the European city of Paris. The term reflects Bandung’s reputation as a fashionable and scenic city.

What role does the Citarum River play in the creation of Bandung?

The Citarum River plays a pivotal role in the story. Wira, one of Empu Wisesa's disciples, diverts the river to extinguish the lava from Mount Tangkuban Perahu. By using his skills to redirect the river’s flow, the water from the Citarum floods the lava, eventually turning the area into a lake, which becomes known as Danau Bandung.

Who are the key characters in the origin story of Bandung?

The key characters in the story are Empu Wisesa, a wise man who adopted two orphans; Wira, one of his disciples who is dedicated and hardworking; Jaka, the other disciple who is more lazy; and Sekar, the daughter of Empu Wisesa.

What was the challenge set by Empu Wisesa for Wira and Jaka?

Empu Wisesa challenged Wira and Jaka to extinguish the lava from the eruption of Mount Tangkuban Perahu. He set a condition that whoever could achieve this would marry his daughter, Sekar.

How did Wira manage to extinguish the lava?

Wira used his knowledge and the skills he learned from Empu Wisesa to divert the Citarum River. He caused the river to flood the lava by redirecting it to a low basin, extinguishing the lava and turning the area into a vast lake.

What did the area where the lava was extinguished become known as?

The area where the lava was extinguished became known as Danau Bandung (Bandung Lake), named after the Citarum River that was diverted into it.

What happened to the lake over time?

Over time, the water in Danau Bandung began to recede and the lake dried up, leaving behind fertile land. This land became a prosperous farming area where many people settled.

How did the land surrounding the former lake benefit the people?

The land that emerged from the drying lake became very fertile, allowing people to farm and produce abundant crops. This attracted many settlers who took advantage of the fertile soil.

How did Wira and Sekar contribute to the development of the area?

Wira and Sekar moved to the fertile land where the lake once existed and established farmlands and rice fields. Their efforts helped cultivate the land, which later contributed to the growth and prosperity of the area.