Folklore And Fairy Tales

Origin of the Blue Lake

Once upon a time, in the region of Galela, North Halmahera, North Maluku, there was a hamlet called Lisawa. This hamlet is still relatively quiet, because it is only inhabited by a few families who occupy some dadaru (home). This hamlet is also classified as a difficult area of water, because almost all of its territory consists of rocks. To get clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing purposes, residents have to walk far. However, the inhabitants always live safe, peaceful, and calm.

In this hamlet a handsome young man who is familiarly called Magohiduuru, and a beautiful girl who is familiarly called Majojaru. They are faithful lovers. Actually, Magohiduuru wants to ask Majojaru immediately. However, he did not dare to convey that intention to his lover, because he realized that to support himself was still difficult, especially if the family. Realizing his condition, Magohiduuru decided to go wandering. Once successful, then he will re-apply Majojaru. He then conveyed his intention to his parents and got his blessing. After that, he soon found his love.

`Adikku! I have something to say to you!” magohiduuru.

“What's up, Brother! Say!” Majojaru.

“My sister! Brother wants to go looking for supplies for the future of both of us. Once successful, Brother will return soon to propose to you. Will Brother be faithful to wait until Brother comes home?” ask Magohiduuru.

Majojaru was stunned for a moment. He was silent with an empty look. His mind flew far away imagining he would be left behind by the Beloved who loved him so much. His heart was very sad to imagine that. However, after thinking with clear sense, he realized that what his lover said was right, for the sake of their better future.

“Alright, Brother! If you are determined to wander, go, Brother! Brother will be faithfully waiting for you. You are the only hope in this life. Sislah love life after Adik,” said Majojaru.

“But, don't forget to come back soon if you've made it!” the message.

How glad Magohiduuru is to hear the Loyal promise and blessing of the Beloved.

“Yes, Brother! Brother promised to return soon, because you belong to his only brother. May Almighty God grant our vow for a living,” said Magohiduuru.

The next day, Magohiduuru said goodbye to Majojaru. Although the two have been willing to separate for a while, Majojaru still holds a heavy heart to let go of his lover, as well as Magohiduuru with a heavy heart must leave his beloved. However, whatever the circumstances, Magohiduuru was determined to wander. He also went to the other country by boarding a sailing ship.

It has been one year Magohiduuru overseas, has not returned. Majojaru's heart was beginning to fidget. One day while walking to the dock, Majojaru saw a ship docking. With great hope, he approached the ship who knew his long-awaited lover was among the passengers. He watched every passenger who got off the ship closely. All the passengers got off the ship, but the person they were looking for was not visible. Finally, he ventured to ask the whereabouts of his lover to one of the crew.

“Excuse me, Sir! Can I interrupt for a moment?” majojaru.

“Yes, what's wrong? Can I help you?” ask the crew of the ship.

“Iya, Sir! Do you know my lover, Magohiduuru? If not wrong, a year ago he boarded the ship Tuan headed to the other country. Have you heard of it?” Majojaru asked back.

“Ooo... Magohiduuru, the poor handsome young man,” replied the crew.

Hearing that answer, Majojaru was shocked.

“Hai, what do you mean by that poor young man? What happened to him, Mister?” asked Majojaru curiously.

The crew also said that a month ago Magohiduuru died overseas due to an accident while at work. It was like being struck by lightning in broad daylight Majojaru heard the bad news. He seemed to not believe the fate that befell his lover. Destroy all hope. The promise of loyalty to live as much as they ever pledged was lost.

With a sad heart and a limp body, Majojaru staggered back home. Before arriving at the village, he sought shelter to calm his heart. He sat on the rocks under a banyan tree lamenting the fate that had befallen his beloved. She cried for three days and three nights. His tears continued to flow unstoppably like a broken embankment. Over time, his tears flooded and drowned the rocks he was sitting on until he drowned and died. Shortly thereafter, a small lake formed whose water was as clear as tears and bluish in color.

“Hai, why suddenly there is a lake in this place?” muttered.

Without much thought, the person immediately informed the existence of the lake to the residents of Lisawa Hamlet. Hearing the news, the residents were in an uproar. The traditional elder (kampung head) along with several residents immediately flocked to see the lake. Upon arriving at the place, they were astonished and confused.

“Hai, do you understand when the source of this spring appears?” ask the traditional elder to the first citizen to find the lake.

“No, Sir! The soot was already there when I passed this place,” replied the resident.

“Wah, is this a sign that something bad is going to happen in our village, sir?” sahut another citizen.

“Entahlah. But, we must investigate the cause of the onset of this lake,” said the elder adat.

Finally, the traditional elders and some of the people returned to the village. The customary elder immediately hit the dolodolo (bentongan) to gather all his citizens. Before long, the residents had gathered in his yard.

“Okay, my whole people! Know it! In our village, a strange event has just happened. A small lake suddenly appeared at the edge of the village. Therefore, we must hold a traditional ceremony to uncover the mystery of the existence of the lake!” exclaim custom elders.

Hearing that call, the village elders immediately prepared all the needs to hold a traditional ceremony of summoning ancestral spirits and worshiping Jou Giki Moi or Jou Maduhutu (God Yang Esa or God the Creator). After a while the traditional ceremony took place, there was a whisper from their noble spirit that sounded like the following:

“Timbul from sininga irogi de itepi sidago kongo formerly de i uhi imadadi ak majobubu”. (That is: Arising from a broken heart, shedding tears, flowing and flowing into a spring).

Getting the answer, the customary elder closed the ceremony and immediately rang the dolodolo. Before long, the residents also gathered to listen to the findings to be delivered by indigenous elders.

“Okay, citizens! Know it! The existence of the lake was caused by the tears of a girl due to heartbreak left dead by her lover,” said the traditional elder.

As soon as the customary elder finished conveying the statement, the atmosphere became silent. All the people present wondered in their hearts who the lovers were. In the midst of the silence, the traditional elder spoke up again and asked the citizens.

“Hai, which one of you is currently a family member not in this village?” ask the customary elder.

Hearing that question, the citizens looked at each other. Each was busy counting the number of his family members. After a while, a middle-aged man raised his hand. He is the father of Magohiduuru.

“I, Sir!” sahut Magohiduuru's father.

“Who is your family member and where did it go?” ask the customary elder.

Magohiduuru's father also said that a year ago his son named Magohiduuru went wandering, but has not returned. As soon as the middle-aged man finished telling the story, Majojaru's father told him that his daughter, Majojaru, had not returned home for three days. He searched everywhere but could not find it. He also told me that in fact, his daughter and Magohiduuru were lovers and they had promised each other for a lifetime.

From the description of Magohiduuru and Majojaru's father, the traditional elders suspect that something happened to the lovers. After being traced everywhere, they finally got news from the crew that Magohiduuru had died overseas. They were also informed that Majojaru had learned of his lover's death. Hearing all the information, the traditional elders and all residents of Lisawa Village also believed that the formation of the lake came from Majojaru's tears because of crying over the departure of his lover. In memory of the sad event, the locals named the lake Telaga Biru, because the water is as clear as tears and bluish in color. They promised to take care of and care for the lake.