indonesian Legend

origin of the enau tree

In ancient times, in a village located in Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, there lived a couple with two young children. His first son was a man named Tare Iluh, while the second was a woman named Beru Sibou. The little family seemed to be living well together and happy.

However, the happiness did not last long, because the husband as the head of the household died, after suffering from illness for some time. After the death of her husband, the wife who had to work hard, slam bones every day to support her two young children. As she worked hard every day, she became ill and eventually died.

Si Tare and her little sister, now orphans. Fortunately, their parents still have close relatives. Since then, the Tare and her sister have been taken care of by their aunt, their father's sister.

Time keeps going. Si Tare Iluh grew up to be a dashing young man, while his younger brother, Beru Sibou, grew up to be a beautiful teenage girl. As a young man, of course Si Tare Iluh has started to think mature. Therefore, he decided to go wandering to make money from his own sweat, because he did not want to constantly be a burden for his foster parents.

“My sister, Beru!” so the Tare Iluh called his sister.

“What's up, Bang!” answer Beru.

“We have long been nurtured and lived by aunty. We are now adults. I as a boy felt obligated to help auntie make a living. I want to go on a trip to change our fate. What do you think, sister?” tare Iluh asked her sister.

“But, how about me, Bang?” Back to asking.

“My sister! You're here to accompany aunt. If I have managed to get a lot of money, I will immediately return to accompany my sister here,” refer Tare to his sister.

“Alright, Bang! But, Brother do not forget to return immediately if it works,” said Beru allows his brother, although with a heavy heart.

“Sure, My Sister!” tare said with complete confidence.

The next day, after saying goodbye to his aunt and sister, Tare Iluh set out to wander into the land of the people. After the death of his brother, Beru Sibou was very sad. He felt he had lost everything. His brother, Tare Iluh, as his only brother who had never separated since childhood left him. The girl could only hope that her brother would come back soon and bring a lot of money.

For weeks, months, even years he waited for his brother, but never came. There was no news of his brother's condition. He doesn't know what he's doing overseas. Meanwhile, Tare Iluh is overseas not looking for a decent job, but gambling. He assumed that by winning gambling, he would earn a lot of money without having to work hard.

But unfortunately, the Tare Iluh only once won in gambling, which is when he first played gambling. After that, he continued to lose, so that the money that had been collected was eventually used as a bet. Because he continues to hope to win in gambling, then he also borrowed money to the locals for betting money. But again he suffered defeat.

Not felt, the debt was getting piled up and he could not pay it off. As a result, the Tare Iluh was also shackled by the locals. One day, the bad news reached Beru Sibou's ear. He was very sad and concerned to hear the situation of his brother who suffered greatly in the land of people. With enough supplies, he went to find his brother, though he did not know where the country was.

For days Beru Sibou walked without direction and purpose by walking through the wilderness and crossing the river, but had not found his brother. Once, Beru Sibou met with an old man.

“Sore, My grandson!” Can you help grandpa?”

“Iya, Cake! Did you ever meet my brother?”

“Who's your brother's name?”

“Tare Iluh, Cake!”

“Tare Iluh…? Sorry, Grandchild! Grandpa never met him. But, it seems like Grandpa has heard of his name. If not wrong, he is a young man who likes to gamble.”

“True, Cake! I have also heard the news, even he is now shackled by the residents where he is now.

Does Grandpa know where the country is?

“Sorry, Grandchild! Grandfather also did not know where the country was. But if I may, Grandpa would like to suggest something.”

“What is Grandpa's suggestion?”

“Climb a tall tree. After reaching the top, sing while calling your brother's name. Maybe he can hear it. After giving his advice, the Grandfather left immediately. While the Beru Sibou, without thinking anymore, he immediately looked for a tall tree and climbed it to the top. Arriving at the top, the Beru Sibou immediately sang and called his brother while crying. He also begged the people of the country who installed his brother to let him go.

For hours Beru Sibou sang and shouted at the top of the tree, but no one heard him. But that didn't make him desperate. He continued to sing and scream until he ran out of energy. Finally, he immediately raised his hands and prayed to Almighty God.

“Yes, God! Please help this servant. I am willing to pay off all my brother's debts and let my tears, hair and my whole body be used for the benefit of the people of the country who bought my brother.”

Just now the sentence of the plea was released from the mouth of the Beru Sibou, suddenly the wind blew strong, the sky became cloudy, heavy rain fell with a thunderous sound followed. A moment later, the body of the Beru Sibou suddenly transformed into an enau tree. Her tears transformed into palm wine or nira which is useful as a drink.

Her hair is transformed into a rib that can be used for the roof of the house. His body transformed into an enau tree that can produce kolang-kaling fruit to be used as food or drink