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Sangkuriang, Symbol of Ancient Sundanese Philosophy
 By Nenny
Wirakusumah

 Over I lie fertile, bea valley- ami mountains oi
iMumyangan once upon .1 lime mere ruied a veiy wise king. King
Barmawijava. ruler ot 'The Land ol Heavenly beings" was very tamous
lor his |ust and wise reign over his country- He hail no reason to
he unhappv except lor one tiling that was the only dark spot in his
lile. The Praines-wari (queen consort) couldn't hear him a child- It
was the dream ol every king at thai time to have a successor ol his own
Mood to continue the dynasty-One day the king t'ell a sudden desire to
go hunting. Accompanied by some ollicial and attendants, the ruler went
into the forest. Alter some moments he found a deer running swiltlv-
Now the horse ol the king was certainly the lastest ol all horses,
so. when he went after the deer in hot pursuit, in no time he lett the
other hunters far behind- Suddenly the ruler was chooked to find that
the deer had disappeared. He found himself alone in the middle ot the
dense jungle not knowing which way to turn. It was almost dr.rk when he
finally Rot down from his horse. As he passed urine, it happened that
the waste poured into an open coconut chell that lay on the ground-

 Alter the king lett the place, a white sow or lemale pig named Njai
Tjeleng Pulih passed there. She felt thirsty. found the mine and drank
it to the last drop. Surprisingly however, the pig became pregnant,
and several months later she gave birth to a beautiful human baby-girl-

 A year later, as king Bar-mawidjava went hum ing again, in the same
place in
 ????-        .---".-. ,..-        .-,..         .-..-,_,

