Kalimantan

Showing posts with label Kalimantan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kalimantan. Show all posts

Banjarmasin, Story of kids in English from Indonesia

This story is the history of the meaning of the Banjarmasin. Banjarmasin located in South Kalimantan as part of Borneo Island in Indonesia.

This story of kids in English might have been part of the History of Banjarmasin itself. This story may use as folk tales for children in English from Indonesia.

Long ago, there was a kingdom, Nagara Daha. Princess Kalungsu with her son, Sekar Sungsang, founded the country. Sekar Sungsang was a follower of God Shiva. He built the biggest shrine and phallus in South Kalimantan. The sanctuary named as Candi Laras (the Temple of Laras).

Sekar Sungsang's successor was Maharaja Sukarama. Maharaja Sukarama defeated by Mangkubumi, a rebel.

Prince Samudra was the one who had power reign the kingdom. But, all the people in the palace reign lace could do nothing about it. So, Prince Mangkubumi ascended the throne.

The Nagara Daha Kingdom was in confusion from time to time. Prince Mangkubumi at last killed in a coup d’état by Prince Tumenggung. Since then, he held the power over the kingdom.
Banjarmasin Culture Feast with Yellow Traditional Customs 2015 - Tribunnews.com


The legal heir to the throne, Prince Samudra has evacuated by one of the chief ministers. He has left to a quiet place around the mouth of Barito River. There were villages Balandean, Sarapat, Muhun, Tamban, Kuin, Balitung, and Banjar there.

Among the villages, Banjar located in the most strategic area. Banjar village then developed into a harbor (bandar). Bandar is the city of commerce that was bustling visited by trading ships. These ships come from many different countries.

Patih Masih ruled that Bandar. He knew as Bandar Masih. Patih Masih saw that Prince Tumenggung did not rule the kingdom wisely.

Prince Tumenggung was a greedy king. Patih knew that Prince Samudra was the legal heir to the Nagara Daha Kingdom. He also knew the Prince lived in his area.

Patih Masih invited Patih Balit, Patih Muhur and Patih Balitung. He also invited Patih Kuin to discuss it. They agreed to find Prince Samudra in his hiding place to enthrone him as a king.

"Congratulation! Prince Samudra, support you to be the king," said Patih Masih after they found the Prince.

The ascending of Prince Samudra and Bandar Masih is a center of the kingdom. This center is like the city of commerce. This town made Tumenggung's position became in danger.

Prince Tumenggung did not just sit down to see this situation. Many soldiers sent down to Barito River, and a great battle took place. In this great fight, Patih Masih suggested Prince Samudra to ask for help to the Demak Kingdom.

In his opinion, Demak was the second strongest kingdom after Majapahit.

King of Demak was willing to help Prince Samudra. Prince Tumenggung agreed to be a Moslem. They succeeded in pushing Prince Tumenggung back.

Arya Tarenggana, Patih of Nagara Dipa felt so sad to see a lot of victims fell. The dead soldiers were only ordinary people who did not know anything.

Then he suggested Prince Tumenggung to fight a duel between the two kings. The Kings agreed. Prince Tumenggung and Prince Samudra went up to a deck of a boat that named was Talangkasan.

The two of them brought their swords. The soldiers of the two kingdoms watched the duel. They gave the spirit for each of their kings. When he was face to face with Prince Tumenggung, Prince Samudra did not have the heart to hurt him.

Even so, Tumenggung was his uncle. Thus, he stood still and did not attack him. So, Prince Tumenggung's reaction was different. When he went up to the deck, his face darkened with anger. But, he saw Prince Samudra still stand up. He began to hesitate.

Prince Tumenggung watched the young man in front of him. Prince Tumenggung began to react differently. His anger melted. He just realized that he had authority nephew who was bold and had authority. He ashamed to himself.

When Prince Samudra saw his uncle's face charged, he took back his sword. His uncle did the same thing. He threw his sword and reached out his hands towards his nephew. He hugged Prince Samudra. They both cried.

