Social:The Legend of the 7-Headed Snake

Story

Once upon a time, in Bengkulu, South Sumatra, stood a kingdom known as Kutei Rukam which was led by a king named King Bikau Bermano. The king had eight sons.

At a particular point in time, the king performed a wedding ceremony for his son named Gajah Meram. The son married a daughter, Princess Jinggai who had originated from the Kingdom of Suka Negeri.

Initially, the wedding ceremony went smoothly and lively. However, when Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai held the ceremony of the procession of bathing together in the holy bathhouse, namely the Aket bath which was right at the edge of Lake Tes, the bride and groom suddenly disappeared and no one knew where they were at that time.

This was heard in the palace, where the King and the empress lived. They also feel anxious because the son and his future wife have not returned to the palace at the appointed time. Because of his worries, the king ordered several commanders-in-chiefs to search for the bride and groom.

The commander-in-chiefs were shocked when they discovered that Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai were not at the bathing place. And after searching for some time by the shore of Lake Tes, they returned to the palace.

"My goodness, Your Majesty! We did not find the presence of Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai." reported one of the commanders-in-chiefs.

"What did you say? Be serious!" asked the king frantically with emotion.

"That's right, Sire. We've been exploring the area around Batu Bandung and Batu Kuning but we couldn't find them." Answered a commander with respect.

"Then where did they go?" asked the king frantically.

"My goodness, Sire! We have no idea where they went." Answered the delegates of the commander-in-chief.

Hearing the answer from the commander-in-chief, King Bikau Bermano fell silent. He was already filled with angst and anxiety over the loss of the crown prince and his future wife. The anxiety started to escalate, he walked here and there, stroking his white beard.

"Treasurer! Gather all the army chiefs and the royal family right now!" the king ordered.

It didn't take long for the commander-in-chief and the royal family to gather.

"Oh, my people! Is there one of you who knows the whereabouts of my son and would-be daughter-in-law?" asked the King firmly.

No one can answer the king's question. The atmosphere turned very quiet. In the silence, suddenly a Tun Tuai (old man) who was a relative of Princess Jingai from the Kingdom of Suka Negeri finally opened her voice.

"Yours sincerely, Sire. If allowed, I want to say something." said a Tun Tuai.

“What is it, Tun Tuai! Do you know their whereabouts?" asked the king curiously.

"My goodness, Sire. As far as I know, Gajah Meram and Princess Jingga were kidnapped by the Snake King who reigned under the Lake of Tes” Tun Tuai replied respectfully.

"The King of Snakes is very powerful, Sire! He is also very cunning, cruel, and likes to disturb humans who are bathing in Tes Lake'' he added.

"Is what you say true, Tun Tuai?" asked the king to make sure.

"Yes, Sire." Tun Tuai replied politely.

"Then right now we have to save my son and future daughter-in-law. We don't drag on in this sadness." the king commanded firmly.

"But how, Sire?" asked a commander.

The King was silent. The confusion began to creep into him. He was confused about how he could free his son and future son-in-law from the cruel Snake King.

"My goodness, Father!" said Gajah Merik, the youngest son of the King.

"What is it, my son?" asked the king, looking at his youngest son.

"Let me save his brother and future wife from the Snake King," said Gajah Merik to his father.

Everyone who was there was very surprised, especially the King. How could his youngest son who was only 13 years of age at the time have the courage to fight the Snake King?

"Is my son really capable of fighting that Snake King?" asked his father.

"Yes, Father!" answered Gajah Merik.

"What will you do later, my son?" Even your older brother who is an adult can't do anything against that Snake King." explained the King to Gajah Merik.

"Oh dear, Father! I, your son, wanted to tell my father, mother, and everyone present here that, since the age of 10, I had dreams of a grandfather who taught me almost every night about magical arts" told Gajah Merik.

Hearing the story of his youngest son, the King smiled. He is proud of his youngest son, even though he has supernatural powers, he has never shown it off to other people, including his family.

"Is what you say true, my son?" asked the King to make sure.

"Yes, Father!" answered Gajah Merik.

"Good! Then, tomorrow we can free your brother and his future wife. With the condition, you have to go to meditate at Bandar Agung to get an heirloom weapon." said the King

"Yes, Father!" answered Gajah Merik

*****

The next day, Gajah Merik left for meditation at Bandar Agung, which is located between the villages of Merambung and Batu Kuning. He was meditating for seven days and seven nights. Even though he is only 13 years old, Gajah Merik meditates with full concentration without eating and drinking.

After enduring the restrictive practices, Gajah Merik finally obtained an heirloom in the form of a keris and a scarf. The keris has the power to make a path in the water so that the Gajah Merik can reach his destination without diving. Meanwhile, the shawl can transform into a sword.

