LEGENDA PUTRI KEMARAU ~ Cerita Rakyat Sumatera Selatan | Dongeng Kita

Summary

Set in a kingdom in South Sumatra, this tale follows Princess Jelitaní, born during a drought. Her kingdom faces a prolonged and devastating dry spell, causing widespread suffering. Despite the efforts of many sorcerers, the drought persists. In a dream, the princess learns that only a selfless sacrifice can end the drought. She willingly offers herself, plunging into the sea to save her people. Miraculously, the rain returns, restoring the kingdom’s prosperity. The princess is later resurrected from the sea, and the king, overjoyed, steps down to pass leadership to her, honoring her courage and sacrifice.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is set in a kingdom in South Sumatra, where a drought and severe famine plague the land.
• 😀 The king, a wise and just ruler, has a daughter named Putri Jelitani, who is known as Putri Kemarau because she was born during a dry season.
• 😀 After the queen's death, the kingdom falls into an extended drought, causing widespread suffering among the people and animals.
• 😀 A soothsayer suggests offering gold and diamonds to appease angry spirits, but the drought continues as the king’s efforts fail.
• 😀 Putri Jelitani, now an adult, is deeply saddened by the suffering of the kingdom and urges her father to stop relying on soothsayers.
• 😀 Putri Jelitani believes that only divine intervention can end the drought, and she prays to God daily for help.
• 😀 One night, Putri Jelitani dreams of her deceased mother, who reveals that the drought can end if a young woman sacrifices herself by drowning in the sea.
• 😀 Putri Jelitani shares her dream with her father, and the king announces it to the people, asking if any girl is willing to make the sacrifice.
• 😀 In a silent moment, Putri Jelitani volunteers to sacrifice herself, believing a true leader must put the people first.
• 😀 After her sacrifice, the rains finally return, ending the drought, but the king is heartbroken as he loses his beloved daughter.
• 😀 On the seventh day after her sacrifice, Putri Jelitani miraculously returns from the sea, and the king joyfully recognizes her as a divine symbol of selflessness.
• 😀 The king abdicates the throne, passing leadership to Putri Jelitani, who has proven her dedication and leadership for the welfare of the kingdom.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the story?

The story takes place in a kingdom in the southern part of Sumatra, Indonesia, in the province of South Sumatra, specifically in the region of Palembang.

Why is the princess named Putri Jelitani?

She is named Putri Jelitani because she was born during the dry season (kemarau), and the king also referred to her as Putri Kemarau.

What tragic event happens shortly after the princess's birth?

The queen, the princess's mother, dies shortly after giving birth to Putri Jelitani, which causes great sorrow in the kingdom.

What happens to the kingdom after the queen's death?

After the queen's death, the kingdom experiences an unusually long dry season, lasting years. This leads to severe drought, famine, and disease, devastating the kingdom.

How does the king respond to the drought?

The king is deeply concerned about the drought and the suffering of his people. He seeks the help of a powerful fortune teller, who suggests appeasing the spirits of a mountain with gold and diamonds.

What is the outcome of the king's decision to follow the fortune teller's advice?

Instead of using the gold and diamonds to appease the spirits, the fortune teller keeps the treasure for himself, and the drought continues, with no rain falling as promised.

How does Princess Jelitani react to the ongoing drought?

As the drought continues, Princess Jelitani grows concerned and frustrated with her father's reliance on fortune tellers. She believes that only God can bring rain and encourages her father to stop depending on others.

What significant event occurs in Princess Jelitani's dream?

In a dream, the late queen appears to Princess Jelitani and tells her that the drought can only end if a young woman sacrifices herself by jumping into the sea.

What does Princess Jelitani decide to do after her dream?

Princess Jelitani decides to sacrifice herself for the good of the kingdom. She tells her father and the people that she is willing to jump into the sea to end the drought.

What happens after Princess Jelitani sacrifices herself to the sea?

After she sacrifices herself, the sky darkens, thunder rumbles, and heavy rain finally falls, ending the long drought. The land becomes fertile again, and the kingdom rejoices.

How does the king react after the princess's sacrifice?

The king is devastated by the loss of his daughter. However, seven days later, a large wave brings Princess Jelitani back to shore, and she is revealed to be alive, having been saved by God due to her selfless sacrifice.

What decision does the king make after the princess's return?

The king, overjoyed to see his daughter again, decides to abdicate the throne and pass the leadership to Princess Jelitani, acknowledging her wisdom and bravery.