Prince Tumenggung gave the power back to Prince Samudra. He decided to make Bandar Masin as the capital of the government. People of Nagara Daha moved away to Banjar Masih.

Prince Tumenggung gave the authority to rule over Batang Alai with one thousand people. After being a Moslem, Prince Samudra changed his name into Sultan Suriansyah.

The date of his victory is on September 24, 1526. This time decided as the birthday of Banjar Masih. However, every long dry season, the water got masin (asin or salty). Then, Banjar Masih became Banjar Masin.

The people take sultan Suriansyah's grave care. Many people visited that place. Sultan Suriansyah was the first king of Banjar who was Moslem.

Story of Kids in English: The Crocodiles and The Dayaks

Story of kids in English, The Crocodiles and The Dayaks from East Kalimantan Indonesia.

Hundreds of years ago the Dayak tribe known as one of the most powerful tribes in the world. The tribe lives side by side with their beloved nature peacefully.

This condition has made most of the Dayak men grow as the son of the jungle and well known as the best hunters ever.

There was one animal that cannot be tranquil live side by side. The animal was the crocodile.

One day, a Dayak man who was a good hunter went to the jungle to hunt some animals that can be a cook for his family as a dinner.

The sky was getting dark when he returned home carrying four jungle fowls.

At the end of the forest, near a big river, he startled to see a large crocodile on the path in front of him. The crocodile was staring at him in a strange way.

The man who was aware of the cruelness and bad temper of the crocodile. He tried to avoid the dangerous situation by starting a friendly conversation.

"Where are you going, Mr. Crocodile?" he asked.

"I m looking for some food and was starting swimming up. But then, as I saw you my spirit rose again." said the satirist crocodile.
"Well, why don't you come home with me? I am sure my wife will be happy to cook something for you. Or we can cook these two jungle fowls and have dinner together."

The Dayak thought it was the best way for him to answer the crocodile. He was afraid that if he did not treat the crocodile politely. The crocodile would be angry and tried to eat him up in a tricky way.

"Thank you," replied the crocodile.

"It was an exciting invitation." He was curious to see how the Dayaks lived as had never visited one of their houses before.

Besides, the man was friendly and could talk to him well. It would be an excellent chance for him. An opportunity to live with the Dayak tribe.
Beautiful Girls of Dayak Tribe (visitpulaukalimantan.blogspot.com)
The crocodile eats the meal from Mrs. Dayak had cooked for him.

Then the crocodile said, "I feel welcome and comfortable here. Can I stay with you any longer?"

"Oh, of course," the Dayak said.

He thought that it would make him became a talented man because a crocodile was staying at his house.

"Why don't you allow him to marry our daughter?" his wife asked one day.

"You must be out of your mind!" her husband cried.

"Well, is there something wrong with my idea? Have you never heard the old Dayak story about the crocodile that married a girl? They will change into a handsome and rich young man?"

"I don't believe in fairy stories," Her husband said.

"In real life, it would be possible if you do not like creature like a crocodile to marry a young girl."

"All right," she answered.

"Even if he's not a handsome, wealthy, young man, he will have to work to support you. That's the Dayak custom, don't you remember?"

Finally, the man agreed with his wife's idea. He allowed the crocodile to marry his daughter. He the hope that the crocodile will always support his family.

As the time has gone by, the man soon found out that his son-in-law was lazy and good for nothing. The crocodile only wanted to lie in the sun all day long and show his sharp teeth from time to time.

He refused to do any work. He would not even catch fish for his wife. One day, his father-in-law's supply of rice was lacking. Mr. Dayak tried to force the crocodile to work in the rice field.
The Crocodile

The crocodile refused to do the job. The crocodile threatened Mr. Dayak to give him more food. The crocodile opens his tribe-looking mouth and showing his sharp teeth.

The news of this condition spread to the other villagers. All the villagers soon hated the crocodile.

"What must we do?" they asked each other.

