Folklore And Fairy Tales

The Origin of the Bali Strait

One day in Bali, there lived a powerful brahmin named Sidi Mantra. Sanghyang Widya or Batara Guru presented the brahmin with property and a beautiful wife. After several years of marriage, the brahmin and his wife had a son named Manik Angkeran.

Manik Angkeran grew up to be a handsome and clever young man. However, the young man liked to gamble. He often lost while gambling, and was forced to place his parents' belongings as a bet. The young man was also not ashamed of taking out loans. Unable to pay debts from his gambling habit, Manik Angkeran asked his father for help. Sidi Mantra fasted and prayed for the help of the gods. Suddenly, he heard a voice, "Sidi Mantra, there is a treasure guarded by a dragon named Naga Besukih in the crater of Mount Agung. Go there and ask the dragon to give you some of his treasure."

Sidi Mantra went to Mount Agung and overcame all obstacles during her journey. Arriving at the edge of the crater of Mount Agung, he sat cross-legged. As he rang the bell, he cast a spell and called out the name of Dragon Besukih. Not long after, the dragon came out. Upon hearing Sidi Mantra's visit to the crater, Naga Besukih wriggled, and from his scales came out gold and diamonds. After saying thank you, Sidi Mantra implored herself.

After returning home, Sidi Mantra gave the treasure she got from the dragon to Manik Angkeran, hoping that he would not gamble again. However, Manik Angkeran suddenly spent all the treasures that Sidi Mantra had given him. Not long after that, Manik Angkeran again asked his father for help. However, Sidi Mantra was disappointed and rejected her son's request.

After arriving at the crater of Mount Agung, Manik Angkeran rang the bell. He became extremely frightened when he saw the Besukih Dragon. Upon hearing Manik Angkeran's intention of visiting the dragon, Naga Besukih said, "I will give you the treasure you asked for, but you must promise to change your behavior. Don't bet anymore. Remember the law of karma."

Manik Angkeran was amazed to see gold, diamonds, and jewels in front of him. Evil intentions then defeated his heart. Wanting to obtain more treasures, Manik Angkeran slashed the tail of the Besukih Dragon as the dragon turned its body to return to its nest. Manik Angkeran immediately fled the place with fear. However, Manik Angkeran did not know that the dragon was a very powerful creature. When the dragon licked the feet of Manik Angkeran on the ground, Manik Angkeran burned to ashes.

Seeing the death of his son, Sidi Mantra became very sad. He immediately searched for the Besukih Dragon and begged his son to come back to life. Naga Besukih granted Sidi Mantra's request, on the condition that Sidi Mantra return the dragon's tail back to normal. Then, using his strength, Sidi Mantra healed the tail of the dragon normally. After Manik Angkeran is revived by the dragon, Manik apologizes and promises not to repeat his actions again. Sidi Mantra knew that her son had repented, but she decided that she could not live together with Manik Angkeran anymore.

"You have to start a new life" said Sidi Mantra. In a blink of an eye he disappeared. In the place where he stood appeared a source of water that grew increasingly larger like the sea. With supernatural powers, Sidi Mantra makes a line that separates her from her son. This story is the basis for the origin of the Bali Strait, which separates the island of Bali from Java.