After obtaining the two heirlooms, Gajah Merik returned to the palace. However, when he arrived at Telang Macang village, he saw soldiers guarding the borders of the Kutei Rukam and Suka Negeri Kingdoms. Because he didn't want the soldiers to see him, Gajah Merik decided to go through the Ketahun River to get to Lake Tes. By holding his treasure, Gajah Merik was able to walk in the water as if he were walking on land, and he didn't make the slightest contact with water.

Initially, Gajah Merik intended to return to the palace, but when he arrived at Lake Tes, he changed his mind to immediately look for the Snake King. Gajah Merik immediately dived to the bottom of Lake Tes. It didn't take long until he saw where the Snake King was hiding.

He saw a gate in front of the entrance of the biggest cave. Without thinking, he went straight to the mouth of the cave. However, just as he was about to enter the mouth of the cave, he was suddenly blocked by two large snakes.

"Hi, human! Who are you? How dare you enter here!” threatens one of the guardian snakes.

"I am Gajah Merik, I came here to free my brother." Gajah Merik replied firmly.

"You are prohibited from entering!" said the snake.

Gajah Merik felt challenged, so there was a fierce fight between Gajah Merik and the two guard snakes. At first, the snake was able to fight against Gajah Merik, but a few moments later they were defeated by Gajah Merik.

After that, Gajah Merik continued down the cave passage until he entered the cave. He passed through every door and was always confronted by two large snake guards. However, Gajah Merik has never lost against these snake guards. When going through the seventh door, Gajah Merik heard a voice laughing out loud.

"HA… HA ... HA .., human child, human child!"

"Hey, Snake King, get out of your hiding place if you dare!" challenge the Gajah Merik.

Feeling challenged, the Snake King hissed. His hiss created smoke, and the mass of smoke turned into a giant snake.

"Great! You're a kid. Not a single human being dared to enter my palace. Who are you and what is the purpose of your presence?" asked the Snake King in a booming voice.

"I am Gajah Merik, the youngest son of King Bikau Bermano of the Kutei Rukam Kingdom." Gajah Merik replied firmly.

“Let go of my brother and his future wife right now! Or I destroy this palace." threatened Gajah Merik.

“HA ... HA ... HA…, you little kid! I will release your brother and future wife, but you have to fulfill my conditions." said the Snake King.

"Good! What are the conditions?" asked Gajah Merik firmly.

“First, you must revive all my guards who you killed. Second, you have to beat me." replied the Snake King, laughing out loud.

"Very well, if that's what you want, you devil!" cried Gajah Merik.

With his supernatural powers, obtained from his grandfather who came to his dream almost every night, Gajah Merik was able to bring back the guardian snakes that had died earlier. With just one stroke of the snakes' eyes, Gajah Merik can restore them to normal.

“I really admire you, little boy! You have fulfilled my first condition. But you definitely can't fulfill my second condition. You won't be able to beat me!" said the Snake King arrogantly.

"Just show your supernatural powers, if you dare, you devil!" said Gajah Merik defiantly.

Without thinking, the Snake King began to wag his tail at the Gajah Merik. Gajah Merik, who had been preparing for a while, nimbly avoided the Snake King's first attack. Hence, a fierce fight began. The two of them took turns issuing their respective mainstay moves.

"Ouchhh... This hurts so much!" screamed the Snake King enduring the pain.

Seeing the Snake King who was already helpless, Gajah Merik took a few steps back in case of another attack from the Snake King.

Hearing this confession, Gajah Merik rushed to free his brother and his future wife from a room that was locked by the Snake King.

Meanwhile, all the people in the kingdom of King Bikau Bermano were worried because the youngest son had not returned to the palace for two weeks.

Therefore, the King ordered the commander-in-chief to follow Gajah Merik at Tepat Topes. However, before the commander-in-chief departed for Tepat Topes, one of them was assigned to guard on the shore of Lake Tes.

Before long, the commander who was assigned to guard the Lake of Tes hurried back to the palace.

"My goodness, Sire! Gajah Merik has returned safely with Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai." reported the commander.

"Ah, how is that possible? Isn't Gajah Merik still mourning at Tepat Topes?" asked the King to make sure.

"My goodness, Sire! I was on guard in the lake and suddenly I saw the appearance of Gajah Merik accompanied by Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai. Apparently, after being imprisoned for seven days and seven nights, Gajah Merik did not immediately return to the palace. Instead, he continued on his way to the Snake King's palace to save Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai." the commander explained.

"Ooohh I see." replied the king with a smile.

Not long after, Gajah Merik, Gajah Meram, and Princess Jinggai came to the palace escorted by several commander-in-chief's on duty. The arrival of the three of them was greeted happily by the whole family in the palace.