"If we keep quite, all the crocodiles will think that we're afraid of them. We must find a solution to teach the crocodile a good lesson."

Thus one day, while he was sleeping, they jumped on him. They cut into pieces.

The news of what had happened quickly reached the king of the crocodiles. Surprisingly enough, he agreed with what the Dayaks had done.

"Customs are important," he whispered.

"They must always to follow. As he married a Dayak girl, he should have followed the Dayaks customs. He deserved what he got.".

So to this day, a crocodile will not dare to look Dayak in the face or do any harm to him.

Kids Story For English: The Wonderful Dog

This story of kids in English is from Central Kalimantan-Indonesia (Kalimantan Tengah). Kalimantan islands are also call as Borneo Island. One of the biggest islands in this world.

This kids story for English is the story about the legends or myths Kalimantan people. Story about the Goddess of Rice, Liung Indung Bunga.

Kids Story For English From Kalimantan - Indonesia

The Wonderful Dog

Believe it or not, people say that in the village of Sembuluh in Central Kalimantan lives a group of people. Their physics are different from other villagers.

At the age of fifty, the backbone of a man belonging to this group protrudes.  The spine protrudes as much as the length of two fingers, rather like the tail of a dog.

On both sides, the woman's breast are appear five until seven pairs of black dots. It reminiscent of three nipples of a dog.

This group of people said to be descendants of a wonderful dog. About whom a story has retold from generation to generation in Kalimantan. The folk tales or fairy tales of the wonderful dog goes as follows…


There was once a village called Tangkahen, near of Bagalah. This village surrounded by trees in Central Kalimantan. The head of the village lived with his wonderful dog.

He is unlike other dogs. He had the ability to go hunting on his mouth and kill birds in flight only by barking. Whenever the dog barked, birds that happened to be flying in his vicinity would fall dead.

This dog never being short of meat, as the dog provided this. All villagers were grateful to both, to the dog as well on Bagalah. Thus they had come to love them both.

One day, a strange-looking pig passed through the village. The pig known as Bawoi Amai Ueng. This pig had large legs, the hoofs of which not split like ordinary pigs and her snout were as large as a drum.

Then the dog caught sight of her and ran after her. Then this pig ran and arrived at the bank of Lake Sembuluh. Because there was no choice, she decided to cross the lake by swimming. Meanwhile, the dog did not dare to swim.
Sembuluh Lake Central Kalimantan Indonesia (kaderrakyat.blogspot.co.id)

A storm gathered in the sky suddenly. The thunder roared, the wind blew hard, and rain fell, and waves on the lake grew high. Then the pig turned to stone, and the dog changed into a human being.

This spot called Pukang Pahewan became a big village, which was later giving the name of Rangkang.

In the meantime, Bagalah was waiting in vain for the return of his dog. As he still did not appear, then Bagalah made up his mind to search for him.

He strode through the forest and walked over mountain until he reached Rangkang Village. He stayed with Rendan Tingang, the head -of the village.

One day, Bagalah was sitting in his boat. Rendan Tingang was repairing the roof of his homeland of his village. The villagers' fear of the threat of a dreadful famine completely allayed.

Early in the morning, on the day after the heavy rain, Beritu and his wife returned. They come to the field to pick up their daughter's dead body to bury it. Still, it was nowhere to found. Instead, on the ground where the girl met her death, they saw a sort of peculiar grass plant. It had grain fruits.

It was the rice plant, from which rice grain obtained. Beritu and his wife carefully cultivated the useful plant. Since then rice became the staple food of the people of Lingo. Later, for the people throughout the island of Kalimantan.

Up to now, many people of Kalimantan still believe that rice. The rice continue their staple food and the reincarnation of Liung Indung Bunga. Thus, she is regard as the Goddess of Rice.

The End of Kids Story For English: The Wonderful Dog

We can use this “Kids Story For English: The Wonderful Dog” as a short bedtime story for kids. There are many legends and myths stories around Indonesia. Find more English stories for children about Indonesian here.

