indonesian Legend

origin of catfish

Once upon a time, in ancient times, in the Malay Land lived an old fisherman named Awang Gading. He lives alone by the river. His –-day job is to catch fish and sometimes he goes to the forest to find wood.

“Air plug swallow to gills

The water slid into the stomach

Wrenched…!

Let's break up don't unplug,”

That is the word – words that he often said while fishing.

One day he was fishing and found no fish at all. On the way home he listened to a crying baby. Out of curiosity he looked for where the voice came from?..Shortly after searching, he found a tiny baby girl on a rock. It seems that the baby had just been born by his mother, out of compassion, he brought the baby home.

Time keeps going. Dayang Kumunah grew up to be a very beautiful and virtuous girl. He also helped his father very much. But unfortunately, Dayang Kumunah never laughed.

One day, a rich and handsome young man happened to pass in front of Dayang's house. The young man was named Awangku Usop. When he saw Dayang Kumunah, Awangku Usop immediately fell in love with him and intended to ask him immediately. A few days later, Awangku Usop proposed Dayang Kumunah to Awang Gading. After Dayang Kumunah thought for some time, He received the proposal Awangku Usop on condition, never ask me to laugh. Awangku Usop responded to the conditions proposed by Dayang Kumunah.

The marriage took place, but there was an unhappy event after the marriage. Awang Gading died of illness. The incident made the heart of Dayang Kumunah shrouded in feelings of sadness, up to months – months. Fortunately, the grief was soon treated with the birth of her five children.

However, Awang Usop felt unhappy because he had not seen Dayang Kumunah laughing. Since the first meeting until now, Awang Usop's wife has never laughed at all. But one afternoon, Dayang Kumunah with – and his family were on the terrace of the house. They were joking and all the family members laughed happily, except Dayang Kumunah. At that time Awang Usop urged Dayang Kumunah to laugh. He finally laughed after a long laugh. At that moment, a fish gill appeared in his mouth. Dayang Kumunah immediately ran towards the river. And turned into fish.

Awang Usop regretted having urged his wife to laugh. But, it's too late. Fish with a beautiful body shape and shiny skin without scales is what people call as catfish. Before entering the river, Dayang Kumunah advised her husband, “Kanda, take good care of our children.”

Awangku Usop and his children are very sad to see the Dayang Kumunah they love so much has become a fish. They also promised not to eat catfish, because it is considered as their family. That is why some Malays do not eat catfish