The Legend of Mount Tambora

 

Long time ago, in the foot of Mount Tambora, there was a kingdom named Tambora. It was ruled by King Rangga Mandara. Tambora Kingdom was very rich. Its people worked as farmers and fishermen. They caught fish, grew crops, and raised farm animals like cattle, buffaloes, horses, deer, dogs, pigs, etc. Their forest also provided them a great deal of timbers, rattans, honey, and many others. Therefore, many marchants came to Tambora for a trade. They came from other countries like Makasar, and Sumatra.

One day, Tambora people were startled by the coming of some boats with groups of people they had never seen before. The strangers looked peculiar in their caps and white long dress. They brought clothes, fishing and farming tools. Tambora people were interested in these goods. Then, they bartered their natural resources for them.

During their time in Tambora, these merchants did their routine rituals which were quite different from what the local people did. They did it together. One of them stood at front as leader while the others were at back stood in rows and followed every movement of the leader. They did this five times a day; at dawn, at noon, in the afternoon, late in the afternoon, and in the evening. They also opened a thick book and read it together. Tambora people looked on them in amazement.

A leader of a kampoong once came to the Merchants and asked, “Excuse me, we need to know what ritual you do.” Kiyai Saleh, the leader of the merchant, smiled and replied, “Our religion is Islam. We worship only Allah, The Lord of the worlds.” Later, many people came to the Kiyai Saleh and his friends asking the same question. Then, Kyai Saleh told them many things about Islam. Soon many people in the kampoong embraced Islam.

However, some people rejected the presence of Islam because they considered that Islam restricted their life style or freedom. Islam forbade them to eat pork and dog meat. Then, they reported this to King Rangga Mandara. King Rangga was very angry. He rejected the presence of Islam as well.

King Rangga Mandara then made a trick. He held a big party and invited Kyai Saleh and his friends to come to palace. He offered food and drink to them. All people there enjoyed the serving. Kiyai Saleh and his friends did too.

After they finished having meal, King Rangga Mandara asked Kiyai Saleh, “How does the food taste?” Kiyai Saleh replied, “We are grateful for the serving, lord. The food is very delicious”. King Rangga Mandara laughed and said, “Don’t you know that the meats you ate  were pork and dog meat that you forbid us to eat?” Kiyai Saleh was startled and got very angry. “You are accursed, Rangga Mandara! Please notice that sooner or later Allah will sink this Kingdom” said Kiyai Saleh angrily.

Then, Kiyai Saleh and his friends left the party. At that night, they walked along the foot of Mount Tambora to the south. At dawn, they arrived at bay in the south of Mount Tambora. They stopped to worship. They prayed for King Rangga Mandara and his kingdom would be sunk to the ground so that the next generation would learn from it.

Soon the earth trembled. A tremendous earthquake occured. Mount Tambora exploded and sank the Tambora Kingdom. Now, the gulf where Kiyai Saleh and his friends prayed is then named Saleh Bay.

Original Tittle : "Murka Sang Kiyai"      By:  Alan Malingi
Translated By  :    Ikra, S.Pd.   2011