The news of the three of them returning spread quickly to all corners of the country, and everyone was happy too. Therefore, the King held a celebratory feast for seven days and seven nights and handed over his throne to Gajah Meram.

"Oh dear, Father! However, the most entitled to the throne of this kingdom is Gajah Merik. He is the most responsible for this country and he has also saved me and Princess Jinggai." said Gajah Meram.

“Very well, if you don't mind. Will you be the King of this palace that we are proud of, my son?" asked the King to Gajah Merik.

"Oh dear, Father! Your son is willing to be a king, but I have one wish." Gajah Merik replied, giving the conditions.

"What is your request, my son?" asked the curious King.

"If I become the king, can I appoint the Snake King and his followers to become commander in chief of this kingdom?" asked Gajah Merik to his father.

Gajah Merik's request was granted by the King. Finally, the Snake King and his conquered followers became commander-in-chief of the Kutei Rukam Kingdom. The story of Gajah Merik's adventure then gave birth to a story about the Seven-Headed Snake. The snake is believed by the Lebong community to be the guardian of Lake Tes. And the nest is in Lem Bay to the bottom of Lucuk's hut. Therefore, the people there are very careful about their words when they cross the lake, and they believe that if they converse frivolously, something bad will happen to them.

Origin

The Legend of the 7-headed Snake is a folklore that originated from the district of Lebong, Bengkulu, which is located in Sumatra.

Lebong Regency is a district in Bengkulu Province, Indonesia. Lebong Regency’s capital city is in Tubei. Lebong Regency was formed as a result of the division of the Rejang Lebong Regency based on UU No. 39 Tahun 2003.

This regency is located at the position of 105º-108º East Longitude and 02º, 65'-03º, 60º South Latitude along the Bukit Barisan and is classified as a Bukit Range area at an altitude of 500–1,000 above sea level. Administratively, Lebong Regency consists of 13 districts with 11 sub-districts and 100 villages. The total area is 192,424 Hectares (not including the area of Padang Bano sub-district which is still in dispute with the North Bengkulu Regency).

Character Analysis

King Bikau Bermano

The King has a firm yet kind attitude and was able to properly carry out his duties as a king. When one of his sons and his son's future wife suddenly disappeared, the king gathered everyone in the kingdom for a discussion. This shows that King Bikau Bermano is eager to find a solution through discussion/deliberation.

Gajah Merik

Gajah Merik is a king's son who is not arrogant and happy to help his relatives. He was able to help in the search for Gajah Meram and Princess Jinggai without thinking about any reward, which signifies that Gajah Merik is not greedy; furthermore, it shows his bravery as he had the courage to battle and defeat the Snake King.

Gajah Meram

Gajah Meram is Gajah Merik's brother who does not enjoy being in power as he is willing to give his position to Gajah Merik because he knows that Gajah Merik can wisely use his powers even though he is still very young.

Princess Jinggai

Princess Jinggai is the future wife of Gajah Meram.

Commander-in-chiefs

The royal commander-in-chiefs are hardworking and obedient to the rules and upheld a high level of courtesy. They always carried out the orders of the King, and always carried out such orders to the best of their abilities.

Tun Tuai

Tun Tuai is an elderly civilian who originated from the same kingdom where Princess Jinggai originated from. Tun Tuai dares to give an opinion in the form of facts honestly to the king, with the aim of helping the King find his son and his son's future wife. Apart from that Tun Tuai also presented a high level of courtesy towards the king.

King's Empress

The king's empress is the wife of King Bikau Bermano and the mother of the King's eight children.

Snake King

The Snake King is a resident of Lake Tes. He has a large palace shaped like a cave at the bottom of Lake Tes. He's characterized by acting very cunning and cruel. He has a supernatural power that is feared by many people.

Snake King's Palace's Guards

The palace's guards in the Snake King's kingdom have supernatural powers, but those powers can be exploited by Gajah Merik which makes the snake guards helpless against Gajah Merik. The snake guards tend to belittle others and they are very arrogant.

Moral of the Story

The story contains a plethora of moral lessons that relate to bravery and modesty. Gajah Merik, who's the youngest son of the king, possesses a great level of bravery as he's brave enough to fight the snake king even though he's only 13 years of age. When challenged by the King of Snakes, Gajah Merik does not try to escape and accepts the challenge to allow his brother and his brother's wife to escape from the snake king.

Other than that, Gajah Merik also represents a modest figure. Although he possesses a supernatural ability, he never brings attention to it.

Gajah Merik is also a person who forgives easily. Nearing the end of the story, Gajah Merik allows the snake king and his guards to become the commander of a kingdom which protects lake Tes.