Story of Kids in English: The Legend of Horn Bills

This story of kids in English comes from Kalimantan or Borneo, from the story of Dayak Tribe or Suku Dayak. You can find another Indonesian story for children from Kalimantan here. The title is The Crocodiles and The Dayaks.

The Story of Kids in English from Kalimantan - Indonesia

The Legend of Horn Bills

One day in the thick side of Kalimantan Jungle (Borneo Island) there is one of Dayak tribe. His name Ketupong. When he was going for hunting, he saw a bird with strange red eyes. He raised his blowpipes to his mouth. "Pssst" – the dart hit the bird. He bent down to pick it up.

Suddenly, it changes into a beautiful dress made of bird's feathers. He put it in a bamboo container he used for his darts. It was so fine made and soft that it could be folded up into a small space. "Have you seen my dress?" He turned around to see who spoke to him.

A lovely girl was standing behind him. He did not know where she comes from. "Yes, "he said, "here it is. But I must not give it to you unless you promise to marry me." He had never seen such a lovely girl before, and his mother was always telling him to get married.
Horn Bill (hornbillstamps.blogspot.com)

The girl agreed, with one condition that he will never ask her to tell him her name. They were soon married. The next year, they have a son. Ketupong and his wife (he just calls her "wife") are happy together.

They love their son dearly. But, Ketupong often sees her wife looking up at the sky. "What are you staring at?" he asked. But she only shook her head. Then he sees his wife weaving two coats. They are the bright green color with a usual pattern with bird's feathers.

"For whom you make those coats?" he asks. "They are for you and our son, "she answers.

"When I finish making these coats, you can wear them to fly up into the sky."

"I don't want to travel," he said. "Silly," she smiled.

"Don't you know who I am? I am Inchin Temaga, daughter of Singalang Burong. My house is in the sky."

Ketupong surprises. He heard of Singalang Burong. He is the Dayak God of war, a great general who never lost a battle. "In that case, my wife must be a Goddess," he thought to himself.

His wife's body covers with feathers suddenly. In a few minutes, her arms change into wings. Then, she flies into the sky.

He tries to stop her, but it is too late. "Come back! Come- back!" he cried.

Her wife voice becomes floating down, "If you want to visit me, wear the coats I have made for you."

Years went by. All this time, the son is sad that he could not see his mother. He looks so unhappy that his father doesn't know what to do.

"Take me to my mom," the boy cried. "I want to see my mom."

"But how can I fly?" ask his father. Then he remembers the coats which his wife left for them. So they put on the coats.


They immediately feel much lighter. Soon they can fly up into the sky. They see a great palace in front of them. The castle gates open and a man wearing a splendid Dayak war dress appears. He is Singalang Burong.

"Welcome, Ketupong," he roared. "My daughter and I have been waiting for you. Why have you been so long?"

Then Inchin Temaga appears. She is not pleased to see her husband as she heard that he had married again.

"Go back to earth"' she told him. "I know that you have another family now. Our son can stay here with me. My father can teach him a lot. He can follow you later." So Ketupong return to earth.

Singalang Burong pleased to see his grandson. He teaches his grandson many useful things.

One day, a giant named Jumbang killed one of Singalang Burong's men. Then he decided to take revenge to that giant. He takes the boy with him and gives him a lesson about how to face such situation like this.

Singalang Burong was able to defeat the giant. When he returned home, the people are happy and held a feast which lasted three days and nights.

After the feast was over, Singalang Burong pointed to the carving of a strange. He looks bird on top of tall people. The birds’ beak pointed in the direction of the giant's house.

What's that, grandfather?" the boy asked.

"It's a hornbill. It is one of the sacred birds of the Dayak. We believe that it will help us beat our enemies in battle."

Later when the boy returns to earth, he teaches all the Dayak people. He teaches what he had learned from his grandfather.

End of Story of Kids in English: The Legend of Horn Bills