 watched over by the swine. l;pon his order, one of his attendants
drove the swine away, lifted the babv oil the ground and presented her
to his maiestv-
 On lemming to the palace the king handed the pretty
baby to his queen, warning her not to reveal the secret origin of the
child to anyone else The attendants who had accompanied him hunting
in the forrsi were ordered to keep their mouths shut tight-Iv. under
threat of a severe punishment
 The queen was very happy and raised
the child with all care. They named the baby Davang Sumhi and cheated
her as a royal princess- As she grew into a voune lady, her beautiful
appearance he-came famous far and wide. Many princess from other lands
come to the Court of Parahivangan for her hand in marriage- But. Davang
Sumbi alwa\s refused aiiv proposal to her hand. apo!ogi/ing that she
still young to inn"-'
 Then one day the beautiful princess same into
the presence ol her foster parents Thev were shocked as Davang Sumhi
told them that she wanted to be a heimit- She would retreat herself u>
the forest to conduct solemn mediation-
 On hearing this the queen
stated at her daughter as though her heart had stopped heating How
could it be ? \Vas there anything the princess had not \e( possessed
? She and the kmg had always granted their foster daughter whatever
she wished lor. Now. all ol a sudden, she wanted to le.ue the comforts
of lile- VVhai was the reason. Someone at the court had whispered to
her the secret of her birth. HOW shameful. Horn Irom a lemale pig-
linking and queen had tried whatever lht-v could to persuade her lo
st.n At lasi. much ai'.amsi their wishes. the\ could do nothing but
let (he princess Jo \\hat she wanted- I he queen fainted as she s.u\
I he pitiiess left the pal,in- accompanied hv some attendants and
one of the ministers ot state Ihe
 Jl|jj__wem_to    a    i-i'll.llri
nl.i-.i-.
 is am body who could got it for me. if she- is a woman
I will rrake her my sister, and it he is a man, then I am willing to
marry him".
 Now beneath the cabin on the ground there was Tumang lying
half asleep. Being as obedient friend he know what he h.id to do. He
picked the shuttle up in his mouth anil climbed up the ladder of the
hut, bunging the weaving instrument back to his mastress. Havana Smv-hi
was only too gl id lo have it back. Bin then she remembered the pledge
she had just made, although it had not been meant serious-Iv. Being a
hermit, she now realised that she had to he careful with her words. 1
he-sight ot 'I umang standing be-tore her began lo frighten her and
tilled with hatred towards the dog. she harshly went him away. The
dog. however, kept.staring at her. unwilling fo turn away as though
he-wanted to insist that the hermit had to fulfill her pledge.
It seemed to lie the will of heaven that Dayang Sumbi then felt
asleep. Her body weakened and at lest she became unconscious......
Alter that incident. Davang Sumhi became pregnant. Several months later
she born a healthy baby-bov, whom she named Sangkuriang. From early
childhood the boy practised hunting and Tumang always accompanied and
guarded him wherever he went.
 One day. when Sangkiiriang had reached
ten years of age. Dayang Sumbi told her son that she wanted the liver
of the deer tor her meal.
 "I have not eaten it for a very long time"
she said "So,, go hunting with your friend Tumang".
 the cabin and
went deeper into the loresl. lor hours he-wandered, searching for a
deer to shoot with his arrow. l.'n-lortunatelv. he could not lind even
a footprint of the desired animal. He was almost ready to give in when
he saw a white sow passing, "thinking that the liver ol a pig might not
ditlerenl very much Irom that of a deer, he decided to shoot the white
sow. But the biasl disappeared into the wilderness and when he was
about to send Tuirang to follow the sow He loiind out that the dog kept
hiding himself alter him. And hot of anger. Sangkiiriang sluitited out:
"Damn. you la/v dog. What is the matter with you .
 But the tailhlul
dog. usually always obedient and willing to meet his master's wishes
behaved ibis time on the con-tiary very strange.
 Instead kepi standing
slea-dilv on his place. How Sang-ktirLing's anger turned atlam-ed. Out
ol Us sciabbed he diew his sword and drew it sliiked to the anxious,
in full doubling standing beast. Without ' any noi>e the laith-tull
dog did tall on the ground. Dead and irolionU'ss he laid there. The
tongue still hanging ol pain out ol his mouth. The eves slaring dully
at him in stilness as it il would say "why you have done it to me".
Meanwhi'e, twilight had already fallen. Soon it would Incompletely
daik and still Sang kuriang had not yet met any living deer, the
more ;i deer's liver.
 Then it (lashed through his biain. "Is not the
liver of a deer as same as a dog's liver"? And without keeping more
questionings to himselves he immediately began slicing and stripping
llie dead body. I'nii) the liver was taken out. His mission was
completed finally.
 It happened how jovlul Da-v.liV-: Sumbi was alter
her son's homecoming. taking with the toodslult she had so longed
tor. Alter readily cooked, (?he invited her son Iriendly to have
eveiiinn-iueal and lo taste the liver lo.ucthei. However. Sanuktiiiang
it-liised to take the single piece ol il.
 spirits who were learning
him enchanting additions, but onlv to practice devilish deeds and
making harm to human beings. These actions lie usual* carried out at
night when all htin-an beings were resting dteplv in their beds. But
as soon as sunrise came through 'hen he kepi himsell hiding between
abundant leave and bunches of huge old-aged trees. In turn, it were
these dav light hours that were lor-ming his resting hours, ashamed
as he was to meet any ordinary human being.
 I rom all memories of
the paat. completely loosened in vain, he only could remember one
sentence: Born Irom a dog". How shameful. how lowful, he is a dog's
son. it could not be.
 lime had gone and years passed, and finally
Sangkiiriang, raised up in loneliness in midst of the wilderness had
already reached his adulthood: a bold and handsome-looking.
 But in
the lonely log-cabin, Davang Sumbi. spinning and weaving as always,
meanwhile kept constantly praying for her beloved son's safety. Sure,
il was great sin lo murder his own father. But had the boy even any
knowledge when he had done it ? She instead had fault to let him
going on his way, ignorant from real existence of lile.
 It happen
that on some bright morning. Sangkiiriang came to the place where
he was born. And Irom far away he saw a beautiful-charming lady
absorbed in her weaving. Beside she was such delicate, her movings
and manners such elegant that he motionless kept staring at her. not
knowing what to sav. Though all in the whole was something dear to
him, but he had not
 of happenings in the past. All in the whole
happened to be such exciting now to him. While Dayang Sumbi by powers
of constantly meditating had kept her charm and beauty, as if she
was still the same young lady like long before, when she was about
to enter the life, of hermit.
 Davang Sumbi, as if electri-ficied
by some strange forc-leelings. finally looked up-from her work,
siraightly into the gaze of her son. But also she could not even
remember him anymore. grown and completely changed as he was in outlook
and appearance. Then, kindly she invited him to come into her place
and having some rest some-while. As conversations and talks became
more and more friendly. Such, at last he dared to make proposal for
a marriage.
 lint il was on some moment, when he had his look ga/ed
to a certain direction and a mild brey/e kept playing with his hair,
that she saw a big soar on right-part of his forehead. How shocked
she was of lovness to have her darling safely back home again. But at
the same time she also was tilled with feelings of horror: "Marrying
her own son" ?
 Then she suddenly embrased him. caressing him with
well-known sweet words from days of (he past long betore. She again
and again made him understand that he was her beloved son. whom she
had beaten until he had tied away Irom her. long. long ago. Then,
she mentioned any existence of T umang. a faith-ful dog. which was
his lather.
 But Sangkuriang pretended not lo understand though in
(lie real he siill remembered any sentence cloeving in his memories :
Born from a dog." Mother, or no mother, he should marry her. There-was
no outwav.
 But Dayang _ Sumbi. riot loosing her mind had found an
outwav. She was willing 10 mairy him il only he could make a great
lake and a big prow lor sailing on honeymoon at the lake. But all
this had to be finished, onlv m
 But as soon as Sangkiiriang becan-e
acquinted that in the real all this was nothing then viness. With the
help of his old friends, all evilness of the wilderness, the gigantic
work had been begun.
 Frightened and full ot hoi ror. Dayang Sumbi
almost observed how at far-midnight the gigantic work was in nearly
finishing state. Sunri se was still far at sight and succeeded in
meeting this very wish lor her ?
 But again she found an out way. at
last. Now. somewhere in her cabin she had sheap of sampled boerangrang
(wea ying gap products). And immediately she stavved these products
into east direction. This cave the look as if sun rise would break
through.
 Immediately all cocks began to crown on sight of this
glitterings in complete darkness. This was really a terrible shock
to the absorbed working Sangkuriang that he gave the prow much a
terrible kick with his feeih, that finally at felt down somewhere in
the distance in turning-over state. This overturned prow happened to
be the today Gunting Tangkuban Perahu. While the great lake, later
on dried away became the valley of Bandung.
 motner's strick. he ran
after him in flaming anger. But when on a certain moment he nearly
had grisned her... there...away she disappeared into the unknown. Her
praying wore beared: she was exalted in all glory to heaven together
with her physcal body. While- Sangkuriang. sooking and grooming kept
heading southwards, up to the south, where finally he was received by
the beckening arms of Nv'ai loro Kidul. ruler of the Indian Ocean.
INTERPRETATION :
 Thought .both origined from the Owncral Clasce. white
pig seems a bad worran. similar to hostess-rank -of nowadays. While
dog meant rank of guard or attendant etc. Still the final destiny is
up to the individual's own choice of life.
 Dayang Sumbi. who preferred
penscuces of oneself was exalted to heaven.
 While Sangkuriang. though
her son, finally was thrown to the world of sin and lust which also was
forming his own choice of life.
 Here we see that not only aristocracy
have the right to accend to heaven like mostly all stones from wayang
are invoking, but also people from the lowest rank.


