Folklore And Fairy Tales

The Origin of Lembar State

In the past, in Kerinci Regency, Jambi Province, there was a kingdom called the Kingdom of the Peak of the Three Kaum. It is so named because the kingdom is led by three brothers, namely the eldest Pamuncak Rencong Talang, the middle Pamuncak Tanjung Sari, and the youngest Pamuncak Koto Tapus.

The territory of the Three Peoples Peak Kingdom is so vast and fertile that to manage it, these three brothers divide the kingdom into 3 parts. Each gets its own share and has the right to govern the territory and the people in it. Although the territory of the Kingdom of the Three Peoples Peak is divided into 3 parts, but all the affairs of the kingdom they always finish with the way of deliberation and mutual help.

Pamuncak Rencong Talang and his two younger brothers were just and wise leaders. This leadership makes the people prosperous, safe, and peaceful. It is customary, if an area is going to plant or when the harvest season arrives, they hold a sagging ceremony. The kenduri that is held after harvest is called Kenuhei Sudeah Nuea. The event is usually held very lively. They invite residents from other regions along with community leaders in the area.

Once, the area of Pamuncak Rencong Talang was harvesting rice and obtained abundant results. He also wants to have a party.

“Okay, brothers and sisters. Our harvest this year is quite abundant. As a thank you for this favor, then the saguri event will be held soon,” said Pamuncak Rencong Talang,

“Please prepare everything necessary, including invitations for guests!”

“Good, Your Majesty,” said the community leaders simultaneously.

Preparation for the ceremony was immediately carried out. The whole area looks busy. Pamuncak Rencong Talang also sent an invitation to his brother, Pamuncak Tanjung Sari and Pamuncak Koto Tapus, along with all his relatives. The event is planned to last for three days. The first day, specifically for invitations from outside the area, the second day for the families of the district and the elderly, and the third day is specifically for the youth and girls.

The time for the sagging event has arrived. On the first day, invited guests from outside the area began to arrive. The event was orderly, safe, and lively. Entering the second day, invited guests from the families of the tamuncak were also present. Pamuncak Koto Talang was present with his family and some of his bodyguards. Meanwhile, Pamuncak Tanjung Sari was only accompanied by his retainers.

On the third day, the beautiful daughter of Pamuncak Tanjung Sari was present accompanied by her mother. Upon entering the party venue, the Princess became the center of attention of the young men. In the back row seats, two young men were whispering about the beauty of the girl.

“Hai, who is that beautiful girl? Do you know him?” whispered a young man to his friend.

“Entahlah. I have never seen the girl before, “ replied the second young man,

“But, looking at her appearance, the girl is not of the ordinary people.”

“Hmmm.. lest he is the family of Pamuncak Rencong Talang,” said the first young man earlier.

While the kenduri event took place, the Princess' mother gathered with the family of Pamuncak Rencong Talang. He deliberately did not join his daughter because the event was special for young people. The show was very lively. All invitations also enjoyed various dishes and art shows held that night.

So excited, they did not realize if the chicken had crowed the sign of the morning. The princess' mother immediately rushed to the event venue to take her daughter home. He was worried that his daughter was sick from lack of sleep.

“My daughter, let's go home!” persuade the mother.

The princess did not heed her mother's invitation. He was still enjoying the party with other invited guests. Because it was not ignored, the mother was reunited with the family of Pamuncak Rencong Talang. A little later, he returned to the party to call his daughter.

“Come on my daughter, we're home! It was noon,” persuaded the mother.

“Hai, Princess. Who is that old woman?” ask the young man.

“Oooh... the old woman is my maid,” replied the princess.

The answer from the princess was heard to the mother's ears. It was unexpected that his beloved daughter would say that. His heart ached like it was sliced open. His beloved daughter did not recognize him as a mother.

“Oh, God. Forgive your sins, my daughter!” the mother's prayer.

After the event was over, Pamuncak's wife Tanjung Sari and her daughter said goodbye to the family of Pamuncak Rencong Talang to return to his area. The journey home takes a long time because the distance to home. They had to pass through valleys, hills, rice fields, and fields. On the way, they met a group of young men who were with the princess last night.

Due to exhaustion, the two groups decided to rest together somewhere. At the break, the young man again asked the princess.

“Sorry, Princess. Who exactly is that old woman you've always been with?” ask the young man.

“Don't I tell you that he's my helper?” answer the princess.

Hearing his daughter's reply to the young man, the mother kept quiet. However, in his heart was buried such a painful feeling. After resting, they continued their journey until they arrived at an area between Sangkar Island and Lolo, an area filled with swamps.

At that moment, the embittered mother prayed to God that her disobedient daughter be swallowed by the mud of the swamp they were about to go through. The heartfelt mother's prayer was granted by Almighty God. As soon as the princess went through the swamp, her feet were stuck in the mud of the swamp. Increasingly, the swamp mud continued to suck the princess until it almost drowned. The disobedient princess roared for help to her mother.

“Mother... Mother...please me!” shouted the princess

“I am not your mother, I am only your old and ugly servant,” replied his mother.

The princess continued to shout for help and promised not to repeat her actions.

“I'm sorry, Mom! I promise I will not be disobedient again to Mother,” said the princess.

Regret then is not good, the mother has already hurt. He also ignored his daughter's request. When he saw his daughter had drowned to the chin, the mother quickly approached her daughter, but not to help, but to take jewelry in the form of a bracelet and a songket (typical scarf Jambi) worn by her daughter.

As soon as he finished taking the items, the princess drowned into the mud of the swamp. Since then, the area was called the Land of Lembat, which is taken from the word mud.

After that, the mother continued her journey. Upon arriving at a place, he took a break to unwind. When he saw a bath (pool), he then approached the pool to wash his body and face. As he was about to wash his face, suddenly his daughter's bracelet fell. The bracelet reminded her of her dead daughter. In order not to constantly remember his daughter, he ended up throwing the bracelet into the debate. Since then, the place is called the Bracelet Debate.

After resting, Pamuncak Tanjung Sari's wife returned to continue the journey. Arriving at a place where there is a pond, he returned to rest. When he was about to wash his body, suddenly his daughter's songket scarf that was wrapped around his neck fell. The old woman remembered her daughter. So that the shadow of the princess does not bother him anymore, he also threw the typical Jambi scarf into a debate. The place was later named Tebat Jambi.