Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Toba Lake: The Gold Fish Folklore

Toba Lake is the volcanic Lake which has 100 km length and 30 km width located at North Sumatera Province Indonesia. This lake is the biggest lake in Indonesia and South East Asia. In the center of the lake there is small island called Samosir Island. Toba Lake already known main tourist destination In North Sumatera besides Lawang Hill, Berastagi and Nias, it attracts domestics and foreign tourist.

It’s around 73.000 - 75.000 years ago there is a supervulcanic eruption made this lake. That is the biggest eruption ever, the explosion threw out at least 2.800 km3 volcanic material, 800 km3 Ignimbrit stones and 2.000 km3 volcanic ashes which are occurred in two weeks. Almost 60% human population nearby was wipe out during that time. It also made a huge crater. along with the time the crater filled with water and became the Toba lake.

The Danau Toba Folklore came from the God curse. Once upon a time there is a village in Sumatera. A farmer lives in village, he work hard but he chooses to live alone although his age is enough of him to get marry. In a beautiful morning the farmer fishing at the nearby river, he wonders “I hope I could catch a big fish today”. After he cast of his pole, he thinks that a fish bite the bait. He found out that a Big Fish has caught.
He was amazed with the beautiful fish scale, It has golden red colored. It’s rounded eyes is so shinny. “Please wait do not eat me, I will accompany you everywhere if you promise not to eat me”. The farmer shocked to hear the fish voice. Because of it, the fish fall down on the floor. A few second later the fish into really beautiful girl. “Have I dream?”  the farmer wonders.

“Don’t be afraid mister, I am also human just like you. I owe you because you saved from the God curse” said that girl. “My name is Puteri, and I do not mind to be your wife” she said it with smile. The farmer agreed to marry her, then they became husband and wife. But there is a promise that must obey. They must never they tell story about Puteri came from the fish. If they broke it there will a huge disaster happen.

Arrived at the farmer village, The villager amazed the beautiful girl walk along with the farmer. “She might be an angel come from the sky” they said. The farmer lives happily, as a good husband He worked hard on his field. Because of his effort he could lived in good condition. So many people envious of him and wanted to discouraged the farmer success. “They might be using some magic” said some of the villager. But the couple ignored them, never got annoy  and even worked harder.

A year later the couple had more happiness because Puteri gave a birth boy baby. They named it Putera. He grown up  to be a healthy and strong boy, he is cute but naughty. He got habit  that made his parent confused, that he always felt hungry. He ate three times a normal people do.
Putera always made his father annoy. He always reject to help his parent work. His wife reminded him to be patient for his son behavior. “I’ll be patient, but somehow he is our only son” said the farmer to his wife. “Thanks dear if you have some thoughts like that, you are really a good husband and a good dad” Puteri said with compliment

Some said patience has a limit. That is How the farmer felt. Some day Putera got a job to bring the food and drinks to field where his dad worked. But Putera did not do his duty, The farmer wait for his son coming with his starve and thirst. He went home and saw Putera playing ball. The farmer got mad and pull his ear. “ungrateful kids! You son of a fish!” swear the farmer never realizes already broke the promise
After he said the words, his wife and his son went suddenly without a trace. From his foot marked of his standing, a water came from it and sprayed it hard. Few hours later The Farmer village has flooded with the water. Drowned by the water made the place became a lake. And the named Toba the small island at the center named Samosir.

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