===========================================================
Sangkuriang-legend and the Symbol of Ancient Sundanese 
philosophy cq Democracy
 by Nenny Wirakusumah

 Symbol
of ancient Sundanese philosophy cq DEMOG-RA
 If you ate coming to
Ku-ningan arid Majalengka; terto tiry, then you will see there a hill
with the shape of an overturned prow like Gunung Tangkubanprahu in
Bandung. It could be merked some spe cialness that also these hills
are being connected with the same Sangkuriang-legend like it is with
Tangkubanprahu of Bandung.
 Having observed all these existences, then
you begin questioning yourselves: "What does this Sangkuriang-legend
means ?" Sangkuriang-legend is forming a philosophic way of thinkings,
so to say: The ancient is forming a philoso phy namely DEMOCRACY,
invoking the meaning of TO LERANCE IN POLITICS
 Herewith the writer
would like to present our dear read ers mentioned Sangkuriang-legend
which could be inter pieted from all kinds of points and views. Briefly
taken, S-ngkuriang-legend is an et-ternal philosophy invoking the
essence of Eternal life i-t> selves. Unlike Borobudur plan - ted by
ancestors being a mo nutrient through the ages. Such the Sundanese
had plan ted their philosophy, spar-king-clear and simple, as sim pie
as life itselves, being a monument and sign to all hu man beings all
over the world. 

INTERPRETATION:
 Unlike all stories, Western whether
Oriental, also this legend is verifying the meaning of The eternal
battle bet ween good and evil. Except for this indication: Since this
legend could be takea literally as well, as symbolical ly, and also
could be viewed from several points of view.
 Such this simple legend
co uld be indicated a monumen
 tal Mark in the history and long march
of Phylosophycal Truth and Wisdom. For, the essence of life, existing
in '. "ewrhity, monurnented in'Sang 'kuriang is in1 .fact very clear
and simple strechted like the Sangkuriang-legend itselves. All is
up to the individuals" own choise of life cq Sangku riang ot Dayang
Sumbi-philo sophy with consequences and results io match.
 In face,
this essence is also strechted clearly and simple in all passages
and phrases from the Qur'an. From begin ning I'll end whatever
point or questionaire the Qur'an is handling, it' always is invoking
the essence: The eternal battle between good and evil ei Said with
Sangkuriang-terms : It is up to the indivi duals' own choice of life:
Sangkuriang whether Dayang Sumni philosophy.
 it are above ail these
main themas that Sundanese are more easier to absorbe them s"ives
to the Islam then Javanese.
 J    Because Javanese philosophic wa
yof thingkins, rooted in complicated stories of the wayang-play are
rooted with stories always strechted round about royalhood and aris
toe racy.
 But in Sangkuriang-legend are being handled all levels of
human 'beings : AristOcra cy, the folk or whether sym bolically taken
cq. human-qualities and characters to match.
 According to meanings
veri fied in Sangkuriang-legend we herewith would like to present our
dear readers its Main Themas :

Dog and pig are symbolically-taken like the following: 

 1) People of low-rank cq the folk
fathful  dog =   sevant,   alien, . danl,  guard or     any of  thai kind.
 pig =   woman     of    hostess rank/prosiitue level 
 2) Human  beings with  dog/ swine character 'qualities^; 
 3} Go 'hunting' is   literatly-ta   * ken.  But symbolically it ; 
means Hunting for women which is also an eternal phenomena among   men   
behaviours. 
 4)Sangkuriangs' trials in the construction of a gigantic la ke   and
its   matching   equipment^ is indential to the long march  of humans'
trials  for development' and    cultivation of life existences. Bui
finally will  reform  into nothingness again. Or so to    say:
trials to  Pembahgunan 
 5") All is up to the individuals' own choice of life. 
Dayang    Sumbi    philosophy: Prefering   ascending   to Heaven, even 
she    is offspringed from      ordinary/ bad-charade red people
Sangkuriang-philosophy : Is fi nalhy united into the world
of evil spirits, this is also forming his own choice of life, cq the
glittering and gla mour of material world exis tences. Compare with'
slories invoking in wayang-plays : Always handling royalhood and
aristocracy
 6) All glamour-glittering of world existences finally
will reform into nothingness again-. Unlike so many txis ting kingdoms
in history through the ages.
 7) DUST THOU ART AND . UNTO DUST THOU SHOULD RETURN.

 Now we have any understanding on which root Sunda ntse
philosophis way of rrrng kings are based It is also up to you whether
you are being invited to digg more dee per in all about Sundanese. '

 May be, you also could dis cover or find some precious stones or
valuable jewelries hidden behind gigantic slones (r solid rocks of
siones-harde ned human civilization of no ivadays.


===========================================================
Love stories hidden in beautiful West Java
by Nenny Wirakusumah 

SUBANG, West Java (JP): There are a beautiful love stories behind
some of West Java's most beautiful scenery.
For the Sundanese people of West Java, Gunung Cinta (literally means
Mountain Love), Curug Jodo (Lovers Fall) and Curug Panganten (Newlyweds
Fall) can never be separated from two tragic love stories. Some believe
that somehow these places have some magical power over their own love
lives.
Gunung Cinta and Curug Jodo in Subang regency, about 35 kilometers
north of Bandung capital city, are said to have that power.
"If a couple of lovers visit Gunung Cinta, they won't make it to their
wedding day. They will break up," Oding, an elderly native of Subang
working in Ciater recreation resort, told The Jakarta Post.
However, some people said, if you have trouble finding a husband or
wife, take a bath under Curug Jodo. Sooner or later you will find
your love.
Some people may laugh at that, but it is said that some foreigners,
including from European countries, have visited the fall and had their
wishes come true. Located inside the recreation resort of Ciater,
the fall still attracts foreign tourists because of its beauty.

Legend
Oding said the belief about Gunung Cinta and Curug Jodo originated
from the legend of Dayang Sumbi and Sangkuriang.
Once upon a time, lovely half-fairy-half-human Dayang Sumbi asked
her young son, Sangkuriang, to hunt for their meal. He took his dog
Tumang, which was actually his fater.
However, the hunt was unsuccessful and, afraid to upset his mother,
Sangkuriang killed Tumang and brought his mother his meat. Dayang
Sumbi found out where the meat came from and in her rage, she hit
her son's forehead, causing a deep wound, and chased him away.
After years of wandering alone, Sangkuriang suddenly met a beautiful
young woman near a waterfall, the Curug Jodo, and fell in love.
Sitting with Sangkuriang's head on her lap amidst the beautiful
scenery of the palace which is now Gunung Cinta, the woman listened to
Sangkuriang declaring his love.
She reached out to brush away the young man's hair and found a deep
scar. It was then that she, Dayang Sumbi, who had never aged and kept
a youthful appearance, realized that she had fallen in love with her
own son.
Dayang Sumbi then tried to trick him into leaving her by giving him
impossible tasks. She asked him to build a large boat overnight. The
hero set to work instantly and before dawn a boat started to take
shape.
In her panic, Dayang Sumbi shook off her shawl and suddenly a white
streak appeared on the horizon, causing roosters to start crowing. This
place, Kapuk Nahun village, is now covered with white mist most of
the year.
Angrily Sangkuriang kicked the boat upside down. This place is now the
recreation resort of Tangkubang Parahu (literally means the upside-down
boat) and chased Dayang Sumbi. The lake where they were supposed to
sail away is believed to be Ciater, now a recreation resort.
It is also supposed that the lake could be seen from a place called
Tenjo Layar, or the place for watching the sails.
Dayang Sumbi ran to a place which is now called Gunung Puteri or
the Princess Mountain and dropped her ring. The earth opened up and
swallowed them both.

Spring
The road leading to Subang regency from Bandung or Jakarta itself is
a feast for the eyes. Smooth roads sandwiched between a rubber forest
take you to Gunung Cinta and Curug Jodo, while small green hills give
you a rest from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Apart from Curug Jodo, Ciater recreation resort is famous for the hot
water spring which comes from Mount Tangkuban Parahu. The sulphuric
water is comfortably hot, about 42 degrees Celcius.
People believe the water cures many skin diseases, even severe
ones. Visitors suffering from paralysis, even, are said to have been
cured by taking hot baths.
Last year alone, almost  42,000  tourists  from all over the world
visited the
resort. There were also about 815,000 domestic tourists, who came
for picnics or to seek cures for many diseases.
Certainly, instead of looking for cures, some of them came for a
rendezvous in Curug Jodo. Abdul Fatah, a staffer at the resort, said
that the waterfall was so beautiful and strategic that many youths
used to meet their lovers there.
"And the management built this resort in such a way to attract young
lovers," he said. "If they then meet someone and fall in love, well,
we don't need the magic spell of the falls for that."
The resort how offers not only hot water swimming pools, but also
a picnic park, restaurants, bungalows, jogging track, rowing boat,
camping ground and weekly cultural performances:
There are even personal hot water bathrooms for those who are
uncomfortable swimming with other people. There is also a beautiful
small mosque situated right at the back of Curug Jodo.

Newlyweds
The incessant rain forced the recreation park's staffers to constantly
wear raincoats but parents took their toddlers up and down the hill
for
some sightseeing braving the rain.
If you are a newlywed couple and hope to have a long and happy
marriage, visit Curug Panganten, about 12 kilometers north of Bandung.
Just a few years ago many people still left sesajen or food offerings
for the "guardian spirits" of the place, said Koko, a young father
who lives in Cimahi district.
"There are people who still ? believe that newlywed couples who
come here will have their wishes granted by making the offering,"
Koko said.
However, the story behind the falls was a tragic one. Years ago,
a girl married a young man from another village.
After the wedding ceremony, the groom took his bride walking on a
bamboo bridge over the waterfall, but a sudden flash flood swept them
away.
People then started to call it Curug Panganten and believed that the
spirits of the couple guarded the place and blessed it.
The place itself is beautiful. Several years ago many picnickers still,
visited it. Local authorities had provided long, winding staircases
to the bottom of the small valley to help people reach the creek
under the falls.
Unfortunately, the small, road from Lembang town leading to Curug
Panganten is in a very bad condition. Taking a car there is _ a
stomach-churning experience. : '
Even more unfortunate was the fact that the resort had been converted
into a real estate compound. Pretty houses sprung up just meters away
from the falls.
And security guards watched over the only small road leading to the
place, barring visitors from entering. Well, you could enter if you
gave him some money.
On the way home, Koko sang a famous Sundanese song and translated the
meaning, revealing the rich feeling of the people, especially about
love.